PRUNING KIWI

You must prune in the summer to have the vines fruit. If left un-pruned it may take up to six years to flower. To prune, pinch back the canes as they grow from the two main lateral branches (Cordons). In the spring the canes grow quickly to 8" long. Prune these back to about 4". You may need to do this every few days or so. You can stop pruning around mid-summer.

Small Fruits, Berries, and Kiwi Growing Tips

For best results, all fruit plants should be planted in deep, well-drained soil. They should be placed in a location where they will receive full sun and have plenty of room to grow.

How to grow kiwi

Commonly known as kiwi or Chinese gooseberry, and native to certain areas of China, kiwi needs a long growing season of at least 240 frost-free days and winter temperatures no lower than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Kiwi plants need to acclimate to cold slowly because sudden temperature drops can split its bark while late freezes cause damage to buds, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers. Moreover, kiwifruit varieties have different requirements of chill days, or total hours between 32 and 45 degrees F.

Purchase a pair of kiwi plants from a local nursery. Kiwi plants require cross fertilization, so be sure to buy at least one male and one female plant. If you want more than two, plant at a ratio of 8 females to 1 male to ensure adequate cross-pollination and fruit set. 

Purchase as many pairs of cedar posts as you have plants. Also acquire as many 8-foot lengths of garden wire as you have plants.

Pick a sunny location, protected from strong winds, where the kiwi plants have space to grow across a trellis system. Kiwi prefers well-drained, slightly acid soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0 that is rich in organic material.

 

Build two single wire trellis systems by digging two pairs of 3-foot-deep holes 8 feet apart to hold the redwood posts for each plant. Mix the cement and water in the wheelbarrow, according to the directions on the bag, and pour it into the holes. Place a redwood post in each hole and let the cement harden. Run wire across each pair of posts and anchor to the posts with fence staples.

 

Dig holes for the kiwi plants, making sure to dig each hole large enough to avoid bending the roots but no deeper than needed. Mix mulch into the soil, but do not add fertilizer as the roots are sensitive to fertilizer burn.

 

Plant the kiwifruit and cover with soil. Do not mound the soil up around the kiwi plant. Water the plants well and keep the soil around the plants moist but not soggy to avoid root rot.Prune shoots to train the kiwi vine.

 

Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer during the first half of the growing season.

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Fruit Trees for Small Spaces

By Andrew M Kelly

I love the tips he gives ! 

We are continually being told, in the media and by our doctors, that we should all lead healthier lifestyles, eating more fresh fruit and taking more regular exercise. One of the best ways to do this is to grow our own produce but it is often difficult to grow fruit and vegetables in small spaces. This article takes a look at growing fruit trees in small spaces.

Fruit trees can look spectacular in any garden, as well as the incredible blooms of blossom you, of course, benefit from the annual production of fruit. By growing your own fruit it is possible to grow it organically (by not using artificial chemicals and fertilizers) which could save you a large amount of cash. Furthermore the fruit can be picked at the exact moment you wish to eat it. Fruit this fresh is far better for you as stored fruit tends to lose it's flavor and the vitamins and minerals can degrade over time.

For the health conscious amongst us you should be aware that gardening is one of the best ways to make sure that you get some regular exercise and the garden can be the perfect place to enjoy other energetic pastimes. Unfortunately most modern, urban backyards are only small spaces. Sometimes the backyard has barely enough space to have a small patio and a tiny lawn with a few flower borders. However, with a little time and effort, it is possible to create a fantastic garden design for the very smallest of backyards.

Great Source For Buying Fruit Trees

Unfortunately trees are not always the most suitable plants to grow in small spaces. In general trees tend to grow extremely large and the spreading branches and roots can end up causing some serious damage to nearby buildings and pools. Having a large mature tree in a small space can become a nightmare as the restricted space can cause problems when attempting to remove such a tree. Obviously it is far better to plant only suitable trees and shrubs in the first place.

Happily the increasing demand for smaller species of trees and shrubs has led to the development of some very interesting varieties and a fantastic selection of dwarf or compact fruit tree varieties have been created. Usually the fruit tree has its growth restricted by grafting it onto specially grown dwarfing root stock such as M9. Although the dwarf M27 root stock was once very popular the M9 stock has proved far more reliable and it has the bonus of increased yields of fruit.

You will be able to find a dwarf or compact fruit tree which grows as small as 1m but unusually they grow from between 1.5m to 1.8m. If you find that this size is still a little too large for your small backyard then you can further restrict growth by planting the fruit trees in containers. Such trees can be places on patios or sunny balconies and size can be even further reduced by careful annual pruning.

