Last week, my boys and I stopped by Adriano's for a visit.
Adriano grows it as a multi-stemmed bush, cutting out stems that become too big and, therefore, less flexible.
His potted trees were outside; still dormant, but buds swelling nicely.
He showed me his in-ground Desert King fig that overwinters covered with an A-frame.
Alternative to Burying Your Fig
Thinking of growing an in-ground fig, but don't want to chop the roots and lay it flat?
The A-Frame method is another approach to overwintering figs if you're in zone that's too cold for figs to survive unprotected.
Uncovered for Spring
He says this big in-ground Desert King fig has been there for about 40 years.
He grows it as a multi-stemmed bush, cutting out stems that become too big and, therefore, less flexible.
When winter comes, he bends over the branches, and then places an insulated A-frame (made from wood and styrofoam) over the top.
Through Summer
It never fully stands upright, but instead is bent over, so that it looks as if it is praying!