Can you tell me about how to grow hops in my garden?
Answer
Humulus, commonly called hops, are twining perennial vines, native to the north temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. One species, Humulus lupulus, is the source of the hops used in brewing and esteemed for the bitter flavor. It is grown as a hardy perennial. and is easily propagated by cuttings. Seeds may also be used, but these do not truly reproduce varieties cultivated commercially.
The Japanese hop has no value as a source of hop for beer. When grown as an annual its seeds are sown outdoors in spring, or earlier indoors, and the young plants are carried in pots for six to eight weeks before they are planted outside.
Further information on growing hops is available in our NYBG guide Growing The Homebrewer's Beer Garden.
Courtesy of the NYBG Plant Information Service
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