FWIW, mine was heavily covered in leaves, and is in a protected area (next to a fence). But no chicken wire or anything but leaves. I'd go for it, myself. This is what the place I got my figs from said about it: "Chicago Hardy Fig This is one of the most prolific figs to grow in cold areas of the northern U.S. The fall fruits are born on the new canes that grow during the summer, a plant with 4 new stem growths can produce up to 150 purplish brown figs. The figs are of excellent flavor. Stem hardy to 10 degrees F (-20 degrees C), root hardy to -20 degrees F (-28 ÃÂ C)." The Belmont Farmer's Market is where I got mine last year, through "The Pomona Project: edible landscaping plants". Here is a link that might be useful: Pomona Project

Your line about "who makes the cut" has really struck a nerve with me. Let me explain. I have the strong opinion that you can do whatever you want with the photos (ie. "who makes the cut"). What you see and how you feel from the displays is all you. A display with a topic theme, color theme, or whatever theme is going to be fabulous as long as you go with your heart and your gut. I had a terrible MIL (EX now!) who actually took the time to inventory WHO was displayed in photos, HOW they were displayed, and concocted her own storylines on why I elected to leave out certain people, include others, and have some more prominent than others. She had the gall to have "sit-down talks" with me several times about my choices in displayed photos. She started sending photos with little post-it notes on where they would "look nice" & which one's I should change out. It gnawed at her to no end that I changed nothing despite her passive-aggressive instructions. I hope your family and/or friends are not the likes of the old hag I used to deal with. You should never, EVER have to explain the reasonings (themes, etc) of photos and why you display what you do. Don't want to bring a downer to this & hope I'm not making you think harder into it. This just brought back some bad memories and it's really too bad it had to go that way. End of therapeutic vent. Gayle

I put the ornaments on my tree today. Last year I didn't and it actually looked alright but today I got the boxes down and before I knew it I was unwrapping and hanging ornaments. For some reason it was a little more frustrating than usual and in fussing to hang them just right, I broke TWO favorite vintage ones. :( Whenever an ornament hits the wood floor there is total destruction - of the ornament that is. I was, and am, so sad. Had to make sure I swept up all the slivers so cats wouldn't get them in their paws. May look on Etsy to see if there is anything comparable to them. Some colors are more difficult to find than others. But I'm glad I decided to adorn this year.

with the soil looking that dry i suspect you arent watering deeply enough.. into the gob planted.. to get water down thru the root mass ... put a hose on a trickle and let it run for a few hours ... build a little moat if it just runs away ... and add a 3 to 4 foot ring of mulch around it.. to maintain the moisture you finally get down there ... advise if you have non draining bad soil ... btw.. how are you currently watering ??? even better.. take a hand trowel.. and dig a couple 3 to 6 inch holes in the gob planted.. and in native soil.. and FIND out if there is any moisture down at root level.. maybe do that first.. lol where in teh world did youget a bare root plant that large??? throw in location.. big city name also ... it is severely stressed.. moving it is only more stress ... ken