Sunday, April 19, 2009

Magnum, Hop Farm April 29 2009

I did a bit of work on the farm today. Cleared the remainder of weeds, leveled the soil, replanted two vojvodina mounds, inspected and repaired irrigation (set for 1 hour every 24hrs beginning at 5am), and Michelle mulched all three rows. Still left to do is replant three bottom row chinook mounds, restring several trellis wires, and install some chicken wire or some other form of deterring the wild rabbits. Also, I need to build the box fan dehydrator before harvest. Sent from my mobile phone.
Posted by Chillindamos at 2:45 PM
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2 comments:

  1. BrianApril 23, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    I'm trying to grow some hops in San Diego (Bay Park). What area are you in?
    I just planted some Zeus, Nugget and Centennial mounds in march. Thy are all growing up the trellis about 2 feet high so far. I'm not sure how often to fertilize and what type of fertilizer to use?
    What varieties are you growing, and to what success?
    Looks like you have a nice little operation there!

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  2. ChillindamosMay 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    Hi Brian,
    My hop farm is away from home in Escondido at my wife's parents' place. I have 30 mounds in 4 varieties: chinook, centennial, magnum, and vojvodina. All of these varieties do very well though the chinook excels above the others followed by centennial. The magnum typically has a single abundant crop while the vojvodina (best described as a northern brewer fuggles) flowers sparsely and is a bit finicky.
    As far as fertilization, I keep a healthy mulch year-round. I also fertilized with chicken manure from a local egg farm (so far once every two years). Commercial hop farms typically fertilize at the start of flowering. Any small source of nitrogen is sufficient. I grow my hops in dry rocky soil with great success. If you are using potting soil or the like, you will likely not need nutrient. The first year may or may not yield desirable quantities. Good luck!

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