Mother Nature is the boss. We try like hell to honor her, learn from her, submit to her authority — without complaints! But damn it! We desperately want these new kiwi leaves to be able to endure the frost, expected tonight! Yep!  29°— comin’ right up!

Here’s the kiwi now, with new sprouted leaves, and you can see the old withered ones from a month ago as well.

We love this plant, not only for its fruit, but for the way, when fully leafed, it shelters and shades the front porch.

My question: will these leaves, since they are the second to sprout this year, be “stronger” than the first? I.e., will the plant suddenly learn how to handle this type of unexpected adversity?

Housemate Dan is going to heap leaves on the roots today (along with covering vulnerable squash). We’ll see if that helps.