Digging rhizomes!

[KaptainKarl]

We moved this summer, and now that plants are going dormant, we went back to dig perennials, including hops.

I decided to take the whole crown, and holy cow, what a job. The soil was loose enough and the rhizomes have just enough give that I couldn't chop them with the shovel. They would compress rather than shear off.

Two years in their little yard, and I couldn't sink the shovel in. Cascade, Mt Hood, Brewers Gold and Nugget. We'll keep them in the garage over winter. I hope they grow so well at the new place.

 

[friarsmith]

Yeah...I've dug up many a root crown in my day. Not easy. Sharpen your shovel and get out the pruning shears. Wait until you dig up a 7yr Brewers Gold. Yikes! Or just leave them as a housewarming gift for the next guy...

Store them in your garage in a bucket/pot/grain-sack filled with soil over the winter and they should be fine next spring. Pour 1-2qt water on them once a month (or so) so the soil stays just slightly moist.