How to protect hops from severe storm?

[MathiasMicrobrew]

Im in southern Indiana and we are going to be getting some severe storms thru the next few days with some hail possible.

I have my hops already trained and they are about a foot up the ropes so far. Should I put something over them to protect them?

 

[alane1]

Even if the bines get damaged, the rhizome should still throw new shoots.

 

[MathiasMicrobrew]

True.. shld I worry about the 3-5 in of rain we will be getting over the next few days? It is somewhat mounted and on the side of a small hill

 

[alane1]

you could probably throw some mulch on the soil to help prevent splash and erosion but hops are a tough plant. We had a flood a few years back that fema declared a disaster area...my hops were fine.

 

[MathiasMicrobrew]

Thats comforting lol i'll add some more mulch to them thanks

 

[GVH_Dan]

Not much you can do. I've heard of people tarping to protect from hail but if they are only a foot or so, its probably not worth the effort. Look up "Hopfarmer" on this forum. He had about 7 acres that was devastated by hail a few years back. He managed to retrain what grew back and still get a harvest.

 

[alane1]

How are the hops doing?

 

[MathiasMicrobrew]

They actually did just fine! I put about 2in of mulch on top and hoped for the best and they made it thru and are really taking off