Growing Hops Yourself: The Art of Gardening for Beer Lovers

Growing hops not only offers the opportunity to elevate your homebrewing to a new level, but also provides a deeper insight into the fascinating world of plants and their care. Hops are a perennial plant that not only brings a variety of flavors but also adds aesthetic appeal when grown in gardens, balconies, or beer gardens.

The connection to nature and the growth process make every beer brewed from your own plants a truly special experience. Additionally, growing your own hops enhances awareness of sustainable farming and the origin of ingredients. Growing your own hops is not just a craft activity but also an expression of a love for nature and brewing. Observing how the plants grow and thrive gives you a deeper understanding of the raw materials that make your beer unique.

Not only experienced brewers benefit from this experience. Even for hobby gardeners and beer lovers, growing hops offers the opportunity to transform their home into a small, productive beer garden. The joy of drinking your own beer increases even more when you know you've grown the most important ingredient yourself. You contribute to biodiversity, improve soil health, and at the same time have control over the quality of your ingredients. This allows you to brew beer that is unique in both its origin and taste.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing and Caring for Hops

Growing your own hops can be an exciting and rewarding experience! Here are some steps to help you grow your own hops:

1. Choosing the Location: 

Select a sunny spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. The soil should be well-drained and nutrient-rich. An ideal location for hops is sheltered from the wind to prevent damage to the plants from strong gusts. Also, ensure that the plants have enough space to climb—hops can grow up to six meters tall!

2. Preparing the Soil: 

Loosen the soil and mix in compost or well-rotted manure to improve nutrients. The ideal pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Well-prepared soil promotes strong root growth and a healthy plant. It is worth refreshing the soil each year before the plant re-sprouts to ensure optimal nutrient supply.

3. Selecting Hop Varieties: 

There are many different hop varieties, each with its own flavors and characteristics. Popular varieties include Hallertauer Tradition, Perle or Cascade. Besides traditional landrace varieties, you can also buy more climate-resistant plants such as Diamant, Tango or Aurum. Each of these varieties offers different flavor profiles, which can give your home-brewed beer a unique touch.

4. Planting: 

You can grow hops either from seedlings or from rhizomes (root pieces). Plant the rhizomes in spring, about 5-10 cm deep, with the "eye" end facing upwards. Make sure to leave enough space between plants (about 1-1.5 meters). This gives the plants enough room to spread out and thrive.

5. Providing Support for Climbing: 

Hops are climbing plants and need support to grow. You can use a trellis, a fence, or special hop poles that are at least 2-3 meters high. Gently tie the young shoots to the supports so they can climb upward. Guiding the plants is especially important in spring when they experience their fastest growth.

6. Watering: 

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the growing season. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. On particularly hot summer days, hops require a lot of water due to their large leaf mass, which evaporates a lot of moisture. A drip irrigation system can help meet the plant's water needs evenly.

7. Fertilizing: 

You can fertilize with a balanced fertilizer to promote growth. Make sure to use the appropriate amount of fertilizer as indicated on the packaging. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is particularly good for leaf and shoot growth, while a phosphorus- and potassium-rich fertilizer supports flower formation.

8. Caring for the Plants: 

Remove weeds and regularly check for pests or diseases. Good care ensures healthy plants, good quality, and a high yield. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew. If you notice signs of infestation, take quick action to protect the plants.

9. Harvesting: 

The hop cones are likely ready for harvest by the end of August or September (depending on the variety) when they are green and firm and give off a pleasant aroma. The best time to harvest is when the cones spring back when gently squeezed between your fingers and feel sticky. The resin in the cones is most concentrated at this point and provides the best flavor for your beer.

Where to Buy Hop Seedlings / Hop Rhizomes? 

We exclusively sell hop products for beer production. Therefore, we only offer finished products that can be used directly for brewing. There are several suppliers who specialize in hop seedlings and rhizomes.

A recommended supplier is the company 1A Garten Eickelmann in Geisenfeld, which offers a wide selection of hop seedlings. Hop seedlings can be planted directly in spring to harvest the first cones in the fall. It's advisable to order early, as the demand for seedlings is particularly high in the home-brewing community.

Please use the following link: https://www.eickelmann.de/Hopfen-Shop/de/