Rhizomes

[Kolin Hodgson]

Getting rhizomes has been kind of a craps shoot this year.

I have ordered replacements for the hops in the current field that didn't survive last season

These are the replacement hop rhizomes for this year.

 

Chinook - 2 OK Freshops
Fuggle -  2 OK Freshops
Mt Hood - 2 OK Freshops
Northern Brewer - 3 Not available (Plant Kent Golding instead)
Nugget - 2 OK Freshops
Sterling - 2 OK Freshops
Tettnag - 2 Midwest Supplies
Willamet - 2 OK Freshops
Cascade  - 3 OK Freshops

Kent Golding - OK 6 Freshops

 

The Northern Brewer grew very poorly. One survived and I will try to keep it growing for stock if nothing else.

I am planning on growing three planting sites with Kent Golding (another English hop) in hopes that it will fare better.

 

This is the first year for a "normal" harvest, so, I will spend more time in the hop field. To get things going, I need to take a look at what has come up so far,

- Add the pole tops (the 10 footers)

- Run the Twine and stake them down

- Amend the soil

- Mulch the hop field.

- Consider expanding (I have permission from the Niemiers but it's a question of time)

 

I am looking at soil amendments right now, so if you feel like doing some research and recommendations, send them along. There will be a lot more mulching than last year. (the front end loader works great for that) The hop field was weedy all year, which reduced growth and made the field look shoddy. Mulching is the answer. I will attempting to arrange some Hopfield workdays this year and will invite everyone on the list. Hops are going to be hard to come by for at least a couple more years because of the shortage. We have already brewed two batches (and will probably brew a 3rd) with out own hops. Worldwide shortage or not, we should be able to have hops aplenty if we maintain this field.

 

--
Kolin Hodgson
kol...@gmail.com

      24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.  - Steven Wright