I received an interesting tip while visiting with someone with years of fig growing experience in zone 5/6 (a small micro-climate on his property probably pushes it to zone 6). Extending the growing season is our goal so that figs get an earlier start in the spring and if possible, push the season a bit in the fall so fruit will ripen.

He discovered a technique by accident that is worth examining. If I remember correctly, he covered up some figs with a blue tarp (the basic polyethylene blue tarp found at your local hardware store) to protect them from a spring frost and forgot about one of them on one part of the property. He discovered a few weeks later that the fig(s) underneath had not only survived the freeze but had completely leafed out. The leaves had also 'hardened' off - when the tarp was removed, the sunlight did not burn them.

He has since refined this technique a bit. Apparently something about the wavelength of light that came through this color of tarp was enough to harden off the leaves. He recommended trying this technique to wake up figs in the ground or in pots. One must make a frame of sorts to support the tarp and it is critical that it be sealed around the edges or else the cold air will get in. He also said that when it was getting below freezing, he would put a kerosene heater inside just to make sure the tender new leaves were not damaged.

This technique is only to be used in the early spring forward and for possibly extending the season a bit. Since the tarp is thin, it will not hold heat very well and will likely only provide an additional 10 degrees or so of warmth - with added heat of course for the cold nights. Normal winter protection measures should be employed otherwise.

I have not experimented with it yet but will try it out next season.

I saw farmers using this technique to grow corn. They use white colour sheets & lay them over their crops in the ground. These are long strips of plastic sheets & they are not even anchored as I could see the winds lifting them exposing the plants. My friend with his own made greenhouse said the same thing, it brings the temperature a few degrees up & the fig plants respond very well. Worth a try next year for those fig plants that I can't put into my self made green house.

Otawan:The Plastic Enclosure works only in the Fall,to finish the ripening of the figs.
It should be installed on,only in anticipation of the first freezing.
That is when it helps.

ottawan_z5a ,

my case: several years ago i bought cold frame tent in walmart for about $85.00. i forgot the measurements but could be 4'Wx6'Lx5'H? it saved my figs many, many times from those surprise elements like freezing rain , very cold winds, early spring burning sun rays, more moist place for rooting cuttings during summer and very probably important thing to many of us earlier ripening of figs.

i keep some identical figs under cold frame and some outside the tent. those ones under the tent are ripening already while those ones outside the tent still "virgin" .
it tells us: cold frame is beneficial in ripening the figs.

those HUGE one i posted recently were kept under the cold frame and they came very early although i live in a cold region. also, my Celeste which is under the tent is ripe and Celeste outside the tent is NOT ready.
that is my experience.

***** also, cold frame helps me to snuggle with my wife.