How to grow Kiwifruit

How to grow kiwifruit in a garden

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Vines prefer a mostly north facing position with protection from harsh winds and scorching sun.

Enrich the soil with organic material such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball.

Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed.

Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

During the growing and fruiting/flowering season apply Yates Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food. During the dormant stage apply Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Growing tips

Potted kiwifruit vines can be planted year round however do best when planted from late autumn to early spring while dormant.

Kiwifruits require both a male and female vine to produce fruit. One male vine can pollinate up to 5-7 female vines.

Kiwifruit flowers are pollinated by bees and wind. Growing lots of flowering plants in your garden helps attract bees and other pollinating insects and improve kiwifruit harvests

Kiwifruits dislike having wet feet. Try to avoid overwatering and ensure that the soil is well draining.

Kiwifruit are very vigorous vines that need a lot of space to grow. Each vine will need around 5m of space on a strong support like a fence or pergola. Vines will need regular pruning to keep them under control and improve fruit production.

Kiwifruit do best in climates with warm summers and cool winters with sufficient ‘chilling hours’. In warmer zones, look for ‘low chill’ varieties of kiwifruit that will still fruit successfully.