Fruits

Fruits are grown in temperate and tropical climates throughout the world. Native fruits from one region of the world have been cultivated to grow in other areas. For example, the kiwi fruit, also called the Chinese gooseberry, is native to parts of eastern Asia but is now also grown in Australia and the United States.

Climate and soil are particularly important to the growing of fruits. Both cold and heat ranges determine which fruit plants can be grown in a particular region. Because of the way fruit develops on its plant, it has specific seasonal needs. Too much rain or too little rain at certain times during the year can spoil the crop. Temperatures which are too cool can kill the flower buds of a plant, and it will not produce fruit. Each variety of fruit also needs particular amounts of water and summer temperatures in order for the fruit to ripen properly.

The specific location of fruiting plants is another important factor in the growing of fruits. Whether fruit plants are being grown in the garden or used for commercial purposes, wind, walls, hills, and other conditions that may affect the temperature a plant has to endure, need to be considered for good fruiting to take place. When citrus-growing regions, like Florida, are hit with late spring frosts, the citrus crop may become endangered.