Figs are not difficult. They need full sun but their roots don't like getting too warm. I never had too much luck with them in pots (always leaves would sag, yellow, discolor and drop). In the ground they have been much easier. I don't protect mine (eastern NJ/Zone 7); there is some die back but not too bad after the Winter. I would also apply a layer of mulch but don't get the mulch too near the trunk as that can cause rotting damage. Don't plant them too close to the house; roots are invasive and can cause structural problems. Fairly drought tolerant ONCE ESTABLISHED but if it turns dry this year, irrigate when necessary. They prefer soils that are not excessively rich so avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.

Good advice above from Subtropix. I had a fig tree, treated it the same way, but it turned out I just couldn't give it enough sunlight due to a heavily treed neighborhood. The tree would get a few figs, but they never ripened before frost, so I finally - and sadly - removed it. Wouldn't you know, the next year hurricane Sandy came along and ripped the top off a 70' oak in our back yard ... giving me a perfect sunny location for that tree. Give your tree plenty of sun and you should have a nice harvest.

Thank you both!

@subtropix, how large and how old are your figs?

I always have trouble envisioning growth over a stretch of time. I planted one of the figs two feet from a fence, a blackberry and honeysuckle - not sure whether this arrangement will work in the long run. It gets sun all day and I mulched after reading your advice.

I have three. One in the southern front exposure is about five feet across, 5-6 feet tall. I planted it 2 years ago (grew fast). I have one two in a western site about 5 feet across 5 feet tall. Also planted about 2 years ago and plants were not too big when first planted. This year all are looking good but I am having bug issues with a lot of my herbs for some reason (rosemary, oregano, and even the mint).

I am near the jersey shore. I also bought a fig from someone's backyard last fall. It was a brown turkey. I was expecting that it would fruit but it seems that it is only putting leaves now. Can someone advise how I should protect it for winter? I don't want to dig it up to overwinter inside.

i also got a black mission bush from someone in the spring. It is a big bush but only maybe 18" tall. There are a fee figs forming now. I know black mission I should not as cold hardy and I have to overwinter in the garage.

Any advise welcome. Thanks.

Leave it in the ground; it will overwinter just fine.