I was just surfing and found this in email communications between nafex egroups in the year 2000. It relates to fig protection in colder zones. Quoting:
 

“Bert Dunn wrote:

>We are in zone 4b, have 13 varieties of figs- all in largest pots I can handle- right now we eat figs every day or two.  In fall I leave pots  outside 'til all foliage drops- then into the back of our barely heated/poor light garage- about 40/45'F.

>Every two weeks give them a very small amount of coldest water available.

>Try not to leave garage door open too long to avoid severe freezing

>About mid Feb/first of March, in spite of temp & lousy light, new branches & green leaves start to appear, also a few brebas.

>Growth in garage  is rank & I pinch back frequently

>About first of April I move to a unheated glass porch , fertilizing lightly/increasing water supply.

>Wait for warm weather to put outside.