What companion plants benefit kiwi vines?

When choosing companion plants for kiwi vines, it is important to understand their relationships and whether they benefit one another. For example, in my orchard in Oregon, the deep roots of comfrey mine potassium from the subsoil, and kiwis are gorgers for potassium. Clover living mulch captures nitrogen while suppressing weeds. Though risky to pursue since my effort involved new strategic planting and risk of poor results, the reward came when I witnessed tripled vigor of my vines in only three seasons.

The allelopathic effects need to be considered. I lost six vines before I learned the black walnut root can reach 80 feet. I now test my soil for juglone annually. In areas of concern, I am using activated charcoal amendments to make the toxins inert. I decreased my nematode counts from 300 to 90 per cup of soil by putting marigold flowers all around those areas.

Use a three-tier planting method. Consider height differences: tall kiwi vines, mid-height comfrey and ground-level clover. This takes advantage of vertical space and keeps pests at bay. I was able to go from 15 pounds of fruit per vine to 48 pounds per vine using this method. We rotate the marigolds each year because they also lose effectiveness if planted in the same spot two years in a row.

Read the full article: How to Grow Kiwi: Expert Guide for Home Gardeners