Growing Hops at Home: They Aren’t Just for IPAs

Most of us know that hops are a key ingredient in beers, and no beer celebrates hoppiness quite like the IPA. However, hops are a fun and beautiful plant to grow at home, one that covers an arbor or trellis and provides some tasty stuff for the kitchen.

Any enthusiastic beer drinker or microbrew sampler knows that there are a variety of different hops, many with their own unique flavor, particularly in beer. And, hey, if a good crop of hops is growing at home, it might be worth trying some homebrew.

But, as a gardener, this plant can offer much more. In addition to being a vigorous bind (vines that die back to the ground in winter) and more than willing to climb stuff to provide a shady sitting spot, the plant has usefulness in the kitchen, both as food and non-alcoholic beverage.

Not only are these plants suitable for growing in most of the continental US, but also they are well-suited to both rural, suburban, and urban gardens.

Source: OrganicBackyardGardening/Youtube

Cultivating Hops

It’s always a winner when a plant is perennial, which hops are: They come back year after year for years, no new cultivation necessary. This also means the harvests will increase as the plant matures (harvests by year two).

Hops have both male and female plants, with the females producing the hop flowers necessary for beer. That means that seeds are usually a poor choice for cultivating hops because the outcome is unknown.

However, plant gender can be predicted by using pieces of rhizome, an underground root-like stem (similar to ginger and turmeric). It’s best to shell out a few extra bucks and go this route. And, remember that as the plant matures, more pieces of rhizome can be pinched to grow more vines. This is best done after the last frost.

Source: Hops World/Youtube

Popular Hops

There are many, many varieties of hops, but some of them have become mainstays due to their use in our favorite beers. Here are some of the most sought-after selections.

• Cascade hops are really popular, and they grow best in hot areas. They are renowned for their floral-citrus character.
• Willamette is a vigorous grower with medium-sized cones that put out aromatic flowers with fruity notes.
• Centennial is another IPA favorite. The flowers have a crisp, citrusy flavor with a floral bouquet.
• Nugget hops are a top choice for those growing in colder environments. They have an herbal flavor and strong scent.

Source: Homesteading Family/Youtube

Growing Hops

Hops are viable up to USDA Zone 3 and can take the heat of USDA Zone 8, encompassing most of the mainland United States, save those toasty spots in the deep, deep South.

Though they can grow in partial shade, hops prefer a sunny spot with rich soil. They’ll need something to climb on and get up to 25 feet long and weigh 20 pounds.

As for water, they like to have plenty of it, but well-draining soil is also important as they don’t want to be waterlogged. They work well when grown in mounds and mulched well with dried grass clippings or straw.

Source: Haphazard Homestead/Youtube

Harvesting Hops

For those looking for a new vegetable, the young shoots of hops can be harvested and treated similarly to asparagus, perhaps with a touch more spiciness. These will be available in spring. They can grow up to a foot a day, so these can shoot up quickly.

As for harvesting flowers, they are ready in the late summer. The plant needs about four months to provide a good harvest. Each hop cone has about 60 flowers.

Once the flowers are harvested, they need to be dried. They should be cut and laid on the ground for preliminary dehydration, after which they can be spread on screens in the sun or a warm, well-ventilated room.

Once the flowers have dried, they can be stored in an air-tight container for a year or more.

Source: NorthernBrewerTV/Youtube

Using Hops

Of course, hops can be used to make beer. As noted early, the young shoots can be harvested and cooked in the spring. A quick sauté will be just right, or they can be pickled. The dried flowers can also be used to make a sedative tea by steeping a couple of spoons in hot water. In other words, it is a great addition to edible and medicinal landscapes.

Related Content:

• A Guide to Growing Collard Greens
• The Ins and Outs of Growing Your Own Strawberries
• What You Need to Know About Growing Trees from Seeds
• Growing, Harvesting, and Storing Winter Squash and Pumpkins
• Growing Your Own Perennial Culinary Herb Garden at Home

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