Kiwifruit – a sweet treat to grow & eat

This is probably my second all time favourite fruit after wild blackberries. Kiwis are packed full of antioxidants and Vitamin C, are truly delicious and yes, we have one in our garden which actually produces a sweet edible fruit. It bears little resemblance to the store bought (furry) variety as our kiwi produces grape size, smooth skinned fruit. Over the years we have grown some of our other favourite fruits such as figs, red raspberries, Italian plums and finally a lemon tree. But this article is about our learning experience growing Kiwi for fresh eating and preserving.

Hardy Kiwifruit

We have totally neglected our sole kiwi for many years and moved it from home to home several times. It has survived and even appears to thrive on our indifference. As much as I think wisteria and clematis are lovely flowers to grow on a trellis, several kiwi vines with their fragrant flowers would be my first choice to trellis – along with a grape or two if we had the yard space.

What kind of Kiwifuit to grow

The name tag states the kiwifruit is called Arctic Kiwi and is a self pollinator;  it has survived several very cold, snowy winters (in a container) and still appears to flourish. Check out varieties at your local nursery and purchase a vine which will thrive in your area.

Where and how to grow Kiwi

• Loves sun but will tolerate a little shade
• Loves trellis – grows like mad – perhaps 10 to 15 feet per year (label states 30 feet is mature height)
• Every year (as our kiwi is grown in a large container) it is cut back
• Label states it also tolerates poor soil
• Arctic Fox Kiwi is a self pollinator so only one vine required
• The Arctic Kiwi label states it is hardy up to Zone 3 which is -34 to -40 Celsius here

Diseases of Kiwifruit

We have been growing (and moving) our Kiwi vine for about four years and the major concern has been its vigorous growth more than anything else. It does not appear to have any diseases and most insects leave it alone.  So no pesticides needed.

Kiwi Nutritional Value

Kiwifruit has loads of Vitamin C and also E and A as well as fiber and is a flavonoid antioxidant.

We think kiwifruit is best consumed fresh off the vine ~ it will keep for a few weeks in your refrigerator; if you have a bounty it can be made into a lime green colourful jam for a unique homemade Christmas gift. Kiwifruit fits perfectly into our Lifestyle criteria of easy to grow, minimal care and healthy to eat. The bonus being no chemicals required.  The perfect reason to grow Kiwifruit if you have the room in your home garden!

Notes & Links

• The fruit from our Kiwi variety sort of looks more like a large green Chinese gooseberry, which it is related to, but the taste and nutrition are all there.
• All about kiwifruit - the little fruit packed full of nutrition
• If buying Kiwi from the store it is on some lists of fruit with lowest levels of pesticide residue -  a good thing

A garden is never boring ~ Liz