how much yield happens in the first season

Wanted to try growing a few different hops, just wondering how much yield to expect in the first year.

In chicago...and with high yielding plants...2-3 ounces at the most.

Cascades, nuggets, centennial, and mt. hood all do fairly well.

If bugs get them before you notice( like they did me) then very little. LOL! I only managed a couple ounces off my nugget bine. This year I'll be watching like a hawk!

I've heard that if you get ANY the first year, you're doing pretty good. This past year was my first and I grew 2 cascade, 2 Chinook and 2 Centennial. One Chinook and One centennial didn't make the transfer from the starter pot into the ground. But, my two Cascades went insane and I got 12oz of Cascade and 1.5oz of Chinook. The Centennial had a few cones, but nothing worth harvesting.

Here's the thread where I documented everything: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f92/my-hops-garden-project-176340/

In year 1 my two plants ended up growing about 0.01% so yielded nothing; the third plant disappeared into the grass.

In year 2 the first two plants grew about 3 m and yielded about 10 cups of loose hops; the third plant actually popped up through the grass so I transplanted it and it grew a few inches.

2011 is year 3 so I expect the two plants to yield immensely and the third plant to produce a few cups of hops.

The moral? At first they are disappointing but then they grow like mad.

B

I haven't gotten anything mentionable int he first season. Season 2 is usually around 8oz dried per crown. Season 3 is when you start kicking into full blown production mode and season 4 is ape****.

wetchicken6 said:

Wanted to try growing a few different hops, just wondering how much yield to expect in the first year.

Click to expand...

It depends on the type and location. I'm also in Chicago. I planted Nugget and Cascade last year. I only got an ounce or two out of the nugget and 4 ounces our of the cascade.

I am not so certain location makes as much difference as most would suggest allthough it definately does make a difference.

First year plants are always a gamble and from my experience yeild is going to greatly depend on
1.Available sunlight
2.Soil PH
3.Fertilization (go heavy to very heavy)
4.Water

They like water and a lot of sun. Dont drown them with water ie. plant them in a hill and water frequently. Frequently = at least once a day, twice a day if its hot out.

I use a slow release 19-12-20 (1x4months) and then a liquid 20-20-20 every 9 days. They will strip the ground of nutrients within a season depending on spacing so be prepared to feedem good.

Keep bugs out of them and make sure your PH is correct down to 2ft -not just the top 6 inches. They are perennials...they like leg room.

you do all that and you should be able to get 1 to 1.5lbs dried from a single plant. See image below - First Year Nugget - got 1.02lbs dried hops from that plant and.98lbs dried from its sister.



You do all that and you should be good.