Growing Hops in SEPA

Hops will grow just fine in SEPA. I have a hop plant in my backyard that is growing like gang busters (it is in its second year). This plant produces plenty of hop cones.

Make sure you plant in a sunny spot.

Cheers!

 

I grew 2 Nugget and 2 Cascade last year. Both produced cones even though they were first years. As long as you have an area that gets enough sun and can set up a trellis, you should be good to go.

FYI- Keystone Homebrew sells a wide selection of rizomes. http://www.keystonehomebrew.com/2013/01/grow-your-own-hops/

 

If you didn't alreay cut the whole bine down at harvest time, then in the fall you cut them off at the ground. The crown/rhizomes can stay in the ground over the winter. Most people recommend piling some mulch or leaves over top to help insulate them for the winter. They'll shoot new bines up in the spring.
http://byo.com/stories/article/indices/37-hops/728-grow-your-own-hops

 

(slight derail)

Anyone tried to grow them in Texas?

I was thinking of trying a rhizome or two in my bro's "valley" underneath the brew-shed/man-cave. It's sunny part of the day but partially shielded from the sun part of the day. Anyone who lives here knows the sun is brutal in the dead of summer. The soil is GREAT because it's a run-off area (and has been for a very long time). There's tons of places to grow "up" as it's literally a steep partially cliffed valley about 25 feet deep. We could string it if needed. Water would not be an issue because we'd water them as needed. I would love to see the valley covered in hop vines if it's feasible. I'd spend a few on rhizomes to find out if it's even slightly possible.

 

it's definately possible..I've been growing hops for about 18 years now here in michigan..direct hot sun they don't like very much..some are more tollerant than others, but water is a must for all...any variety that does well in the washington valley..ie willamette, mt hood, probably won't like texas much..I have good luck with my chinook during the hot sumjmer days.do a little reaserch, you should be fine

 

For Texas you need to water, and have some shade. Look up hop growing on the BYO site, the editor Chris Colby had an article on how he grows his hops in Bastrop TX. Stick with American varieties, and at that the ones from European stock don't do well for me.

The Willamette valley in OR has a mild climate, Yakima in WA is high desert with lots of sun so they irrigate.

Hops are annual above ground and perennial below ground. They need some cold weather every year, so don't try to take inside - especially since the crown will fill a 5 cu ft when well established.

 

Found it, read it, saved it. Looks like our proposed hop growing area will be nearly ideal. I'll order a couple rhizomes of cascade and see how they grow.

 

Cascade is your classic citrus-like aroma hop that is probably the most common used for American Pale Ales and IPAs. It is also supposed to be pretty resilient and prolific to grow.
BA actually has a hop chart: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/hops

This is pretty detailed: http://www.hopunion.com/17_HopVarieties.cfm

 

Yes, I have been growing a few varieties for 5 years, and this will be my sixth season. I will have to divide some come spring, so let me know if you want some rhizomes. I have come to realize that if you get hops from our area you will see yields the first year, where if you get them from elsewhere they will need a few years to adapt before you get any cones.

 

Anyone tried to grow US Goldings in SEPA? I've been trying for a few years but they don't seem to like to grow. They get lots of sun. Maybe too much? Have no problem with other types.

 

My Mt Hood hops will not die... not matter how much I neglect them.

 

I have mt. Hood and centennial that will need to be divided come spring. Where are you located?

 

Keystone Homebrew sells them about this time of year. Check their website, they usually post when they get them in and what varieties.

 

I'm going to give columbus and cascade a shot this year in Dallas TX. I have ( what I initially thought ) was the perfect spot on the south side of the house.. plenty of sun and great place to trellis... but now I'm concerned that the Texas summer sun might be a bit much for the plants... sorry for adding to the thread hijacking .