Growing hops in Los Angeles?

[90046]

Dan here, brand new to the forum
My buddy and I just finished constructing planter boxes in his yard
We plan on planting soon as the local shop gets rhizomes
Has anyone out there grown in Los Angeles or similar latitude?
I'd love to hear any advice
Particularly which strains do well this far south

 

[Freezeblade]

I am also planning on planting some hops this year, from what I've heard the real challenge down here (I'm in San Deigo) is keeping them hydrated, maybe someone else with more experience could chime in on this.

 

[Nooby]

I am also planning on planting some hops this year, from what I've heard the real challenge down here (I'm in San Deigo) is keeping them hydrated, maybe someone else with more experience could chime in on this.

Bump for some good info. My parents have an acre in coastal North County SD and I've convinced my Dad to set aside a little space for me and my babies this spring!

Is there a best variety for the sandy soil of the area?

Not to hijack the thread, but any info on best local supplier for rhizomes (local = SoCal). I'm in Newport and not against the idea of driving a while to get the right "stuff" (jeez, I feel like I'm in college again trying to score a little sumpin-sumpin! :cross: )

 

[heinz57]

I know Brewsmith has had a lot of success growing hops in Torrance, so it's not only possible, but quite productive. Also, the Culver City shop grows hops out back in planters.

I've never done it personally because I don't live in the same spot long enough to grow a consistent crop. However, the day I do I'm going to do my best to start a nice little farm.

 

[Nooby]

I know Brewsmith has had a lot of success growing hops in Torrance, so it's not only possible, but quite productive. Also, the Culver City shop grows hops out back in planters.

I've never done it personally because I don't live in the same spot long enough to grow a consistent crop. However, the day I do I'm going to do my best to start a nice little farm.

Woah!!!! You're in Pasadena???? I grew up in San Marino and the soil there was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I assume Pasadena is the same?) Oh how I miss those orange and avocado trees in the back yard!

You need to find a place to grow. Isn't there a community garden somewhere in the city?

 

[JarrodH]

I am currently growing in San Diego. (Last year was my first year growing) Well east county san diego. It was hot this summer and it was definetely a challenge to keep the hops hydrated because it was a really warm summer. I am now a bit more inland (La mesa) so it shouldnt be so hot, but my Tettanger and my Northern Brewer seemed to root fine and grew pretty well. I got my hops from Freshops, and dont know a local supplier. Where you at in SD freezeblade?

 

[raceskier]

I had pretty good success from some of my first year plants last year. I got the varieties I use a lot rather than checking what grows well here. (DOH!) My LHBS (Culver City Home Brewing Supply) gets spectacular crops from the plants behind the store. You might give them a call for recommendations on which varieties do best here.

 

[erodstrom]

I'm in Santa Monica, and picked up some Cascade and Willamette rhizomes from CCHBS last season. They grew really well and I had flowers at the end of the summer.

If you look through all the FAQ's on the Freshops.com website, I believe they lay out which hops grew better in warm climates, etc.,

Also, I found someone on Tribe.com who was trimming their rhizomes and giving away the cuttings for a Perle hop vine, so I threw that one in and it went also, but was definitely weaker than the other two.

 

[RonBrewer]

I am currently growing in San Diego. (Last year was my first year growing) Well east county san diego. It was hot this summer and it was definetely a challenge to keep the hops hydrated because it was a really warm summer. I am now a bit more inland (La mesa) so it shouldnt be so hot, but my Tettanger and my Northern Brewer seemed to root fine and grew pretty well. I got my hops from Freshops, and dont know a local supplier. Where you at in SD freezeblade?

What aspect did you have your plants facing? I'm out in El Cajon and just put my first rhizomes in pots so i'll have the ability to move them around. The spot i'm looking at is a south facing wall so i'm wondering if i will need to use shade cloth or consider a different location. I'm hoping to add a drip irrigation system so keeping them moist won't be such a chore.

 

[JarrodH]

What aspect did you have your plants facing? I'm out in El Cajon and just put my first rhizomes in pots so i'll have the ability to move them around. The spot i'm looking at is a south facing wall so i'm wondering if i will need to use shade cloth or consider a different location. I'm hoping to add a drip irrigation system so keeping them moist won't be such a chore.

I had mine climbing hop twine up to a barn, so I wasn't too into the direction it was facing at the time. They faced north and they got sun all day. (I used to live out near Sycuan casino - so it got quite hot out there) I am in La Mesa now, and am looking forward to some somewhat better temps this season. My first year I had Tet and Northern Brewer and they seemed to grow ok, but probably not too optimal. I added Cascades this year to the bunch. What are you planning on growing?

 

[RonBrewer]

Yeah it should be much cooler in La Mesa. So far i have Cascade and Zeus. I'll probably add a few more varieties once i get a feel for it. I'm also doing the twine method, but it's going up the side of the house. I'll just have to watch them closely and move them if they start to wilt.

 

[JarrodH]

Yeah it should be much cooler in La Mesa. So far i have Cascade and Zeus. I'll probably add a few more varieties once i get a feel for it. I'm also doing the twine method, but it's going up the side of the house. I'll just have to watch them closely and move them if they start to wilt.

Two of mine are in containers (half whiskey barrels) and you just want to watch your nutrients and water as they can dry out a bit faster. I was watering twice a day on the hot days to make sure they got plenty of water.