People are only just realising that you can grow your own kiwis in the UK, and a gardening expert has explained how with an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on TikTok
It turns out you can actually grow kiwis in the UK, and a gardening expert has explained exactly how.
Simon Akeroyd, who regularly shares his horticultural wisdom on TikTok, recently shared a step-by-step guide video. He began with a regular supermarket kiwi, slicing it in half to reveal its seeds.
Simon then removed some of those seeds and allowed them to dry out on kitchen roll for “a few days”. Once ready, he sprinkled them over compost in a plant pot before placing a freezer bag over the entire pot.
“Leave on a window sill and in a few weeks you’ll have baby kiwi plants,” he advised, adding that they should be “pricked out” [of the plant pot] when they produce true leaves and replanted in a larger pot when deemed necessary.
The final stage – replanting again, outdoors – comes when the plant grows full-sized leaves. “Really? You can grow these in UK?,” questioned one of Simon’s followers in amazement. He advised: “Yes kiwi are fairly hardy and usually grow okay in most areas of the UK.”
“I’m blown away by that, no way,” penned another. “I have to do this.” A third added: “Wow never thought of growing kiwis, thanks a million.”
Someone else asked: “What time of year?” Simon duly advised: “You can sow now if you have somewhere warm for them to germinate,” Simon explained. “Or spring is good too.”
Others had already experienced success, one of whom – from Somerset – commented: “I have a huge plant that grows hundreds of kiwis every year!” While a second spoke from experience: “I grew some last year and got five plants. They overwinter under an upturned plastic storage box outside. Two are planted in large pots on my south facing wall and are a good size now.”
The Royal Horticultural Society also adds a key bit of advice on its website, stating: “Varieties [of kiwi fruit] are either female, male or self-fertile. Most of the widely available varieties are self-fertile, but do check. If you buy a female variety, you will also need a male or a self-fertile variety nearby in order for it to crop. Male plants produce flowers but no fruit. If you only have room for one plant, make sure it’s a self-fertile variety.”
