How to Grow Your Own Mini Orchard with These 10 Amazing Fruits That Grow on Vines

Introduction

Have you ever dreamed of having your own orchard, but don’t have enough space or time to plant and maintain fruit trees? If so, you might want to consider growing some fruits that grow on vines instead. These fruits are not only easy to grow, but also save space, produce abundant harvests, and offer a variety of flavors and colors.

Fruits that grow on vines are climbing plants that produce edible fruits. They can be grown on trellises, pergolas, arbors, fences, or even pots. They can also be trained to cover walls, roofs, or other structures. Some of them are annuals, while others are perennials. Some of them are tropical, while others are temperate.

In this article, we will introduce you to 10 types of fruits that grow on vines, how to grow them, and how to use them in recipes. Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, you will find something to suit your taste and preference.

Kiwi

Kiwi is a fuzzy brown fruit with a green or yellow flesh and tiny black seeds. It has a sweet and tangy flavor and is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Kiwi is native to China but is now grown in many parts of the world.

To grow kiwi, you need to plant kiwi vines in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. You also need to provide a sturdy trellis or pergola for the vines to climb on. Kiwi vines need full sun to partial shade and regular watering. You also need to prune them regularly to keep them in shape and promote fruiting.

Kiwi vines are either male or female. You need one male vine for every eight female vines for pollination. Alternatively, you can choose self-fertile varieties that do not need cross-pollination. You can harvest kiwi when they are slightly soft to the touch. You can store them in the fridge for up to two months.

Some recipes you can make with kiwi are:

• Kiwi smoothie: blend kiwi with yogurt, honey, and ice
• Kiwi jam: cook kiwi with sugar, lemon juice, and pectin
• Kiwi salad: toss kiwi with spinach, feta cheese, walnuts, and balsamic dressing

Armenian Cucumber

Armenian cucumber is a long and slender fruit with a dark green skin and a crisp and juicy flesh. It tastes like a cucumber but is actually a type of melon. It is also known as snake melon or yard-long cucumber. Armenian cucumber is native to Armenia but is now grown in many countries.

To grow Armenian cucumber, you need to sow seeds in warm soil after the last frost. You also need to water them regularly and mulch them to prevent weeds and retain moisture. Armenian cucumber vines need full sun and a trellis or fence for support. You also need to watch out for pests and diseases such as aphids, cucumber beetles, powdery mildew, and mosaic virus.

You can harvest Armenian cucumber when they are young and tender, about 12 inches long. You can eat them fresh or pickle them like gherkins. You can also peel them if you prefer.

Some recipes you can make with Armenian cucumber are:

• Armenian cucumber salad: chop Armenian cucumber with tomatoes, onions, mint, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Armenian cucumber soup: puree Armenian cucumber with yogurt, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper
• Armenian cucumber pickles: slice Armenian cucumber and pack them in jars with vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, dill, and garlic

Grapes

Grapes are small and round berries that grow in clusters and come in different colors and flavors. They can be green, red, purple, black, or even pink. They can be sweet or sour, seedless or seeded, table or wine grapes. Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated fruits and are native to Asia, Europe, and Africa.

To grow grapes, you need to plant grape vines in sunny and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. You also need to provide a strong trellis or arbor for the vines to climb on. Grape vines need annual pruning to improve quality and yield. You also need to thin out the clusters to prevent overcrowding and disease.

You can harvest grapes when they are fully ripe and sweet, usually in late summer or early fall. You can eat them fresh or make them into juice, jelly, jam, wine, or vinegar.

Some recipes you can make with grapes are:

• Grape juice: crush grapes with a potato masher and strain the juice
• Grape jelly: cook grape juice with sugar and pectin
• Grape pie: fill a pie crust with grapes, sugar, flour, butter, and lemon juice

Passionfruit 

Passionfruit is a round and wrinkled fruit with a purple or yellow skin and a sweet and tangy pulp with black seeds. It has a tropical and exotic flavor and is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Passionfruit is native to South America but is now grown in many warm regions.

To grow passionfruit, you need to plant passionfruit vines in fertile and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. You also need to provide a sunny and sheltered spot for the vines to thrive. Passionfruit vines need a trellis or fence for support and regular watering. You also need to prune them after fruiting to keep them healthy and productive.

Passionfruit vines are self-pollinating, but you can hand-pollinate the flowers at night for better fruit set. You can harvest passionfruit when they fall from the vine or when the skin turns wrinkled. You can eat them fresh or make them into juice, curd, sorbet, or cake.

Some recipes you can make with passionfruit are:

• Passionfruit curd: cook passionfruit pulp with sugar, butter, and eggs
• Passionfruit sorbet: freeze passionfruit juice with sugar and lemon juice
• Passionfruit cake: bake a sponge cake with passionfruit pulp and cream

Dragon Fruit 

Dragon fruit is a large and oval fruit with a pink or yellow skin and scales and a white or red flesh with tiny black seeds. It has a mild and sweet flavor and is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Dragon fruit is native to Mexico and Central America but is now grown in many tropical and subtropical regions.

To grow dragon fruit, you need to plant dragon fruit vines in sandy and well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 7. You also need to provide a sunny and warm location for the vines to flourish. Dragon fruit vines need a stake or pole for support and moderate watering. You also need to watch out for pests and diseases such as mealybugs, scale insects, fungal infections, and rot.

Dragon fruit vines produce large and fragrant flowers that open at night and last for one day. You can hand-pollinate them for better fruit set. You can harvest dragon fruit when they are fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. You can peel them before eating or make them into smoothie bowls, salsa, or pudding.

