Actionable Steps for Growing Hops (2023 Guide)

Author: Saiqa Najeeb
Last Updated On: July 9, 2023

SECTIONS

Imagine growing your own vineyard of lush green plants exuding a mesmerizing aroma and versatile uses. Hops, with their captivating cone-shaped wonders, offer a world of possibilities.

Hops are not only visually stunning but also have a lot of practical uses. The distinctive shape of flowers and vibrant foliage make them a unique addition to any garden space.

This guide will be useful for successfully growing hops, from preparing the soil to harvesting.

So, are you ready to get started?

About Hops

Hops are planted as perennials that produce harvests all year long. Hops can live for up to 20 years on a twining vine. At the end of each growing season, the plant dies, and the roots that are still in the ground produce new plants the next year. The plant needs enough room so that the vine can grow vertically. It is raised on a commercial scale for its seeds, which are used to flavour beer. Male and female plants are kept apart in the garden. From late August to early September, the female cones are picked before they dry up and turn bitter and papery.

Growing Conditions

Light:

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Texture:

Loam (Silt)
Soil pH:
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Wet

Available Space To Plant:

Less than 12 inches
3 feet-6 feet

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

5a,6a, 7a, 8a, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b

Recommended Varieties for Growing Hops

When picking hop varieties, it’s crucial to pick the proper one and buy female plants. Whether you like the fragrance or bittering varieties will depend on your personal preference.

Bittering Types

Galena is the most common bittering hop with acid content of 11% to 13%.
Nuggets have a high acid content and take a while to mature but store well.
Mt. Hood has mild vigor, enhanced yields with an acid content 3-4.5%.

Aroma types

Tettnanger is early to mature with an acid content of 4-5.5%.
Cascade also matures early with spicy and floral scent acid content of 5-7%.

Steps for Growing Hops

1 Soil Preparation

Plant hops in areas where the 20-30 foot tall vine can flourish. The plant is frequently supported by a trellis. Other locations could be on a tall, long fence, on a chimney, or the side of a garage. For maximum productivity, hop plants need full light (12 hours a day), excellent airflow, and well-drained soil.

A loose loam to a sandy loam (pH 6-7.5) is desirable because soil drainage is crucial. To increase soil fertility, add 3-6 inches of well-composted organic matter and 2-4 tablespoons of all-purpose fertiliser per plant. To a depth of 6 to 8 inches, work the compost and fertiliser into the soil.

Related: Growing dill in pots.

2 Planting and Spacing

In warm climates, plant no later than mid-April; in cold climates, no later than mid-May. Dig out a small trench that is somewhat longer than the rhizome and 12 inches deep. One rhizome should be planted in each hill, with the buds facing upward and the soil 1 inch loose. Rhizomes should be placed 3–4 feet apart, with the soil thoroughly mulched. Mulch will assist keep weeds under control and retain moisture in the soil.

3 Fertilization and training

In June, side dress the plants with more nitrogen at a rate of 1/2 tablespoon (21-0-0) per plant. Each spring, amend the soil with additional composted fertiliser.

Several shoots will sprout from each rhizome. Select the two or three strongest shoots to grow when the vines are about a foot long, and cut off all other shoots. Train the shoots to grow longer by winding them clockwise as they grow, in accordance with their natural growth pattern. As you train the vines, leave some space between each one to provide better airflow, light penetration, and disease prevention. When the plants grow to a length of 20 feet, the vines will begin to develop side branches. Cones are created by these side shoots.

4 Managing Pests and diseases

Here are some of the conditions you may encounter while growing hops:

Aphids: These soft-bodied, black or green insects live on the underside of the leaves. The leaves display crinkling and curling while under aphid infestation. They produce honeydew, which makes the surface of the plant glossy and sticky. Aphids can be removed with an insecticidal soap, a pesticide, or a vigorous water stream.
Cutworms: Cutworm larvae are visible on the soil’s surface. They cut the ascending vines close to the ground, usually at night. By placing barriers and collars around the plants, cutworms can be managed. The organic mulches can also be kept away from the plant.
Spider mites: They feed on plant leaves, generating bronzing and speckles on the leaves. The plants are harmed by mites in both their adult and juvenile phases. Adults spin webs and have dark spots in the area behind their eyes. Usually, immature stages can be seen on the underside of leaves. Keep an eye out for the weeds that are harbouring these mites and pull them. You can also use insecticidal soaps or water streams.
Mildew: It causes the growing vines to discolor, wilt, and eventually die. Whether that is rainy or cold tends to bring on this sickness. Increase air circulation by trimming vines to combat mildew.

5 Harvest And Storage

You can harvest your growing hops in late August and September. Hop cones are ready when the leaves are fragrant, dry, and papery. Pick the cones over a number of harvests to make sure they are fully mature. Window screens often dry by being exposed to the sun. Depending on the temperature and humidity, this could take up to a week. Fold the cones in half to determine when they are thoroughly dry. The cone is dry if the stem snaps and the bracts break. To maintain flavour until you’re ready to use them, place the hop cones in an airtight container and put them in the freezer.

Start growing Hops Now!

By now, you have the idea of growing hops, its growing conditions, planting details, how to care for them and finally strategies for harvesting and storing hops.

Now is time to put your knowledge to action. So, don’t delay any further. Start your hops growing journey today!