Did you know you can grow: Kiwi

Propagating young nursery plants is the best option for growing kiwi, as seeds are not always true to type and take much longer to grow. Young plants can be found at some plant nurseries or online.

Kiwi are vining plants and can grow rapidly up a trellis, arbor, fence or wall, but may require some training.

UGA Extension recommends a T-bar trellis for the best growth and fruit production. One or two trellises should support a basic home gardening operation, with one for the male plant and one for the female plant. Space kiwi plants and their trellises about 15 feet apart.

Kiwi plants require some training and pruning to properly grow on a trellis. Allow the trunk to grow upwards until it almost meets the wire, then pinch out the top bud and train two shoots in opposite directions down the wire. As the plant grows, gently wrap the vines around the center wire with degradable string, tape or cloth.

Branches of the kiwi typically only produce fruit once. After each season's growth is done and new branches have grown, last year's branches can be pruned.

For more detailed pruning information, read the kiwi section of the "Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia "resource from UGA Extension. To learn more about trellising, check out viticulturist Sarah Lowder's "Introduction to Wine Grape Trellising, Training, and Pruning Terms."