How does fruit grow?
Soft fruits, like strawberries, grow on small plants above the ground. These fruits are quick and easy to grow and are perfect for gardens of any size. Other fruits, like apples, grow on trees. These fruits can take longer to grow and need a lot more space, as trees can reach up to 20 feet tall!
Where does fruit grow?
Many fruits like strawberries and apples can be grown in the UK during the summer months when the weather is warm. Other fruits, like oranges and bananas, must be grown in warmer, more tropical climates. Here are some examples of where different fruits are grown:
- Mango - Mango trees grow in many tropical places around the world, such as India, Africa, Central America, South America, and China
- Pineapple - The majority of pineapples come from Latin America, with 84% grown in Costa Rica
- Banana - Bananas grow in warm countries across the globe including India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador
Soft Fruit vs. Hard Fruit – what’s the difference?
When we talk about soft and hard fruits we’re not talking about their firmness. Instead, these terms describe the way the fruit is grown, handled, and stored. For example, soft fruits can spoil within a few days, whereas hard fruits can sometimes keep for weeks.Let’s have a more in-depth look at the difference between soft and hard fruits
Hard Fruit
- Hard fruits grow on trees and are typically larger than soft fruits. Many hard fruits also have seeds and stones
- Hard fruits include apples, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, pears, plums, cherries, and mango
Soft Fruit
- Unlike hard fruits, soft fruits don’t grow on trees. Instead, they grow on bushes or plants. These fruits typically have soft skin and are smaller in size
- Examples of soft fruits include strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, and grapes