Many years ago, my husband decided he wanted to grow grapes. We were living in Europe at the time in a rented home, so planting in the ground was a no-go. Instead, my husband opted for a very large container that he fitted with a trellis for the vines.

We lived close to a lot of vineyards, so we would see hillsides filled with rows upon rows of grapevines as we travelled around the region. We weren’t sure if a grapevine would grow in a container, but we decided to give it a shot.

Turns out you can indeed grow grapes in containers, and the process isn’t particularly difficult. There are a few steps to follow to ensure your plant has its best chance at success.

The first thing you need is a large container, at least 15 gallons. It should be at least 24 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Dark-colored pots heat up in the sun and can cause the roots to burn. Light-colored pots, or wood, are better alternatives. If you can only get a dark pot, try to place it so the pot receives very little sun while the vine gets full sun.

You will also need a sturdy trellis that will last. As your grapevine grows, the trellis will be required to hold a good deal of weight. The vine attaches itself to the trellis with tendrils. Tendrils are thin, threadlike shoots that stretch out from the stems of the grape vine and coil around the structure for support.

Love is in the air?

Most garden-variety bunching grapes do not require a pollinator. When purchasing your plant, know whether you have a self-pollinating plant, which will set fruit with other plants of the same kind to pollinate it, or a self-fruitful plant, which can pollinate itself. Muscadines, in most cases, must have a pollinator to set fruit. A female Muscadine will require a male flower from an alternate plant, such as the Carlos Muscadine or the Magnolia Scuppernong.

Drainage a must

Grapes will grow in nearly any type of soil, but they prefer a lighter soil composition. Drainage is very important to the success of container-grown grapes. The container will need to have adequate drainage itself plus a layer of stones at the bottom to add another layer of drainage.

Mulch me

Mulch the top of your container to help maintain soil temperature and retain water in the soil.

Once you have planted your grape, allow it to grow freely until the end of the first season. This will give the plant time to establish strong roots. Prune growth in late winter to early spring when the plant goes dormant. Prune the plant back to two lower healthy buds, which are little protrusions on the trunk. It may seem extreme, but each of these buds will grow into a new branch.

Because of the space restrictions of growing grapes in a container, it is best to keep only one or two branches growing. Grapes set on second-year canes, so it is crucial to set a cycle of pruning so every year a few new branches will grow to substitute for the old canes from the previous season.

Container-grown grape vines can stay outside during the winter, however, they will require some insulation from the elements. Choosing grapes that are hardy to our zone is important, as well as wrapping both container and vine to protect it from cold and wind. Container grapes can also be brought indoors to a warm space. Reduce watering and avoid applying fertilizers during this time.

It may take a little effort, but when you get the satisfaction of the fruits from your labor, it will all be worth it. Until next week, happy gardening.

— Irland, a member of the Limestone County Master Gardeners, can be reached at kippirland@hotmail.com. For more information on the Limestone County Master Gardeners, visit http://mg.aces.edu/limestone.