Growing Hops in the North East

[Bobba]

Well mine's nackered. Just seem to shrivel up a couple of weeks ago. No sign of any flowers or anything
Might have been a little too restricted in that pot?

[GeordieBrewer]

Well Geordie, you won't be getting hops off that one in your hand as you've just cut them off!!! Flowers/cones is the same thing, just depends what you want to call them.
They look like they are forming very nicely but obviously as you are much farther North than me you will be a little behind. We have just started to harvest in Kent and Sussex and it's looking like a really good year. I would say you have another couple of weeks to go before they are ready. Just make sure you don't cut any more off!

Hehe I had a few stems that needed to be cut back as they were invading a wisteria (amazing how far these things can travel) It's the first year hops have formed, and got a pretty good harvest at 150g, There's a minot hop aroma when you squeeze them, but they spring back out, so think they're ready, although the Alpha Acid must be in the region of 1

[Beerswilla]

Martin,
I live in Consett and have had a great harvest of Fuggles hops this summer.
I bought the plant last year but only got a handfull of cones because of the cold wet summer.
This year I halved the root and put one plant in a tub and the other in the ground in case we were flooded again.
I've just picked the flowers and dried them, There was about two an a half pounds of dried flowers, so I've vacuum sealed them and frozen them for later.
I'm originally from Newcastle, my dad lives there still and his garden is always about a month ahead of mine, so I'd give the hops a go if I were you.
Regards Steve C

[Jim]

Steve, I'm amazed you can grow hops in Consett! Maybe I should have a go.

[pantsmachine]

I had a successful harvest this year (1 kilo dried). I have moved hops around my garden over the years and my conclusion is that the further North you are the more you need to identify the best micro-climate in the garden. I find that shelter from wind is a particular aid to hop growing in the North. I have success with West facing hops in a sheltered spot and great success with a former East facing wind exposed poor performer to its new North facing sheltered semi shade location. Hope this helps anyone with poor performers. Watering, feeding and as much good old fashioned manure/compost as you can get onto the mound will help as well!

[punt1971]

I was thinking of trying to grow some in my Dads allotment in Gateshead this year. He said I can but no doubt he'll charge me a few beers, I can live with that!

Anyway, I'm a big fan of the citrusy, fruity American hops (citra, cascade, amarillo...); do you reckon something like that would grow in the wilds of the North East?

Cheers!