When people think about fruits, they often imagine a large orchard with trees bearing fruits as far as the eyes can see. However, even if you have a small garden or yard, you can still have delicious fruits by planting fruits that grow on vines!
Vine fruits are an ideal choice for gardens with limited space because they grow up instead of growing out. If they are given a strong base that the vine can climb up and grow around on, they will thrive even in an urban setting and bear delicious fruit.
The type of vine fruits that you can grow in your garden will depend on the climate and the soil that you have. There are common fruits such as grapes and melons, but if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with the ideal conditions, you can also grow exotic fruits such as passion fruit and kiwi!
As mentioned above, the most important thing that you need to provide any vine is a structure that it can climb on. Some vines will happily grow up a straight pole, others may need a trellis, and a few will climb right up your wall. Before you plant any vine fruit, make sure to consider what kind of space, climbing structure, nutrients, and growing conditions the plant needs to thrive in your garden.
If you are now considering growing these plants, here are some of the best fruits that grow on vines for your garden:
Grapes
Grapes are one of the quintessential fruits that grow on vines. If you think of grapes, you probably think of Napa Valley in California or the grape growing regions of Italy such as Tuscany or Lombardi. However, did you know that you can grow your grapes?
There are many grape varieties that you can choose to grow, depending on what you want to do with the fruit. You have table grapes for eating, wine grapes for making wine, and ornamental grapes for décor. Grapes need trellises to grow properly, as well as loose, moist soil and warm summers. In the western U.S., European wine grapes are common, while on the eastern seaboard, you’ll find concord grapes.
Tips for Growing Grapes
Here are some tips for growing grapes properly:
- Grapes are slow growers. They need at least two growing seasons before they bear fruit.
- Make sure that your soil has good drainage! Rocky and sandy soil are great places for grapevines to grow.
- Grapevines need a LOT of space. Make sure to space out your trellises properly as some varieties need as much as six feet between each plant to thrive.
Passion Fruit
If you live somewhere with a warm and sunny climate, growing passion fruit is a great choice. Passion fruits are not common in the USA, but you can generally find them at farmer’s markets and specialty grocery stores. You can eat the fruits fresh or use them to make jam, juice, or baked goods.
Take note that passion fruit plants can grow up to 15 feet high if they are supported well, and they have abundant nutrients! You may need to learn how to prune your passion fruit so that it can continue bearing fruit without growing to overwhelming proportions.
Tips for Growing Passion Fruit
Here are some tips on how to grow passion fruit properly:
- Passion fruits need a lot of sunlight to grow properly, so make sure to set up your post or trellis somewhere bright and sunny.
- Passion fruits can get waterlogged easily. The soil that you plant it in should be loose, light, and drain well. However, the root systems are shallow, so you need to water the plants frequently.
- Passion fruits grow quickly, and you can harvest fruits in as little as 2-3 months from planting if the conditions are right.
Melons
Melons are one of the immensely popular fruits that grow on vines. Some of the varieties include honey rock, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Since there is a wide choice of varieties, you can choose the variety that suits your climate and soil conditions.
Unlike other vine fruits on this list, melon plants tend to grow outward and can take up a lot of space in your garden. However, you can still grow melons vertically as long as you build a durable trellis and create a structure to support the melons as they grow on the vine. Of course, if you opt to grow your melons vertically, you’ll need to choose smaller-growing varieties.
Tips for Growing Melons
Here are some tips on how to grow melons properly:
- Soil conditions are critical to healthy melons. The soil must be moderately compact, aerated, well-drained, and has a neutral pH. Otherwise, your melons will not grow properly.
- If you live somewhere with insects or rodent pests in your soil, you should consider growing your melons on a trellis to prevent pest infestation.
- You can make cheap, DIY melon supports by using old pantyhose or stockings to make slings.
Kiwi
Kiwis are not widely grown in the USA because they need very specific climates to grow properly. The climate must be temperate but with a long period of bright sunny days. The kiwifruit is the more commonly grown and eaten variety. You need a trellis and a wide space to grow this kind of kiwi.
Aside from particular climate requirements, kiwis also have very specific requirements when it comes to soil and water. The soil must be well-draining, slightly acidic, and deep. They are also sensitive to fertilizer and pesticides.
Tips for Growing Kiwi
Here are some tips for growing kiwi:
- Kiwi plants can grow very quickly, so you need to learn how to prune!
- Kiwi plants are can up to 30 feet a year.
Conclusion
If your home has a small garden or yard, planting fruits that grow on vines allows you to have fresh fruits and beautiful plants in the limited space that you have. However, make sure that you research the needs of each vine fruit properly before you start planting any of them so that you don’t waste your time and resources. Know more about fruit vines.