My end game is to eventually have figs in the ground unprotected over-winter (zone 6).

The only 2 im aware of that can possibly do this are Celeste and Hardy Chicago. that being said, im not looking to add any that cant make it on their own during a NJ winter

@BLB....Adding more figs then subtracting a wife!

@TusconKen - Awesome post and super relevant for me...THANKS

Just added 2 Celeste to the "orchard". I think I may be done.  Between the apples, the paw paw and the figs, I may be running out of room

Ive heard Bill's figs is pricey.  Does he sell them without his watering system?

Somebody near me is selling this fig that is allegedly hardy in zone 6. They dont know what kind it is.

I should also give you guys a little background about me.  My wife and I recently moved from a 50x150ft piece of property(that included the house) to our brand new home on 2 acres. My wife loves the house, and I love the property(a win-win)

I am trying to plant things that produce food as well as look great. My blueberries are going great, except for the bird action(bird netting installed yesterday). Ive just planted 10 apple trees and 5 PAW PAW trees.

The figs are my latest addition.  The figs for me rate a very close second to the paw paw.

There are helpful responses. In regards to overwintering I have 4 options:

1:An uninsulated attached garage with a fair amount of windows(5)

2:An old basement with 1 small window that contains the heating system.

3:A new basement with super high ceilings that is separate from the old basement.

4:A shed

Also, ive read something about putting lime around the roots of the figs? Should I do that?

Thanks for the response!

Im hoping to bush them instead of letting them form a tree.

1 of them has a off-shoot about at the soil line that makes it look like a saguaro cactus, but it's a healthy branch. Thatd be the only "Weird" branch ive got

Im new to the forum and new to fig growing.

Im in NJ(Zone 6A)  After spending way too much time researching which figs to start with I purcharsed 3 Hardy chicago figs. I planted them in Miracle grow potting soil in 5 gallon pots and mulched the top.

Of the 3, 1 has developed 3 figs, the other 2 are growing like crazy but not producing figs

my eventual goal is to overwinter them outside, but that wont be until 2014.

So, a few questions:

1: Should I worry that only 1 is producing figs? Is it normal for first year figs to be fig-less?

2: Should I let them grow unchecked this year? They are only about a foot high or should I already start pinching?

3:  Should I remove the 3 figs that the one tree is producing or let it produce?

4: Im assuming that the roots wont fill a 5 gallon pot, but should I worry about potting them up or leave them be for the next 2 seasons, since they are going in the ground after that?

THANK YOU!