How to Start Hop Farming

If you want to start hop farming, you have to arm yourself with the right ideas and guides on how to start up. This article can help you obtain information on how to open such business.

One of the fast rising vines which require huge amount of sunshine and nutrients from the soil are the Hops (Humulus Lupulus) that is to sustain their quick growth.

A hop vines can grow for up to 40ft in its length. From Hop rhizomes a hop plant can be grown in it.

The male hop plants are being used for the pollination in order to seed the females, but in general the un-pollinated or the seedless hop is the much preferred for brewing. Planting hops, requires a nutrient dense, the soil should be well drained with between 5 and 8 of PH. The soil should be ready at least few weeks before you will plant this hops. Also the soil must be mixed with some organic material. And the soil must be dug down for about 1 foot.

For hop gardeners, the decayed manure, fertilizer and the leaves or grass clippings and the ashes of woods are all amendments of a good soil. But you also to take extra cautions of roof runoff that are if you are planting against a house without gutters. The drainage is very important thing also, so we should be aware of the valleys and slopes in the ground.

You can start hop rhizomes in the indoors, if the growing season is just very short. When the risk of frost has been passed, then that is the best time to plant.

For retaining the hops flavour and aroma, hops must be dried, in either dehydrator or even in an oven not more that 140 degrees. And once it is dried, you should vacuum sealed the hops and must be frozen for its best result. If it is not vacuum sealed, then at least you have to remove as much as air from a sealable freezer bag then has it freeze. You have to shield the hops also from direct light for it will prolong the freshness also.

Advertising your business is a must. So, you have to see to it that you advertise your business properly. As a starter, you do not have to advertise your hop farm expensively. There are affordable means of advertising. You have to create business cards, hand these to businesses, companies and individuals who are inclined with your hop farm. Contacting businesses and companies that would use your products is another great way to advertise your hop farm. You can give them business proposals to get clients. Using the internet is another great way to advertise.

Of course, in order to obtain success, you must run and advertise your business effectively and properly. Never stop looking for new ways and methods to improve your hop farm.

