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| Hops growing wild in Northern Italy |
For homebrewers, hop vines are the source of bitterness and aroma. For home brew-gardeners, they are also a source of a bit of horticultural wonder. The hop bines (not vines) grow up to 40 feet (13 m) in the course of a summer and, if strategically planted, can provide shade in the hottest weather. The bines die back in the fall and allow the sun to add some heat when you need it.
Hops are grown from underground stems called rhizomes. You establish your hop garden by planting bits of these stems an inch or two below the ground level -in a spot that gets at least six hours of sun a day- and then providing a place for the bines to climb. (you’ll need at least 16 feet- figure the better part of a two story house) Since the harvest is continuous, it’s worthwhile to provide a framework that can be lowered for periodic harvests and then raised again. If that’s inconvenient, be prepared to get used to very tall ladders.
Once established, hop plants are generous providers: look for between one and two pounds of hop flower cones per vines. Try to establish a balance between bittering and aroma hops that reflects your homebrewing style, but don’t neglect to plant some extras to trade with your brewing friends.
The good news is that the hops rhizomes extend themselves as the plants are established. The bad news is that to keep your hop garden tidy and productive, you’ll need to regularly unearth the rhizomes and cut them back. The really good news is that all the extra growth that you trim away can be given to friends who can start their own hop gardens. The rhizome, by its very nature, encourages you to spread the wealth and promote homebrewing as you do.
Plant your garden in well-drained, fertile soil. Don’t be afraid to load on the water and the compost. Hops grow like crazy and they need moisture, sun and nutrients to sustain that growth.
When you select varieties, remember that there are fashions in hops just like there are fashions in counter-insurgency, tatoos and family therapy. Don’t overplant a single variety whose charm may wear off in a year or two. Remember too, that hops are a culinary herb and some varieties make soothing teas and contribute to tangy soups.
If you have an established hop garden, autumn is the time to trim back your rhizomes and refrigerate the cuttings as gifts for friends. If you are just beginning, now is the time to either beg rhizomes from your brewing buddies or place your order with one of the horticultural hop growers.
For complete growing instructions and suppliers of hops rhizomes, check out:
