Written by Benedict Vanheems, 20 September 2018
During my university years, I had the privilege of interning at a garden store in Portland, Oregon. Little did I know, I had landed in the heart of America’s craft beer scene. Today, Portland boasts more than 50 craft breweries, producing beers that rival the best Belgian and German brews (though, in my humble opinion, English beers still have the edge!).
Both England and the Pacific Northwest of the United States share a long history of hops cultivation and brewing excellence. The Willamette Valley in Oregon, with its ideal climate, is perfect for growing hops. In England, the Southeast and Herefordshire are known for their hop-growing traditions. Hops thrive in regions with mild summers and cool winters, which is why they flourish in these areas. Despite the cold, hops are surprisingly hardy, with roots that can survive temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and grow well in USDA zones 3 to 8.
Planting Hops
To grow healthy hops, choose a sunny spot in your garden. Full sun ensures strong growth and the best-flavored cones. Plant hops in the autumn or early winter, or wait until early spring if your soil freezes solid during the winter months. Hops are available as pot-grown plants or rhizomes. Purchase from a reputable supplier and select disease-resistant varieties. Space your plants at least 1.2 meters (4 feet) apart, and plant them in well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure. After planting, apply a thick mulch to retain moisture and improve soil quality.
Providing Support for Hops
Hops are vigorous climbers, reaching heights of 6 meters (20 feet) or more in just weeks. Commercial hop farms use a post-and-wire system to support the vines. In your garden, tall poles, stringlines, or a trellis will work, as long as they provide enough height. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can plant dwarf varieties that grow to half the typical height.
Training Hops
The spring growing season is crucial for training your hops. Once the new shoots are about 30 cm (1 foot) tall, select two to three of the strongest shoots and guide them onto their support. Remove any other shoots to encourage healthy growth. As the vines grow, help them twine around their supports in a clockwise direction, which is their natural tendency. Ensure good air circulation by spacing out the stems to reduce the risk of mildew and to promote abundant flowering. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites and treat them promptly.
Harvesting Hops
Hops are ready to harvest from late summer to early autumn when the cones are plump and papery. When you touch the cones, they should leave a yellow powder on your fingers. You can use fresh hops immediately or dry them in a cool, shaded area before storing them in airtight containers. If you have the space, freezing dried hops is a great way to preserve them.
Caring for Your Hop Plants Year After Year
Hops truly take off in their second year of growth, and once established, each plant can yield up to a kilogram (2 pounds) of dried cones. At the first frost, the vines will die back, signaling the end of the growing season. Cut the stems back to the ground and compost the excess growth. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the crown to protect the roots from winter’s chill and to feed the plants for the next season.
Other Uses for Hops
Even if you’re not a beer enthusiast, growing hops can be rewarding. The vines provide food for caterpillars of various moth and butterfly species, and their hardy growth can tolerate some leaf damage. Freshly dried hops have a soothing, pleasant aroma. Many people use them to make “sleep pillows” by combining them with lavender. Hops also make stunning seasonal decorations, often displayed as garlands or swags in rustic pubs.
Additionally, young hop shoots can be eaten. These tender shoots, which appear in spring, are delicious when poached in lemon water, much like asparagus. They can also be used as a vibrant green substitute for spinach in recipes like fettuccini, paired with morels and wild garlic for a truly unique dish.
Have you ever grown hops? We’d love to hear about your experiences and, most importantly, how you use your harvested cones! Let us know in the comments below.