Grapes
Grapes are woody perennial vines that will grow best in full sun. You’ll want to pick a variety that will grow in your climate zone and meet your needs, be that creating an arbor, eating out of hand, or making jelly. Buy root starts or potted vines and plant them as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. If planting roots, soak them for 3 to 4 hours prior to planting. Dig a hole large enough to spread out the root system, and bury vines with the lowest bud just above the surface of the soil. You can amend the soil with some compost if it is poor quality, but mulching is not recommended because it keeps the roots too cold. The vines will need a structure to climb, so plant them next to a fence, arbor, or trellis. Fruit will grow on new stems, not old ones from the previous year, so it’s important to prune every fall.
Kiwi
It may surprise you that growing a kiwi vine is easily possible in North America as long as you pick a winter hardy variety suitable for your climate zone. You’ll need at least two vines- one male and one female (although one male for every 6 females works as well). Plant your vines in an area that receives full sun along a structure for the vines to climb and remember to prune them. Unlike grapes, kiwis like to be mulched with with 8cm (3”) of compost or shredded leaves.