Some recipes you can make with dragon fruit are:

• Dragon fruit smoothie bowl: blend dragon fruit with banana, coconut milk, and honey
• Dragon fruit salsa: chop dragon fruit with onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, and pepper
• Dragon fruit pudding: cook dragon fruit with coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla

Gooseberry 

Gooseberry is a small and round fruit with a green or red skin and a sour and juicy flesh. It has a tart and refreshing flavor and is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Gooseberry is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but is now grown in many temperate regions.

To grow gooseberry, you need to plant gooseberry bushes in rich and moist soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5. You also need to provide partial shade for the bushes to thrive. Gooseberry bushes need regular pruning to improve air circulation and prevent disease. You also need to protect them from birds and pests such as sawflies, aphids, caterpillars, and mites.

You can harvest gooseberry when they are firm for cooking or soft for eating fresh, usually in late spring or early summer. You can eat them fresh or make them into pie, jam, or fool.

Some recipes you can make with gooseberry are:

• Gooseberry pie: fill a pie crust with gooseberries, sugar, flour, butter, and lemon juice
• Gooseberry jam: cook gooseberries with sugar and lemon juice
• Gooseberry fool: whip cream with sugar and vanilla and fold in gooseberry puree

Mouse Watermelon 

Mouse watermelon is a tiny and cute fruit that looks like a miniature watermelon but tastes like a cucumber. It is also known as cucamelon or Mexican sour gherkin. It has a crunchy and juicy flesh with edible seeds. Mouse watermelon is native to Mexico and Central America but is now grown in many warm regions.

To grow mouse watermelon, you need to sow seeds in warm and moist soil after the last frost. You also need to water them frequently and mulch them to prevent weeds and retain moisture. Mouse watermelon vines need full sun and a trellis or fence for support. You also need to watch out for pests and diseases such as slugs, snails, cucumber beetles, powdery mildew, and mosaic virus.

You can harvest mouse watermelon when they are green with white stripes, about the size of a grape. You can eat them fresh or pickle them like gherkins. You can also use them as an edible garnish or decoration.

Some recipes you can make with mouse watermelon are:

• Mouse watermelon salad: toss mouse watermelon with feta cheese, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper
• Mouse watermelon skewers: thread mouse watermelon with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves
• Mouse watermelon martini: muddle mouse watermelon with vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice

Honeydew Melon 

Honeydew melon is a large and round fruit with a smooth and pale green skin and a sweet and juicy flesh. It has a mild and refreshing flavor and is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and water. Honeydew melon is native to Africa but is now grown in many warm regions.

To grow honeydew melon, you need to plant honeydew melon vines in rich and well-drained soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5. You also need to provide plenty of sun and space for the vines to spread. Honeydew melon vines need regular watering and fertilizing. You also need to support them with a net or sling to prevent the fruits from touching the ground.

You can harvest honeydew melon when the skin turns yellowish and the stem slips easily from the fruit, usually in late summer or early fall. You can store them in a cool and dry place for up to two weeks. You can eat them fresh or make them into soup, sorbet, or salad.

Some recipes you can make with honeydew melon are:

• Honeydew melon soup: puree honeydew melon with yogurt, honey, and mint
• Honeydew melon sorbet: freeze honeydew melon with sugar and lemon juice
• Honeydew melon salad: toss honeydew melon with blueberries, mint, and lime juice

Watermelon 

Watermelon is a large and oval fruit with a green and striped skin and a red or yellow flesh with black seeds. It has a sweet and refreshing flavor and is rich in vitamin C, lycopene, and water. Watermelon is native to Africa but is now grown in many warm regions.

To grow watermelon, you need to plant watermelon vines in warm and sandy soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5. You also need to provide full sun and plenty of room for the vines to sprawl. Watermelon vines need deep but infrequent watering and minimal fertilizing. You also need to support them with a net or sling to prevent the fruits from touching the ground.

You can harvest watermelon when the bottom turns yellow and the stem dries up, usually in late summer or early fall. You can chill them before serving or make them into juice, salad, or pizza.

Some recipes you can make with watermelon are:

• Watermelon juice: blend watermelon with lime juice and sugar
• Watermelon salad: toss watermelon with arugula, feta cheese, mint, and balsamic dressing
• Watermelon pizza: slice watermelon into rounds and top with yogurt, berries, nuts, and honey

Blackberry 

Blackberry is a small and dark purple berry that grows in clusters and has a sweet and tart flavor. It is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Blackberry is native to Europe, Asia, and North America but is now grown in many temperate regions.

To grow blackberry, you need to plant blackberry canes in fertile and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7. You also need to provide partial shade for the canes to avoid scorching. Blackberry canes need regular pruning to improve air circulation and yield. You also need to protect them from birds and pests such as raspberry beetles, spider mites, and cane borers.

Blackberry canes are either erect or trailing. You need to support the trailing ones with a trellis or fence. You can harvest blackberry when they are ripe and plump, usually in late summer or early fall. You can freeze them well for later use or make them into pie, jam, or muffins.

Some recipes you can make with blackberry are:

• Blackberry pie: fill a pie crust with blackberries, sugar, cornstarch, butter, and lemon juice
• Blackberry jam: cook blackberries with sugar and lemon juice
• Blackberry muffins: mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, eggs, milk, and blackberries

Conclusion

In this article, we have introduced you to 10 types of fruits that grow on vines: kiwi, Armenian cucumber, grapes, passionfruit, dragon fruit, gooseberry, mouse watermelon, honeydew melon, watermelon, and blackberry. We have also explained how to grow them in your own garden or balcony and how to use them in recipes.