If you're an aspiring brewer, you may have already considered growing your own hops to craft 100% homemade beer. While rewarding, growing hops is a technical process that requires patience and attention. Here are our expert tips!
Your first step is to find a hop shoot, available from April—often at PerfectDraft! Alternatively, try hop growers, nurseries, or florists. This is often the trickiest part.
Once you've got your seedling, give it a name (we name all our babies!) and place it in direct sunlight, watering it every 2–3 days. At this stage, that’s all it needs.
When temperatures rise—typically in early April—plant it in nutrient-rich, well-drained, and sunny soil. Dig a hole about 30 cm deep and 50 cm x 50 cm wide. If you prefer to keep your seedling indoors, choose a pot at least 40 cm deep with drainage holes. Fill it with a mix of compost and potting soil, and your hop baby is ready to thrive.
As it grows (around 20 cm tall), your young plant will need support to grow vertically—use nylon string, twine, or hemp rope. Set up a structure it can climb confidently. Pro tip: hop plants can grow between 7 and 9 metres tall, so vertical growth is key!
Need a cheat sheet? Here’s our seasonal hop grower’s calendar:
| Period | Activities |
|---|---|
| Late February – Early March |
|
| Late April – Early May |
|
| May – June |
|
| Late August – Early September |
|
| November – December |
|
Our 7 Tips for a Thriving Minipousse:
1. Water regularly—as soon as the soil surface is dry.
2. Weed often to reduce competition and preserve nutrients.
3. Support & prune. Keep 4–5 strong stems and cut the rest. Train the selected ones to climb.
4. Fertilise with compost in early May and June for healthy growth.
5. Defoliate the lower 50 cm once your plant reaches 2–3 metres to prevent mildew.
6. Harvest between September 1–15, ideally in dry weather. Expect 50% less yield in year one. By year three, average output is 500g of dried hops per plant.
7. Dry & store hops for 2–3 days. Use opaque vacuum-sealed bags to preserve aromas.
See you in September for the harvest—we can’t wait to taste your homemade brew!
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