For those of us with really tiny backyards one of the most exciting developments in the horticultural world is the development of dual fruit trees. A dual fruit tree is really two different species which have been grafted onto a single dwarfing root stock. Another thrilling variety of compact fruit tree is the "midget fruit tree" which is so called because the tree has an extremely upright and non-spreading habit. The finest examples are those types are the Spur Apples which have an extreme upright habit which appears to be covered in fruit. Some types of tree can be trained to grow right up against walls and other surfaces saving even more space.

As well as compact apple trees it is possible to find dwarf compact varieties of many other types of fruit tree such as plums, pears and cherries. Other fruits include peaches and nectarines and even hazelnuts, Kiwi fruit and figs can be purchased in dwarf varieties. Even in a really small backyard it is possible to grow a large selection of fruit which not only tastes great but looks fantastic too.

If you are looking to discover more about fruit trees for small spaces visit http://www.landscapinginfo4u.com/trees/compact-fruit-trees-for-small-spaces.php http://www.landscapinginfo4u.com/ is dedicated to providing quality information about all aspects of landscape gardening. The author, Andrew Kelly, has been a keen gardener since his childhood and, now retired, he spends most of his spare time enjoying the hobby and writing about it.

Container Gardening

Growing Cantaloupes in Containers - Here are my tips

What type of cantaloupe should I choose?

Just about any variety of cantaloupe can be grown in a container, as long as the container is large enough,enough space for the vines to trail and the fruit to grow. You can even grow some of the jumbo varieties provided that you have space. With smaller spaces as most of us container gardeners are, choosing a short vining and small fruited type would be a good bet.

You may also want a variety which produces early if your growing season is short. Be sure to choose one which you think you will enjoy eating!  It makes the work worth your while when you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Cantaloupes - Container Gardening

Feeding and Fertilizer

Cantaloupes can be heavy feeders, so be sure to give them plenty of food, especially during the heavy growth phase. A good slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil will be enough for the first 6 weeks or so. After that period supplement with compost tea or additional slow-release fertilizer.

If you plant your cantaloupe in a self-watering container here is a trick which works very well. Fill your container to the top with good soil, pack down and water in thoroughly. On one long side about 1 inch from the edge, dig a trench about 1 inch deep and wide then fill it with slow release fertilizer. A good balanced 10-10-10 or 12-12-12.

More tips are available here

Cover the entire container with a plastic 'mulch' or plastic garbage bag (I used red tomato 'mulch') and secure it to the sides with clips (spring metal binder clips work great). Along the side opposite the fertilizer, cut 3 to 4 holes in the plastic.  Pllant your cantaloupe seeds an inch or so from the edge, according to the package directions. You can add a trellis to the container. Make sure the reservoir always has plenty of water. As your plants grow, train the vines up the trellis and prop the fruit in the squares as they develop.

Location

Cantaloupe love sun and warmth. Place your container in a warm location that will get at least 8 hours of sun a day.
These tips and tricks will also work very well for cucumbers, squash, and even watermelon! For larger fruits and squash, try tying the fruits to the trellis with old pantyhose - cut off a leg, slip over the developing melon or squash, and tie to the support. The hose will stretch with the fruit and when ripe, simply untie from the support.

Happy gardening !

Growing Asian Pears

Remove all weeds within a 3-foot radius of the Asian pear tree's planting area.

Dig a planting hole three times the width of the Asian pear tree's root ball and the same depth at which it has been growing. Scrape the inside walls and floor of the hole with a gardening fork to allow for easier root penetration.

Place the Asian pear's root ball in the hole. Fill the hole halfway with soil and the rest of the way with water. When the water drains, fill the hole with soil. Tamp around the base of the tree with your hands or feet.

Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch on the soil, keeping it 2 inches from the tree's trunk, in a 1-foot radius around the Asian pear tree.

Water the tree until the water puddles. Keep the soil moist until the tree becomes established.

Cut off the top of the Asian pear tree immediately after planting so that it is 25 to 30 inches tall. After the first year of growth, while the tree is dormant, choose four strong limbs, spaced around the tree, and cut off all the others. Cut the main limbs in half to create the structure of the tree. In the second dormant season, leave six main branches and cut them to 30 to 36 inches in length.

Fertilize the Asian pear tree in its second year with 1 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply half the fertilizer in the spring before new growth and the other half after the fruit sets. Scatter the fertilizer on the soil 2 inches from the base of the tree, and spread it out to the drip line. Lightly scratch it in with a rake and water the tree normally. In subsequent years, apply the fertilizer at 1/2 cup per year the tree has been in the ground, split into two applications as you did in the first application.

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