Kiwis in the Garden

WHO DOESN’T LOVE the thought of growing fresh, healthy, pesticide-free fruit? And while we’re on the subject, why not consider growing something you don’t find in most backyard settings, something that’ll really wow your visitors? Why not consider kiwis?

GET TO KNOW KIWIS

Kiwi plants are rampant woody vines, at home in lightly shaded woods and clearings, or on trellises and pergolas. They have large, attractive, glossy-green leaves and small, fragrant flowers hidden among their foliage. You’re forgiven if you think the kiwifruit is a tropical crop, unsuitable for growing in the United States. After all, it comes from New Zealand, right? Surprise! While New Zealand is one of the top producers of kiwifruit, kiwis don’t hail from Down Under. The kiwi family, which has about 50 species, comes from eastern Asia, specifically China, Korea, Siberia, and possibly Japan. In fact, China produces the most kiwifruit each year — a mind-blowing 2 million tons.

So how did an Asian