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When to plant hardy kiwi in Goldendale, WA

Plant hardy kiwi vines in Goldendale Apr 21 – Jun 9.

Moderate Plant potted vines

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun to light shade
Spacing
10 to 15 feet apart
Planting depth
Same depth as in the pot
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
First fruit in three to five years

Why these dates

Goldendale's typical last spring frost is May 19. As a hardy perennial, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

How to grow hardy kiwi in Goldendale

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant hardy kiwi vines Apr 21 – Jun 9, 10 to 15 feet apart. Same depth as in the pot.
  3. Plant one male for up to eight females unless you grow Issai. Build a strong arbor or T-bar trellis. Prune hard in winter and again lightly in summer to tame the vines.
  4. Harvest: Pick in September when a few fruits soften on the vine, then ripen the firm ones at room temperature or store them in the fridge for weeks.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Males, females and Issai

Hardy kiwi plants are either male or female. Only females bear fruit, but they need pollen from a male that blooms at the same time, so plant one male, such as Meader, for up to eight females like Ananasnaya or Ken's Red. Nurseries label plants by sex because you can't tell them apart until they flower.

Issai is self-fertile, so a single vine can fruit on its own. It's smaller and less vigorous than other hardy kiwis, which suits small gardens, but it's also a bit less cold-hardy.

A strong support and regular pruning

Hardy kiwis are enormous, vigorous vines that can grow 20 feet in a season. They need a sturdy arbor, pergola or T-bar trellis built before planting; a light trellis will collapse under a mature vine.

Fruit grows on new shoots that sprout from last year's wood. In winter, cut back the previous summer's growth and remove tangled, old or weak canes. Then in summer, trim long, whippy shoots that aren't bearing fruit to keep the vine manageable. Young vines can be attractive to cats, so a wire cage around the base the first year helps.

Frost, harvest and storage

The dormant vines are very cold-hardy, but tender new shoots and flower buds are killed by late spring frost. Avoid low spots where cold air settles, and cover young vines on frosty spring nights. A vine that loses its first flush of shoots usually regrows but won't fruit much that year.

Pick in September when a few fruits soften on the vine. The firm ones ripen at room temperature in a few days or keep for weeks in the refrigerator, so you can ripen small batches as you go.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Goldendale, WA?

Typically May 19. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 9. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Goldendale.

Is it too late to plant hardy kiwi in Goldendale?

The spring planting window runs through June 9. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer.

How long until I can pick hardy kiwi?

First fruit in three to five years. Pick in September when a few fruits soften on the vine, then ripen the firm ones at room temperature or store them in the fridge for weeks.

Do you need a male and female hardy kiwi?

Yes, for most varieties. Plant one male for up to eight females. Issai is the exception: it's self-fertile and fruits on its own.

Can you eat hardy kiwi skin?

Yes. Hardy kiwis are grape-sized and fuzzless, with smooth, thin skin you eat along with the fruit. They taste like a sweet, intense version of a grocery-store kiwi.

Why isn't my hardy kiwi fruiting?

Young vines often take three to five years to start. Other common causes are a missing male plant, a late frost that killed the flower buds, or a male plant that blooms at a different time from the females.

Also plant in Goldendale around the same time

Planting dates for hardy kiwi in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Goldendale · Hardy kiwi in every city