Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) ‘Jenny’ should be planted in fertile soil immediately upon receipt. This hardy climber needs a sheltered but sunny spot.

Make sure the root ball is well-moistened. Dig a large hole in good, loose soil and plant the root ball at the appropriate depth - the top of the root ball should be just slightly below ground level. Fill the hole with soil and press firmly down. Water immediately after planting.

Kiwi ‘Jenny’ will also thrive in a greenhouse or conservatory, in a large planter with climbing frame - an excellent place for kiwi.

Kiwi ‘Jenny’ is fast growing. Feed every spring with a mixed organic fertiliser. The flexible stems of this climber need some support - tie them along a climbing frame, a pergola or through chicken wire.

Depending on the weather, the fruit normally ripens in October and November, sometimes even as early as September. Just cut off the sweet fruits from the stems.

Kiwi ‘Jenny’ needs to be pruned

With a good pruning, you will have more and more kiwis. Prune the branches back by 40 cm every year after 21 June (take care not to remove the fruit buds that are beginning to form).

In December, after the harvest, the side shoots that have borne fruit can be pruned back to 5-6 buds. Also completely prune some of the old branches in the heart of the plant to rejuvenate it.

The kiwi usually needs both a male and a female plant to fruit. Kiwi ‘Jenny’ is a self-pollinating variety so this is not necessary.

The flowers are white and the fruit slightly smaller than ‘normal’ kiwi but are practically innumerable. The leaf itself is rather lovely to look at and both leaf, fruit and the stem are furry.

Kiwis are very good for you and contain a large amount of vitamin C! You can use them to make jam or eat in a salad.