Leave several inches of the tip exposed. In the early spring, remove and transplant the new plant. You can also purchase bareroot or container-grown stock. Although drought tolerant, figs need 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation for good growth and fruit production. Annual applications of straw or other organic mulches to a depth of 4 to 6 inches is beneficial for moisture conservation and winter protection of potential replacement shoots near the root collar.
Figs require little to no fertilization.
Heavily fertilized fig bushes are more prone to cold injury. If you notice a milky, latex-like material, the figs are not quite ripe. For preserving, harvest the figs a few days before maturity. The milky secretion can be irritating to some persons, so you may consider wearing rubber gloves as you harvest the figs. Picking the figs before they become overripe will lessen insect and disease problems.