Learn how to grow kiwis for fresh fruit in your garden throughout the fall and winter. Practical tips on location, soil, and care for a plentiful and free kiwi harvest year-round.
Kiwis are a fruit of Eastern origin, but their cultivation is now very common in Italy. Even in central and northern regions, you can grow kiwi plants in your garden. Just knowing all the secrets of kiwi cultivation will ensure you have the fruit available when it’s in season.
It’s important to remember that kiwifruit is a climbing plant and therefore requires very solid support structures to thrive. These support structures must last over time and be able to support the fruit-laden branches.
Growing kiwifruit produces very strong, lush plants. They can bear fruit for many years if grown properly. Kiwis love shade , so choose a spot in your garden that isn’t in full sun. Keep in mind that you can use the kiwifruit to create a pergola .
How many varieties of kiwi are there?
Of the approximately sixty species available, the green Hayward kiwi stands out as the most renowned and mid-late variety. Characterized by a brown, hairy skin and soft, green flesh with a distinctive flavor combining sweetness and acidity, this fruit is as nutritious as it is delicious. Hayward kiwi is typically harvested between October 15th and 30th, the ideal time to enjoy this delicacy.
There are also yellow-fleshed varieties, such as Actinidia Chinensis, marketed under the name Jintao. Another option is Actinidia Arguta, which produces smaller fruits with smooth green skin and aromatic green flesh. Harvest is early, between September 1st and 15th. Native to East Asia, this variety exhibits similar vegetative growth to the Hayward variety, but is less vigorous and more adaptable to various climates and soil types. It is particularly resistant to harsh winter temperatures, although its shelf life is shorter than the Hayward variety. Nutritionally, it offers a higher vitamin C and antioxidant content.
When purchasing kiwi plants, it’s crucial to consider that kiwis are dioecious, meaning there are plants with male flowers (pollinators) and female flowers (fruit-bearing). Therefore, it’s necessary to plant at least one male plant for every 5-6 female plants to ensure fertilization and fruit production. This aspect is essential when planning kiwi cultivation to ensure optimal yield and the formation of the desired fruit.
How to grow kiwi
You can plant kiwi outside the frosty season, preferably in late winter or early spring. Choose a sunny location sheltered from cold winds. Ensure the soil is not calcareous and that the roots are kept cool during the summer by watering and using mulch. Although kiwi can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F), shoots can freeze at temperatures between -4°C and -5°C (25°F and -23°F).
Prepare a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the purchased tree. It’s a good idea to prepare the hole a few weeks before planting. Mix a specific fruit fertilizer into the turned soil, possibly enriching it with homemade compost, then fill the hole with this prepared soil. If you’re planting more than one tree, be sure to leave three to five meters between each one.
Kiwis are often grown along walls, so you may need to install a trellis to allow the branches to grow and develop. If you choose to plant them on a pergola, make sure the structure is sturdy enough to support the weight of the branches and fruit.
If you decide to grow kiwifruit in a pot, remember that this isn’t their preferred natural environment. Choose a very large pot and preferably a less vigorous variety like ‘Bruno’ or ‘Solo’, or dwarf varieties, to better manage space and allow the plant to grow.
Growing kiwi in partial shade
A partial shade location is ideal for growing kiwi plants . Also choose a spot sheltered from the wind. Kiwis don’t like drought very much and prefer rainy places.
What is the most suitable soil for kiwi plants?
As for the type of soil you use , choose a soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH . Kiwis dislike alkaline or calcareous soil. A natural way to acidify the soil is to fertilize it with coffee grounds, the same trick used to grow roses . You can also enrich the soil with home-made compost made from vegetable scraps, which will serve as a natural fertilizer.
You can find kiwi seedlings to grow at your local nursery. Choose fresh, well-drained soil for transplanting and water the plants immediately. You’ll later notice that kiwi plants rely on rainfall to survive, but water the soil anyway when it feels dry on the surface, especially if you’re experiencing a drought.
Keep in mind that kiwi plants are sensitive to heat, drought, and dry weather . They prefer cool, breezy conditions.
To grow kiwifruit, you’ll need to select both male and female plants . Among the female kiwifruit plants in your garden, there must be at least one male plant if you want your kiwifruit to produce fruit.
When to transplant a kiwi plant
Transplant your kiwi plants into your garden in spring. Plan to leave about 2 meters of space between each plant. Kiwis typically ripen in autumn. You can enjoy them between October and November, keeping in mind that the plant won’t bear fruit for a few years initially.
Kiwi Plant Diseases and Pests
Kiwis are very hardy plants. They can defend themselves against pests . Therefore, growing organic kiwis without resorting to pesticides and insecticides is easy. However, if aphids or scale insects appear on your kiwi plants, turn to natural remedies as soon as possible to protect them.
Finally, when it’s time to harvest the kiwis, remember that simply twisting them slightly is enough to detach them from the plant , so you don’t need scissors. After harvesting, you can lightly prune the branches to prepare the plants for the next season.
Bacterial disease and kiwi decline
Although kiwifruit is considered a fairly hardy plant, growers have had to contend with some significant problems in recent years. Among these is kiwifruit blight (KBD), a disease caused by a bacterium that can cause branch wilt, yield loss, and, in severe cases, plant death. To reduce the risk of infection, it’s advisable to prune on dry days, disinfect cutting tools, and promptly remove affected branches.
Beware of water stagnation
Another increasingly widespread problem is kiwifruit decline, a phenomenon that affects the root system and can be caused by waterlogging, poorly draining soil, and extreme weather conditions. For this reason, it’s essential to grow kiwifruit in deep, fertile, and well-drained soil, avoiding overwatering and waterlogging, which can compromise root health.
Irrigation and climate change
Kiwis are a plant with high water needs and are particularly sensitive to periods of drought. With increasingly hot and long summers, irrigation has become a crucial aspect of cultivation, especially during the fruit growth phase. Keeping the soil consistently cool, even through mulching, helps limit water stress and achieve larger, higher-quality harvests.