37 Comments

  • Patrick Lawrence said on March 23, 2010
    More info on hop farming the better. Have the land, the water but the start up and sales is needed. Thanks. oh, my business location is Vernon BC Canada
  • Angela Birdsell said on July 27, 2010
    Hello, Could someone provide me with an sense of ideal zones or regions in Canada, where hops would be most successful? I've noticed there are growers in BC and Anapolis valley region of NS. These are warmer areas. Is there an ideal growing season? Thanks - any help would be appreciated.
  • Richard Fortune said on July 28, 2010
    I have been thinking to start a hop farm in Michigan. Any information would be appreciate.
  • Barry Bell said on November 22, 2010
    I as well am very interested in hops farming in Michigan and would like to be in place by spring 2012 and have 10+ acres planted for that season.
  • LyleRobbins said on February 28, 2011
    My family and I are considering starting a hops farm in Freesoil, Michigan. There is a potential for up to 100+ acres. Hoping to get started with the trellis system on a small section of the farm this year.
  • brian said on July 18, 2011
    Looking to start hop farm in eastern Idaho have 80 acres looking for as much info as possible
  • mike said on August 31, 2011
    Looking to start a hop farm in southern Illinois. Any info would help
  • kelly Bentz said on September 1, 2011
    We are looking into hop farming in Albany, New York any information you could share would be greatly appreciated.
  • laura hewitt said on September 19, 2011
    we are interested in starting a hops farm in westminster, maryland. we have about 15 acres to work with. would like information on estimated income per acre of hops and where to obtain plants and related cost. any info would be much appreciated. thank you.
  • Jon Poisson, Sr said on October 20, 2011
    My son and I are thinking putting to use 4 acres for hops. There many small brew companys here looking for local hops. Need all the help I can get. Plus our cost per acre to start. Thanks for any help.
  • Greg Israel said on November 17, 2011
    mendocino county ca. Willits. We have 40 acres in a historical region for growing hops. With many Micro breweries in the area interested in local hop production we have started a farming co-op and are looking for more info on growing hops and the best variety for our region. IPA's are a local favorite
  • Tina Jackson said on June 20, 2012
    I am from Michigan and I have been considering a hop farm. I hear there is good money to be made in this venture...any truth to this? Can you tell me how a person would go about getting information on interested buyers of this product? Any information would be greatly appreciated...thanks!
  • Robert Erard said on July 21, 2012
    I am interested in obtaining some more information on hop farming. Currently own some land that could easily be certified as Organic (former CRP Michigan farmland). The soil is mineral based, rich in nutrients. Perhaps, not the best for hops, or maybe the ultimate. Would certainly appreciate some information, contacts, for reference purposes. Thank you!
  • James Landis said on July 24, 2012
    We are in Sussex County in Lower Delaware about 12 miles inland from Rehoboth Beach. We have a Christmas Tree Farm with some extra land that we'd like to plant with hops. I'd say we have about 2 acres that could be utilized with a ph that would seem proper. Any Information you can provide would be helpful. Thank you!
  • Kevin Drost said on July 27, 2012
    Interested in Hops farming. BelMar Farm. 3309 Flowing Springs Road Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442
  • Travis said on October 14, 2012
    Interested in hops farming. Olsen Farm, Maple City, MI
  • Paul Stratton said on November 30, 2012
    I am interested in growing hops. I am located in central wisconsin, the soil is quite sandy, would that be a deal breaker in sandy soil. We have been farming all our lives, but primarily dairy related crops, such as corn, hay, and alfalfa. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
  • Jim said on December 26, 2012
    Looking into the possibility of farming hops in So Cal. Any advise would be much appreciated. Jim
  • Dave Routzahn said on January 30, 2013
    I am seriously considering starting a hops farm in the Manton, MI. area. It won't be huge but I will have 3 acres to devote to this project. I love to grow a garden and this sounds like it is right down my alley. I understand this can be a profitable venture but getting started is my main concern. So many questions. How do you get set up, what kind of market is out there, who do you talk to? Would appreciate it if you could steer me in the right direction. Thank you, Dave Routzahn 231 920 7000.
  • Jeanna said on May 1, 2013
    Is hop growing a viable business for Western NC? Please tell me how to start. This teacher needs another income!
  • Tamara, Yuriy said on May 8, 2013
    Canada, Ontario. Please tell me if it is possible to run Hop farm in Ontario, Canada. Where to buy the seeds? What are the fertilizers we have to use? Who are the buyers of my crops? How much water we need? What are the restrictions for Hop farms in Ontario?
  • Justin said on June 15, 2013
    I live in northern Wisconsin. Currently we have around 3 hundred acres of field available for crop. I have the resources and equipment available to grow pretty much anything and am very excited to try "hop farming"! If possible any information to start would be greatly appreciated.
  • Sue said on February 8, 2014
    I am conducting market research on hops industry in Michigan. Would like some info on who the key players are, industry overview, size of the market, and how it all works. Also would it be translatable to CT market? Thanks
  • Jason Swain said on March 2, 2014
    I have 70 acre farm in Sumner Illinois and interested in starting a hop farm. I want to start out with 2 acres and go from there. How do I get started?
  • karen said on July 18, 2014
    I have a large farm in north-east Michigan would like some ideas , help, support and better understanding on how to start a hops farm many new local brewing companies are looking for local hops, any ideas would be helpful thanks karen
  • Lisa said on August 6, 2014
    We have a small farm in southern Indiana and we would like information on how we can get started. We have a little over 40 acres. thanks!!
  • Brian said on August 8, 2014
    We are starting 100 hills next spring but have 12-15 acres to commit. Looking for information on marketing in North East Ohio.
  • Cliff said on August 15, 2014
    Hello I have 7 acres outside of Oneota, NY. I am interested in starting a hops farm. any information would be helpful.
  • Michael and Mary Clements said on August 24, 2014
    We have about 20 acres outside of Utica, NY that we could plant hops on. Any information on the entire process from planting to selling would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
  • Steve Grassi said on January 31, 2015
    Have over 50 acres in Charlottesville, Va and would like to start farming hops. Looking for local info to help get started.
  • Ken said on May 25, 2015
    We have a local brewery that is making a name for itself. Have a farm in Rockvale, TN. I have been pondering for several years about growing hops. I a looking for all the information possible to help me decide if this is something that I can successfully do.
  • Janet said on October 23, 2015
    I own 50 acres of tillable land in Jefferson County, NY.I am interested in growing about an acre of hops. I would appreciate any information on how to get started.
  • Kristie said on November 1, 2015
    I have land in Fort Collins, Colorado, and have been pondering growing hops. I am looking for all the information possible to help me decide if this is something that I can do successfully. Thanks!
  • Pawan beginner adviser said on March 8, 2016
    i am consultant on this business 9817849001

    Pandeipawan17@gmail.com || Consultant

  • jonalee mills said on January 24, 2018
    Can I grow hops in southern wv to sale and make a profit? Would be good to be able to provide a little work for at least a few people up there. Thanks..
  • Doug said on March 15, 2018
    I have about 30 acres available that I would like to start dedicating to hop production for 4 local breweries in northern Illinois. I see a lot of requests for help on growing and selling hops. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, dougb2265@hotmail.com
  • Jeremy said on August 24, 2018
    I am very interested in starting a hops farm in Nova Scotia. I have done some research, but before putting money into it I would like to get as much info on starting one, and the best areas in Nova Scotia.

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