Joe,

I live just outside San Antonio. I have planted year-old fig plants in the ground this time of year with good results.Since you live near the coast, your winters are likely warmer than mine. My Celeste survived the first Winter with no protection but was killed to the ground the second. It came back with a vengeance and grew over 8'. The others were just fine. This Summer I planted current-year and older fig plants. They are doing fine too. I just mulch around them (do not let the mulch make direct contact with the plant until it is more established or it may die of mold)and water the smaller plants every 3-4 days and the larger ones weekly. I hope you really love Celeste figs because 3 plants will keep you knee deep in the near future. Good luck!

Thanks San Antonio. I do like celeste figs. Plus, they are the only ones the birds will leave alone and let me get to. I hear it's because they don't know they are ripe.

You sure we're talking about Celestes? My birds have not problem telling when mine are ripe and feasting. Celeste is a dark fig. They have trouble with green figs yet still manage to learn when those are ripe. Good luck!