2011 Annual Report for FNC10-830
Evaluating the suitability of low-trellises and various hop cultivars for small organic farm production in Northeast Kansas
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
As soon as we received notice that we received the grant we went right to researching the different varieties of hops and their availability. Unfortunately it was a little late in the season to acquire tubers, but we were able to find 12 different varieties to try. We purchased approximately 50 plus of each variety. The varieties included Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Zeus, Nugget, Hallertauer, Mt. Hood, Willamette, Newport, Northern, Galena, and Brewers Gold.
Next step was to prepare the field. We decided on 2 rows of each variety, planted in alphabetical order, so we could better keep track of their progress. This land was previously fallow so it took a bit of work to get it worked up and ready for planting. We planted the tubers on a very rainy and muddy day. I think that was the last rainy day we had that summer. Our apprentices did enjoy this work, though.
Now that the hop plants were in the ground, the next step was to design and begin the process of constructing the trellising. We decided to use hedge [hedge apple or osage orange] for the support posts and found a supplier about an hour away that had enough posts in the height we needed. We went to their site and helped sort out the ones for our project, and they then delivered the posts to us. We rented a walk-behind posthole digger and dug the holes in one afternoon. During that afternoon we were also able to install about 1/3 of the poles. The pole mounting continued for weeks.
At this point a lot of the hops had sprouted and were starting to show some growth. Probably about a ¼ of the plants were still not showing any growth above the ground. We continued to monitor their growth to see when the appropriate time might be to complete the trellising system.
Then the heat and lack of rain set in and growth stopped on the hops. The weeds and grass continued to grow around them and we continued to mow between the rows and try and keep the hop plants free of weeds. By the time the temperatures dropped back to normal, we still did not have much in the way of moisture, so the hops did not grow much into the early fall. Once the frost hit, they died back down to the ground. As a result we did not finish the installation of the trellising system.
The grant money was spent mostly on labor to do the above described work. We also used the funds to pay for half of the hop plants and half of the trellising system materials.
RESULTS SO FAR
The summer of 2011 in Kansas was incredibly tough to grow most anything. The temperatures were way above normal for an extended period of time, and the rains were absent for most of the summer putting us in a drought situation.
The hops really struggled in this environment. We do not have irrigation to this field so we were unable to give them the water they needed to grow properly. During the extreme temperatures their growth slowed down remarkably. Through the fall we didn’t see much growth at all and at this point we aren’t sure any of them would survive and come back next year.
We would like to install irrigation to them next year, but unfortunately that is not feasible. We are hopeful that 2012 will bring some timely rains and lower temperatures so we can see which varieties are the most hardy.
WORK PLAN FOR 2012
We hope that at least some of the hop plants will survive and regrow next year. When the appropriate time comes we plan to complete the trellising system. Funds are still not available to install a well and irrigation system to the hop field, so we are hopeful that Mother Nature will lend us a hand. We will continue to maintain the field with mowing and weeding. We are discussing the possibility of mulching the plants as well.
OUTREACH
Our farm was a participant in the Kaw Valley Farm tour in the fall of 2011 and a tour of the hop field was part of this tour. We estimate approximately 200 people toured our farm that week-end. We have also had inquires via email of which we have shared our information and experience.
We hope to continue to share information via field days and tours next year. We have at least 2 small field days planned.