The Steps of Growing Your Very Own Hops Created by Ryan Quinn

Step 1: Location  Select a sunny location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. A south- facing location is ideal. The planting site needs ample room for a large trellis to support the mature hops plant.

Step 2: Cultivation  Add abundant aged manure to the soil. The soil should feel crumbly to the touch. The planting site must be well-draining because the hop plant will not tolerate standing water around its root system. A soil pH of 6.5 to 8.0 is preferred.

Step 3: Planting  Plant hops rhizomes 4 inches deep in a 1- foot-high mound of soil in the spring. Plant the roots of the rhizome facing downwards. Plant rhizomes 3 to 5 feet apart, depending on the variety.  Mulch around the hop plant with 2 to 3 inches of mulch. Use peat moss, bark chips, or straw.

Step 4: Building a Trellis  Erect a large, sturdy trellis next to the hops. Many people use a strong fence line as a trellis or poles with rope woven between them.

Step 5: Pruning  Choose the largest stems from the plant to begin training on the trellis. The stems always grows in a clockwise direction. Attach the hop stems by weaving them into the trellis or attach them with a light cotton string. Over the course of approximately a week the hop plant learns to climb the trellis on its own. Only allow the strongest and healthiest shoots to climb the trellis. Prune the weak shoots off at ground level.

Step 6: Watering  Water the hops plant regularly. The plant should never be allowed to completely dry out. In warm climates, daily watering might be required as the plant is a heavy drinker. Use a drip-irrigation watering system or a soaker hose so the foliage of the hop plant does not become wet. Wet foliage can cause powdery mildew.

Step 7: Fertilization  Fertilize three times from March to July using nitrogen. Apply 3 pounds for every 1,000 square feet of garden space.

Step 8: Harvesting  Hops will mature and be ready for harvest in mid-August to September. If these are first year hops, expect a small harvest. They use most of their energy developing their root system which makes it difficult for the cones to reach their peak yield. Expect a full harvest in second year hop gardens

Step 8: Harvesting (cont.)  A ripe, mature cone will be springy, dry and sticky to the touch, have a strong hop odor and a visible thick yellow substance known as lupulin. A cone that has not quite reached maturity will feel moist and stay compressed when squeezed. There will also be no visible yellow powder. When a cone has passed this test, cut it vertically and inspect the inside. It should be full of a yellow sticky substance.

Step 9: Cutting the Vine  When harvesting by cutting down the vines, wait until most of the cones are ripe and cut the vines two to three feet from the ground. This prevents injury to the roots and crown. Then the cones are hand picked off the vines. Dispose of the vine by burning or using for a craft project.

Step 10: Drying  Use a food dehydrator, oven, window screen or home-made dryer. Remember, good airflow is very important and the temperature of the dryer must not exceed 140 degrees F. If using a window screen, spread hops out evenly and place screen off the ground in an enclosed area free of wind, light and bugs. The hop cones must be turned daily.

Step 10: Drying (cont.)  This process should take two to three days. When the hops are dried completely and properly, they will be springy to the touch and the yellow lupulin will fall off easily. Check the central stem. It should break not bend. It is very important that the hops are thoroughly dry before storage because they can become moldy, wilted, or even rancid.

Step 11: Storing Your Hops  To store hops, place them into a plastic freezer bag or a food saver bag. Once sealed and labeled store in the freezer. Never thaw then refreeze hops as it can compromise their quality and freshness.

Step 12: Repeat  Because hops are perennial crops, the plants grow back every year on their own if you cut the vine properly and keep the soil and roots intact. The cold temperatures of winter will not have an effect on the plants. All you’ll have to do before the plants start growing again is hanging new ropes for the vines to grow on to.

The End

Sources  care-hops-plants.html care-hops-plants.html  and_Drying_Hops_s/14.htm and_Drying_Hops_s/14.htm