Boz is befuddled; he, like so many other kiwi aficionados, had no idea that this delicious fruiting vine grows well in a temperate climate. Yep, these fuzzy little puppies (Boz included) are not tropical in origin or range. Vashon Island, Washington is comfortably anchored in Zone 8a, where freezing temperatures occur regularly. The kiwi thrives here.
The above photo was taken in the winter, a good time to prune. Below you can see what happens if you don’t get around to it: the kiwi vine sets its sights on consuming a farmhouse.
My kiwi vines are so vigorous and meandering, that I fear a long nap under one would result in my entanglement. My two robust vines (you need a male and a female vine) reached the attic story of my two-story house and came crashing down in a winter storm last year. It needs to be pruned and trained on a trellis. (Item 623 on my to-do list.)
Boz would regret eating this kiwi now. Picked before the first frost, it is rock hard and sour. I store them in my cold pantry and let them ripen on the counter when needed. It’s February, and they are still ripening nicely at room temperature.
I harvested about 40 pounds of fuzzy kiwis this year. Had I trellised and properly pruned, the number would have been even higher.
An under-leaf view of immature kiwi in mid-July. The wilted leaves are a result of record-breaking heat that day.
In the fall, the leaves drop and I pick the kiwi. The photo above is from November before freezing temperatures prevailed.
The kiwi seeks new ground and things to grasp. If left unchecked and unpruned, my front porch would disappear beneath its boughs.
Tips and what you should know about growing kiwis:
- Kiwis are dioecious; there is a female plant and a male plant. You need both for fruit production
- The vines are extremely vigorous.
- Minimal pest or disease problems
- Ripen best off the vine, pick anytime before a freeze
- Select a sunny site with good drainage
- Build a trellis system for best results, a very strong trellis (Do as I say not as I do.)
- Fruit grows on current season’s wood.
- Consider the Hardy kiwi which has smaller clustered fruit, is more manageable and enjoys (as its name suggests) greater cold hardiness
Related links: Growing Kiwifruit, Hardy kiwis for cold climates, Nutritional Info, Hardy Kiwis (fuzzless)
What I was blogging about a year ago: When Good Plumbing Goes Bad
14 responses so far ↓
1 June // Feb 5, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Boz cracks me up! Tom is there anything you can’t grow? What talent you have.
BTW I thought of you yesterday as I was putting up more Shaker Lemon Pie filling – I’ve lemons, lemons and more lemons.
2 Sophie // Feb 9, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Thanks for sharing this kiwi adventure!
3 renae // Feb 9, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I had no idea. Kiwis. Wow.
How do you determine whether you have a male or a female plant, especially when the plants are larger? I tried plant blue berry bushes a while back and was told to get at least four so I would *likely* have at least one of each. Is that the best way? There isn’t some anatomical/ cellular difference that can be seen? I’m clearly showing my lack of gardening knowledge here, but have wondered this for a long, long time.
4 tom | tall clover farm // Feb 9, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Renae, I can only tell the difference when I buy them, at which time I label them. Or in this case, I had two vines already planted, one with fruit and one without, so it was easy to tell.
As for blueberries, the only reason to plant four, I would say is to plant bushes that extend the harvest season. Blueberries can be early, mid, and late season harvests; it just depends on the variety. Now’s the time to find them in nurseries and plant them. They are highly ornamental and with stunning fall foilage so consider them as an edible landscape plant.
5 M.A. // Feb 12, 2010 at 3:54 pm
What’s your favorite kiwi recipe?
6 Tom // Feb 12, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Hi M.A., you know I just like eating them fresh, though I may explore jam recipes as I have some really ripe ones begging to be used.
I eat them skin and all. Just cut the stem and bottom end off and then quarter on the longitude. Great texture and flavor all in one.
7 Sustainable Eats // Feb 16, 2010 at 2:47 am
I put two hardy kiwis in last spring which did not so much for me. I tasted some last fall at the farmer’s market but I prefer the fuzzy ones. I was under the impression from reading the raintree catalog that those wouldn’t do well in Seattle?
If you say they will I might just yank out the hardy and put in some fuzzy…
8 Tom // Feb 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Annette, that’s good to know as I’ve never eaten the hardy kiwi before. And yes ma’am, fuzzy kiwi are crazy happy in our neck of the woods. Mine pulled down a one story trellis if you need further proof.
9 al richey // Feb 21, 2010 at 10:19 pm
do you have any trees for shipping at this time, as I’m looking for two trees, male/female trees. Pls. advise.
10 Tom // Feb 22, 2010 at 1:00 am
Hi Al, I don’t sell any Kiwi vines, but I know who does. Here are two great online nurseries: http://www.onegreenworld.com//index.php?cPath=6_150 and http://www.raintreenursery.com/catalog/producttype.cfm?producttype=ACTI
11 Peter // Mar 4, 2010 at 11:02 am
if you are looking for more information on USDA plant hardiness zones, there is a detailed and interactive USDA plant hardiness zone map at http://www.plantmaps.com/usda_hardiness_zone_map.php which allow you to locate your USDA zone based on zipcode or city.
12 Eric Shalit // Jun 14, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Those kiwi vines are definitely powerful and require a strong structure. It’s great that your dog loves kiwis!
13 ERVIN WATTS // Aug 14, 2010 at 12:30 am
I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH KIWI, BUT IN SOME AREAS YOU NEED TO PILE OF STRAW OR LEAVES AROUND THE TRUNK OF VINE TO PREVENT SPLITING FROM A COLD SPELL. MOST GOOD NURSERYS HAVE SEVERAL VARITIES. EDIBLE LANDSCAPES, AFTON VA. IS ONE THEY DO REQUIRE SUN.
14 Tom // Aug 14, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Good points all, Ervin. My kiwi are growing on the south side of my house, so they so up the heat in our cool climate. It’s a great choice for exposure, a bad choice for support structure. One day I’ll get that arbor made and redirect them from enveloping the house.
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