What Fruit Grow on Vines

As you glance over the rack of seed packets at the garden center, you may wonder “what fruit grow on vines?” Several fruits grow on vines, and most can be cultivated in the average garden. Although most crops that grow on vines need a lot of space to spread out, new varieties of bush or miniature fruits allow even patio gardeners to cultivate fruits that grow on vines.

See other fruits that grow on vines.

Most home gardeners in zones 4 through 8 can grow several varieties of melons. These fruits grow on vines and provide delicious, tasty treats.

Watermelon conjures images of Fourth of July picnics and summertime barbecues. Most varieties of watermelon need warm temperatures and a long growing period to produce fruit. They tend to grow best in zones 7, 8 and higher, where the growing season starts earlier and ends later.

Plant watermelon seeds directly into the garden after the frost free date for your region. You can also start watermelon seeds indoors about three weeks before planting them outside, but they should be started in peat pots to minimize transplant shock. Plant only one seed per pot or one seed per hole in the garden. Transplant the seedlings outside when daytime temperatures are consistently 80 degrees or higher.

Watermelon require full sun, so choose an area of the garden that is very sunny. Be sure to leave plenty of space, for most varieties need lots of room for their vines. If you plant seedless varieties, you must plant a variety with seeds along with the seedless plants in order for the seedless melons to pollinate and set fruit.

Many people find it hard to tell when watermelon fruits are ripe. To test for ripeness, look at the tendrils near the stem. They turn from green to brown when the melon is ripe. Another way to tell if your watermelon is ready to harvest is to look at the skin of the melon. It starts to look dull when it is ripe, and the area touching the ground turns yellow.

Varieties you might want to try in the home garden include:

• Early varieties: These are great for northern gardens when the growing season is short. They generally need about 75 days to mature. Try Sugar Baby, a popular sweet melon, or Yellow Doll, a watermelon with yellow flesh.
• Regular varieties: These mature in about 85 to 90 days and come in red, pink and yellow flesh varieties. Choose Crimson Sweet, a red-flesh variety that produces watermelons around 20 pounds each, or Madera, which produces smaller melons around 14 pounds.
• Heirloom watermelons: Many gardeners enjoy heirloom varieties for their hardiness and unique qualities. “Moon and Stars” is an heirloom watermelon so named for its yellow “moon” and smaller “star” markings on the fruit.

Many other varieties of melons grow on vines. These include honey dew melons, cantaloupes, musk melons, and other sweet melons. There are many types of melons available to the home gardener, each promising sweet, delectable fruit. All grow on vines varying from 20 feet long to smaller types that can be grown in containers.

When choosing other types of melons, experiment. Some produce small, almost individual-sized fruits, while others promise massive giants. As with watermelons, you can either start the seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost-free date, or plant seeds directly into the garden once the daytime temperatures hit 80 degrees consistently. Plant in full sun in moist, well drained, rich soil.

Another fruit that grows on vines is the grape. Like many other fruit crops that grow on vines, grapes also need warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine to ripen. They like to be planted on south-facing slopes, with the wind at their back or sheltered from the wind by the slope. Grapes need supports for their vines. Unlike melons, grape vines need to grow up and over a support, such as a wire or trellis, to allow the fruit to hang free to ripen and pick.

Grapes also need very well drained, deep soil. They hate to have their roots wet, so be sure to plan them away from any standing water.

Choose grape varieties suited to your growing zone. You can plant them on arbors or trellises too, and enjoy the shade from their foliage while the fruit develops. Check with your local state and county cooperative extension office for specific varieties suited to your local growing area.

Most fruits that grow on vines are easy to grow and cultivate. However, certain pests are common. These include:

• Cucumber beetles: Not limited to cucumbers, the cucumber beetle likes to attack any vine. Striped and spotted beetles attack watermelons and other types of melons. The adults attack shoots and leaves and hide on the underside of leaves. Organic controls include planting vegetables and flowers that naturally repel the pests, such as calendula, catnip, broccoli and radish. Sticky traps and row covers will also help control these pests without the use of harsh chemicals.
• Fungi and molds: Powdery mildew and other molds and fungi attack the leaves, turning them brown, white or spotted. Changing watering habits often helps. Water plants in the morning to allow the water to evaporate off of the leaves. Grapes are especially susceptible to powdery mildew. Organic controls include liquid seaweed and sulfur sprays.

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