Buying rhizomes from Yakima Valley

[BongoYodeler]

I bought rhizomes through Adventures in Homebrewing last year. Apparently they contracted with a hop farm in Maine and when they finally shipped it took nearly 10 days to reach me in California. Not only that, they looked sickly when they arrived, all limp, no growth, they looked like black soggy twigs that I feared wouldn't grow. My pessimism proved true as none of the eight rhizomes produced despite following the directions and a large variety of fruits and vegetables all growing fantastically well in the same general area. I've been in contact with AiH and they agreed to replace my order this season. To up my chances I'd like to also purchase some from Yakima Valley but I'm confused about what's on their website. I can't tell if they haven't started pre-orders for shipping rhizomes this spring, or if they mean 2023 rhizomes are already sold out and pre-orders for rhizomes shipping in 2024 will begin this spring. Other companies (including AiH) are already accepting orders for rhizomes shipping this spring. I've sent a message last week to YVH though their online messaging option, but it's been a week and no response. Any ideas what to make of their process?

 

[CascadesBrewer]

It definitely looks like that is the 2022 page and they have not started taking orders yet for 2023.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Thanks. That's my gut feeling as well. Hopefully just an outdated web page.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

FYI...a few years ago I ordered hop plants from Great Lakes Hops and they shipped them out on April 26. I think that is a common shipping time for many sellers.

BTW, Great Lakes Hops might be worth checking out. They are one of the few vendors that sell hops other than the very common varieties. I got 4 plants and they all survived planting. In their 3rd year, the Chinook is thriving, the Triple Perle is coming along...the Tahoma and Goldings are struggling (though I would blame that more on the plants not being a great fit for my Virginia climate).

Shop for Hops Plants Now

Great Lakes Hops offers a wide selection of hops plants and crowns available for sale. Grow your own!

www.greatlakeshops.com

 

[BongoYodeler]

Heard back from YVH today.

Thank you so much for thinking of us when it comes to your rhizome needs!
We will have a variety of Rhizomes on-line for preordering very soon.
To find out when, please make sure you subscribe to our newsletter with your on-line account.
Rhizomes are dug up after the last frost. Here in WA, that can by March or even April.

 

[Joggin]

I wonder what/if new types will be available to the public this year.

 

[estricklin]

I've never ordered rhizomes from Yakima, but they are my go to for hops, great prices and always good customer service.

 

[Kickass]

I wonder what/if new types will be available to the public this year.

I’d be surprised if any. The only cool, fun new rhizomes I’ve seen are from Great Lakes hops. Id love to get some Neo Mexicana from GLH but for the small amount I want and climate/growing uncertainty, they want way too much to ship to CA.

GHL will take preorders now. YVH, you have to wait until they begin accepting pre orders.

 

[T Murph]

Two years ago (2021) I purchased eight varieties of rhizomes from AIH. Three were dark moldy and had a bad smell in the sealed plastic bag they were shipped in. I planted them any way and of course they never sprouted. I notified AIH and they sent replacements for those late last spring (2022). Again they arrived wet and moldy however one did survive and eventually sprouted. At this point I am two years into trying to establish a home hop garden with three void/bare hop spots in said garden. Soooo, I'm now searching for reliable source to purchase hop plants to replace the failed rhizomes as I want get better results in year three. I will admit of the hops that survived, survived because 4 of the 5 grew into plants but failed to produce cones but one, a Nugget is a beast. I'm open for suggestions for a supplier of established plants. Saaz, Centennial and Chinook are the replacements I need. But I want to add a couple more while I'm at it this year.

 

[Leezer]

I recommend Great Lakes Hops. It's been several years but I bought mine from them, they sell small plants rather than rhizomes, and have a nice selection. The plants arrived looking very healthy and are still going strong.

 

[T Murph]

@Leezer I took your recommendation and ordered some from Great Lakes Hops. They had exactly what I was looking for to replace rhizomes that failed and add some additional varieties to my garden. Thanks for your advice.

 

[BongoYodeler]

@Leezer I took your recommendation and ordered some from Great Lakes Hops. They had exactly what I was looking for to replace rhizomes that failed and add some additional varieties to my garden. Thanks for your advice.

Curious, what did you end up ordering?

 

[T Murph]

Bongo I ordered Chinook, Fuggles, Saaz and Hallertau MF. I hope to get them planted early this spring so maybe they can catch up with my established varieties. Last year's drought was not good for my garden. I did get a few of some and over a pound of Nuggets from last year. Hoping this year gives me enough to supply my brewing needs and share some with a local brewery.

 

[Rodent]

I can confirm that it's still freezing/frosting here in the Yakima valley (I'm looking out my window and see a frost covered yard)

Thursday is forecast for an overnight low of 12F and a high still in the freezing zone of 28F