“The best fertilizer is the gardener’s shadow.” — (Likely) Chinese Proverb

After freezing our buns off for a few weeks, we’ve been treated to some downright balmy weather in February with some highs in the 50s. Many of our shrubs are starting to bud out. I’ll be honest, this always scares me a bit. I don’t want them to freeze their buns (buds) off if the temperature drops again. 

We have three hardy kiwis, two female plants and one male plant. The male plant is very showy and has spread out across the garden fence like Joey from Friends. (“How you doin’?)

One of the female plants has grown into a nearby Oregon Ash tree, so let’s just say I failed to provide it with an appropriate trellis. 

The other was planted under an old clothesline. I saw a hardy kiwi on a similar structure in a local public garden and had visions of it taking over and completely obfuscating this dilapidated eyesore in my landscape. 

Instead, it sprawled. Last year, I remembered that I am the gardener and some plants need an assist. I added a wooden trellis to the center pole and tied it up. It received a generous helping of compost and some semi-regular fertilizer for fruiting plants. It took off, and we finally harvested a handful of the delicious grape-sized kiwis. 

I saw this article and realized that my clothesline makes a somewhat ideal trellis. I noticed the buds last week and said a little prayer for their continued good health. Spring is coming. And your sister across the garden will get her trellis this year. I promise.