Comments on: Hop Rhizomes In the Ground

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:35:06 +0000

I do not know how cold it gets in northern Illinois over the winter – here in Minnesota, you need to protect hops in the ground and definitely protect them in containers (minus 30 below). I would insulate the containers as best as you can (mulch on top with leaves, straw or hay) and surround the containers with bags of leaves and/or anything else you can insulate the containers with.

Hop plants crown/root stock and rhizomes will easily grow to the sides and bottom of the containers – not leaving much insulation from the elements. You may want to talk with some local hop growers / homebrewers and see how they deal with container hop plants over the winter. Better safe than sorry.

By: Leon

Leon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:33:12 +0000

I too am growing 3 hops in planters (cascade, goldings, williamette) I am in northern Illinois. I found a great beginning support for them, I cut a piece of fence with 6″x6″ squares and burried it around the edge of the planter. no matter where the shoots come up there is a square for them to grab on to keep them off the soil. I was wondering if I should be concerned about the rhizomes freezing this winter as they are in the planters and cold air circulates around them?

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:23:39 +0000

I have yet to come across info on temperature hardiness of hop varieties. If/when I find info on this, I will let you know. Someone visiting this blog may have experience with your type of climate and growing hops. You might try Yahoo Grow Hops group . It is a pretty active, diverse and knowledgeable group on growing hops.

By: Dan O

Dan O — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:42:42 +0000

I am interested in trying to grow my own hops. I live in Butte,MT and the elevation is 5200 ft. We had frost every month so far this year. Not normally, but it happens. It seems that the cascade variety works in this area, but are there any others that might work?

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:55:58 +0000

Steve,
Congrats on a successful hop season! You want to leave the root stock / crown in the ground over winter – hops are very hardy. After the hop bines die, cut them down and mulch over the the mound over the winter and uncover in the spring.

Hops are invasive – they will spread out via under ground rhizomes. Many people will dig a 2 foot diameter circle around the crown to chop off the rhizomes (you can plant them elsewhere or sell / give away or trade hop rhizomes to friends and fellow home brewers for beer or different varieties of hops). If you want them to spread further, let them be. Hope this helps.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:31:41 +0000

Tried growing my own for the first time this year. Planted Cascades and Willamettes. They did quite well and I anticipate having enough for at least a couple styles of homebrew. I don’t know if I am to leave the rhizomes in the ground this winter or dig them out and replant next spring.

By: James

James — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:47:38 +0000

frozen in the refrigerator… by mistake of course. I planted them about one month ago and now the days are getting longer and warmer they have started to kick into action. I wouldn’t recommend freezing though, as one of them (the smallest) hadn’t come up so i pulled it out and it was completely rotten and soggy inside. Luckily the others are okay and hopefully they grow into healthy plants

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:20:49 +0000

James,

Good to hear. Are you referring to your rhizomes being frozen in your refrigerator or in the ground? Not sure how cold it gets where you are at – I realize it is your winter. Obviously hops and beer/ale is universal!

By: James

James — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:31:42 +0000

Just thought you guys might like to know the hops have survived being frozen. Lots of little leaves are starting to poke their heads through the soil now. They must be tough little buggers!

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:39:41 +0000

I would wait and see what happens – nothing to lose. Are the pots indoors right now or are your low temps above 32 fahrenheit or 0 celsius? New hop shoots or bines will not survive a freeze – bad start for newly planted hop rhizomes. Other than being the opposite growing season between our hemispheres and where in Australia you are would determine if they will survive outside. I would order new rhizomes for your next spring (whenever they become available for your area) just to be safe. Best of luck. Keep us posted on your hop growing endeavors.