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Herbs, Flowers & Specialty CropsHops Planting Calendar
Hops are vigorous perennial vines that need a tall trellis and a long runway. A hops calendar covers site and trellis work before planting, spring planting after frost danger and a patient first year.
Key points
- Plant rhizomes in spring when soil is workable; plan trellis first.
- Choose a sunny, well-drained site with room for tall supports.
- Expect little harvest in year one.
- Scout cones for ripeness and follow labels for any pest treatment.
When should you plant hops?
Extension guides from Oregon State, Rutgers and Michigan State describe planting hop rootstock, called rhizomes or crowns, in spring as soon as soil can be worked and is not waterlogged. Potted plants can go out after the last frost. Check your state extension guide for the window in your area.
Count from your average last spring frost. If spring frost is likely after shoots emerge, be ready to protect young bines or accept some setback.
If you order rhizomes by mail, ask for a delivery time that matches your planting window and plant promptly. Rhizomes that sit in a warm room or dry out lose vigor before they go into the ground.
What site and soil do hops need?
Hops want full sun, good air movement and deep, well-drained soil. Standing water causes rot. Extension fact sheets describe the need for a trellis or tall support, so choose a site where you can build one and where the vines will not shade other crops.
Take a soil test before planting. It guides pH and nutrient adjustments, and nutrient management rules vary by state.
Choose varieties with your region in mind. Disease pressure, day length and growing season length all affect how a variety performs, and extension and regional hop growers' groups can tell you which ones have done well locally. Start with a few plants of one or two varieties rather than a large planting, so you can learn the training, pest and harvest routine before scaling up. Keep a record of each variety's emergence date, flowering date and harvest date, since these differ and will guide your future calendar and your drying workload.
What trellis and spacing planning comes first?
Hop bines climb strings or wires, and the height of the support affects yield potential. Extension guides give typical trellis heights and plant spacing; read them before ordering materials. Trellises must be strong enough to carry heavy, wet vines in wind, so plan anchoring carefully and check local building or safety rules if the structure is tall.
Build the trellis before planting or soon after, so training is not delayed.
How do you plant rhizomes?
Plant rhizomes with buds pointed up at the depth your extension fact sheet recommends, and water them in. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Shoots appear after soil warms.
When shoots emerge, select the strongest few according to extension guidance and train them clockwise around the string, since hops twine in a consistent direction. Remove extra shoots to focus the plant's energy.
Weed control around young hops matters because they establish slowly at first. Mulch and shallow cultivation work in small plantings, while any herbicide use should follow the label and local rules.
What can you expect in years one, two and three?
First-year plants focus on roots, and harvests are usually small or absent. Extension sources describe fuller production in later years as the crown matures.
Keep notes on shoot emergence, training dates, flowering and harvest each year.
- Year one: establish roots, train bines, control weeds.
- Year two: stronger growth, modest harvest in many cases.
- Year three and after: mature production, annual maintenance and pest scouting.
When are hops ready to harvest?
Cones are harvested late in the season when they feel dry and papery, spring back when squeezed and show the aroma and color described in extension guidance. Harvest timing varies by variety and weather, so scout cones rather than relying on a date. Dry harvested hops using methods recommended by extension, and store them properly.
After picking, plan for drying space with airflow and a way to keep damp, hot piles from forming. Hops can heat and spoil if left in a bin, so spread them thinly as extension drying guidance describes.
What pests and diseases affect hops?
Downy mildew, powdery mildew, spider mites and aphids are among the problems described in extension sources. Good airflow, sanitation and removing lower leaves help limit disease. If a pesticide is considered, follow the label exactly, including pre-harvest intervals, and protect pollinators. Applicator licensing rules vary by state, and extension can advise on current options.
Plan for the end of the season too. Bines are cut down after harvest, and the crowns rest through winter. Mulch where winters are hard, clear old vine debris to reduce disease carryover and mark the crowns so you can find them next spring.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.