Comments on: Overwinter Hop Plants

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:36:55 +0000

Frances,
Once the foliage dies off (assuming it does indoors, as the perennial hops are), cut the bines off just above ground level. Your varieties of hops are Williamette and Northern Brewer. Once the threat of frost has passed in the spring, plant them in a sunny location with vertical space.

I would prep the ground now and give it a chance to break down organic matter. Just dig a hole at least a foot deep and 2 feet in diameter, mix with the dirt, grass, leaves, compost and/or composted manure. I mulch the surface with leaves and grass from my mowing to protect the hop crowns and leech nutrients into the soil. When you plant the plants (or rhizomes), mound the soil to help prevent drowning the roots in heavy rains… Let us know how the plants do over winter and once planted – thanks.

By: frances

frances — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:41:38 +0000

Thank you very much for your suggestion. It kind of resolves my gut feeling of wintering them in the house. Seems the safest way to do it. and I do not mind doing this. I have plenty of room inside and out to grow them. I am not real happy that my son choose plants, instead of rhizomes . This is where I become confused. bulbs [lack of words] I understand.l Should I trim back the stems? or wait until spring? the hop plants are willametter? I think some 0f the ink is a bit blurred. The other plant is Volthern bewser? It is hard to see the lettering, so that is my best gusess. my son does not seem to care if the plants do not survive; yet I truly want for them to grow & be plentiful…. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Fran hunter

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:35:29 +0000

Fran,
I am not certain. Planting in the spring is recommended. As perennials, I would think you would want them to go dormant over winter and that may or may not happen indoors. It may be best to put them in pots and let them go dormant in a garage or shed but potted plants don’t do well in extreme cold (below zero) – then plant in the spring. You could try one in the ground, one in a pot and see what happens. Where did he get them from? – Where he bought them should have advice as they sell them this time of year. If someone that has experience with this chimes in or If I get any info, I will keep you posted.

By: frances

frances — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:56:09 +0000

My son, just ordered two hop plants, they are not rhizomes It is almost the end of Sept. here in ohio. Should I plant them outside, or put them in pots and winter them in the house? Thanks, fran

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:04:57 +0000

Steve,
I don’t think you can keep them over the winter wet and in plastic bags. It works short term (say a month), but I have had them mold/mildew and go bad while storing in the refrigerator (you can bleach minor mold off of hop rhizomes). I would put them in dirt and keep them outside over winter. If you are in a harsh winter zone like I am (gets to 20 degrees below zero fahrenheit or colder, you need to protect them from those extreme cold temps. Root celler, insulated with leaves, grass…

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 20:38:15 +0000

I had some hops growing in my Mom’s backyard and since she has passed away and we will be selling the property, I dug up some of the rhizomes to plant in my yard next spring. Since this is normally done in the Spring, what can I do now to give these rhizomes a better chance of surviving the winter? Right now I have the cuttings wrapped in wet newspaper and in plastic bags. Should I plant them temporarily in potting soil over the winter?

Thank you,

Steve

By: mike

mike — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:23:26 +0000

yeah no doubt. vikes are tearing it up. enjoy seeing both peterson and farve.

By: Growing Hops

Growing Hops — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:35:16 +0000

Hey Mike,
Not sure how cold Pittsburgh gets, but I would think a couple inches of mulch would protect your hop crowns in the ground. I would either move your container hop plant to a protected, slightly warmer area – garage… Otherwise I would find a way to insulate it – surround with leaf bags, mulch on top… The hop root stock is especially vulnerable above ground as there is no insulation and the cold will hit it from all sides.

Yeah, Surly is a state treasure. I have been a fan since day one. Many a Surly tour, Surlyfest, Surly Darkness pilgrimages (actually hit the liquor stores this year! (local anyway)). Summit EPA is my everyday ale and another Minnesota beer/ale to be proud of. What about those Vikings heh?

By: mike

mike — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:43:23 +0000

I am from MN originally so I know what you mean with this. I only have a few inches of mulch on my first years but I am in pittsburgh so I think it will be ok. The one I am leaving out in a pot on the other hand…..
Well I guess we will see.

Also I liked seeing the post on Surly. I have not had much of that in a while. Also Summit EPA. Great beer in the cities.