raised beds?

sashurlow · 10-21-2011, 01:25 PM

So next spring I will be planting two vines of hops next to our barn. My initial thoughts are to make two "raised beds" for the plantings about 6-8 inches tall. The raised beds will be good for weed and grass control and will allow me to make the soil perfect for the young plants. Does this make sense?
Exactly what makes good soil for hops anyway?
Scott

**Yooper** · 10-21-2011, 01:47 PM

I'd be concerned that crowns would be above the ground level and that they would freeze in the winter in a raised bed.

**Retrofit** · 10-21-2011, 02:49 PM

I have a raised bed made out of cider blocks, which I believe are 8" deep? I have 13 hops in this raised bed. They are moving on to year three. I've never had a plant freeze, in fact I think the properties of the raised bed (good soil, good drainage) contribute to my plants being strong. I think you'll be fine.

**B-Hoppy** · 10-21-2011, 05:29 PM

The root system of hops can be VERY extensive and DEEP. I dug a crown out once and was down about 3 feet below grade trying to chop a taproot that was about as big around as my wrist. That was even with the plants growing in a heavy clay subsoil. Deep, well-drained soils are what they prefer to grow well, but they'll manage to survive in pretty much any environment. The concept of a raised bed will help, but if you have a lot of clay below, don't expect miracles. Hop On!

**Yooper** · 10-21-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofit

I have a raised bed made out of cider blocks, which I believe are 8" deep? I have 13 hops in this raised bed. They are moving on to year three. I've never had a plant freeze, in fact I think the properties of the raised bed (good soil, good drainage) contribute to my plants being strong. I think you'll be fine.

That's a good point- and maybe I was just thinking of the crowns being higher as they sure seem to start close to the surface. We have to mulch them pretty heavily where I live, and it's really cold here. (We're in zone 3). Perhaps "down south" in the banana belt it's different, or else I'm just overthinking this!

sashurlow · 10-21-2011, 05:51 PM

Clay... Whats that? Our soil in Vermont is approximately 1/3 solid rocks and 2/3 organic material. While I can't confirm that made up figure, it sure does seem that way.
In my raised beds, whats the best material to put in them? I realize the roots will out grow the raised bed quickly, but the first moments of growth after planting should be ideal, IMO.
thanks

Jagdad · 10-21-2011, 09:14 PM

Sashurlow,
I don't know your exact soil conditions, but hops seem to like that soil out your way. I have several customers in Mass. who have great results with even fussy hops like Sterling.
I would not worry too much about the crowns freezing - I have thousands of containerized hops that over winter in Michigan just fine. I just boost the last fert. feed with higher potassium (K) - it acts kinda like antifreeze in plant cells.

**wolverinebrewer** · 10-22-2011, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sashurlow

So next spring I will be planting two vines of hops next to our barn. My initial thoughts are to make two "raised beds" for the plantings about 6-8 inches tall. The raised beds will be good for weed and grass control and will allow me to make the soil perfect for the young plants. Does this make sense?
Exactly what makes good soil for hops anyway?
Scott

Raised beds will work for hops since they tolerate very cold conditions. Being in Vermont, your soil would freeze down 2-3' I would assume anyway so the crowns will also freeze being planted at ground level. An advantage to being in the ground is there would be slightly more heat from the earth where as being raised exposes the plant to cold air on 4 sides and the top. If you are worried, you could always mulch the raised beds with shredded leaves and pile them up enough to mulch the sides of the raised beds. This would hold in the heat longer and keep the soil temps higher longer into winter. In other words, if you are zone 4, you might be able to keep your crowns a zone warmer just by adding a large amount of mulch covering. Just remember that it works opposite in spring when soil temps are rising. Mulch coverings keep the soil from warming as fast as if there was no mulch.
I grow all of my vegetables in raised beds because it's like you said. It is much easier to manage. No tilling, less weeds, and I can reach in which means I don't walk in it to compact the soil which ruins the soil structure. Every fall I add large amounts of shredded leaves, coffee grounds, and vegetable scraps and use a potato fork to work it all in. By spring my soil is like gold.

As far as the type of soil for hops, anything with a decent amount of organic matter will be fine. They are not fussy as long as it drains.
I compost just about everything and will use this as a top dressing for all of my hops, vegetables, annuals, perennials, etc.