Cascade Hops

Hops are the flowers, or cones, of a plant called Humulus lupulus.Only the female plants are used commercially. Hops help to keep beer fresher; help beer retain its head of foam and add “hoppy” aroma, flavor, and bitterness.Hops are also used in brewing for their antibacterial effect over less desirable microorganisms.

Hops are grown vertically on coconut coir twine which is cut when they are harvested.They are perennials.Hops like beets require boron in the soil.

New York historically had a very important hop industry about one hundred years ago. In 1880, New York produced 21 million pounds of dried hops, most of the US crop, which sold upwards of $1.00/pound.In 2019 NY was the 5^th largest hops producer but only 0.7% of the market.Mildew, aphids, and spider mites are enemies of hops.New varieties are more disease resistant and companion planting can reduce pests.

Hops love: Marigolds as they repel beetles

• Chives- Chives planted near hops seem to keep aphids away from cones and new shoots.
• Coriander- Coriander can repel spider mites and aphids, which often plague hops vines.
• Anise- Anise is another good plant to try companion planting with hops. The pungent scent deters many pests and the plant is a host for predatory wasps, which will eat sap sucking aphids.
• Yarrow- Yarrow increases the vigor of plants nearby, while attracting ladybugs and beneficial wasps.

References:https://hops.cals.cornell.edu/hops-in-ny/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopshttps://thebrewhut.com/blog/how-to-grow-hop-rhizomes/