Row Placement Orientation

[Bullington]

I have the option of planting our rows East and West or North and South.

Which direction would be most beneficial?

 

[ZVNJ]

I would plant them north/south.


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[prohl84]

E/W the sun will pass over the rows in a more parallel fashion and illuminate them more evenly.

 

[The10mmKid]

Looking in on the Yakima Valley using my earth orbiting satellite shows that most of their rows are running North/South.

'da Kid

OK, It's your satellite too . . . . .

 

[Bullington]

Thanks for the replies. I spent a good part of my teenage years in the Yakima valley and noticed hops rows being mostly North and South, but wanted to see if anyone else had an opinion or experience.

 

[GVH_Dan]

From the standpoint of sun, North/south is best if planted close together and east/west if there is enough spacing for the sun to get down into the rows.

But sunlight isn't the only thing to consider. Take into account prevailing winds, especially during a storm. If you have a large run of hops, they will act like a sail and can easily be toppled by a strong wind storm.

If mold/mildew is a concern, you may want to plant them so the morning breeze will whip down the row and push the morning dew/fog away.

It all depends upon your greatest concern.

 

[Bullington]

Thanks Dan for the insight. We are pretty dry here in Eastern Oregon but where we are at the wind does come whipping through, but mostly in the early spring.

 

[PapaBearJay]

From the standpoint of sun, North/south is best if planted close together and east/west if there is enough spacing for the sun to get down into the rows.

But sunlight isn't the only thing to consider. Take into account prevailing winds, especially during a storm. If you have a large run of hops, they will act like a sail and can easily be toppled by a strong wind storm.

If mold/mildew is a concern, you may want to plant them so the morning breeze will whip down the row and push the morning dew/fog away.

It all depends upon your greatest concern.

I think Dan fairly well hit it on the head. When planning a yard, it helps to take into account the major factors that will impact overall growth, both biotic and abiotic, as each may play a larger role in determining how the plants will be affected by the others.


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