This here hops pruning, it ain’t rocket science, but you gotta do it right, or them hops won’t grow worth a darn. My old man used to say, “Treat them hops like you treat your kin – give ’em space and cut ’em back when they get outta line!” He was a wise one, that old coot.
First thing you gotta know, hops pruning is important. Why? ‘Cause them hops, they grow like weeds on a hot summer day. You blink, and they’ve taken over the whole dang yard. You gotta keep ’em in check, or they’ll choke out everything else. Plus, if you don’t trim ’em up, the air can’t get through, and then you got mold and all sorts of nasty stuff. Nobody wants that. So this is about hops health.
Now, when do you do this hops pruning? Well, that depends. Early spring, that’s when you gotta get in there and do the first big chop. Them hops, they come back every year, like a bad penny. They is a perennial plant. So in the spring, you’ll see them little sprouts poppin’ up. You gotta be ruthless. Get rid of those weak ones. Snip, snip, snip!
You see them hops gettin’ all tangled up? That ain’t good. They need room to breathe, just like us folks. So you gotta thin ’em out. Don’t be shy. Get your clippers and go to town. It might seem harsh, but it’s for their own good. That’s what hops pruning is all about.
Don’t wait too long either. If you let them hops get too big before you start pruning, you’re just askin’ for trouble. It’s like tryin’ to untangle a ball of yarn after the cat’s been at it. A real mess. So get in there early and often.
- First, wait for the first frost to hit, and cut them vines back.
- Leave a foot or two, and cover it with some of that mulch stuff. Protects it in winter.
- Next year, when it’s spring, and you see them little sprouts, pinch ’em off!
- Around May, you can let a couple grow per string.
Another thing, you see them hops climbin’ all over the place? They love to climb. That’s just their nature. So you gotta give ’em somethin’ to climb on. A trellis, a fence, whatever you got. Just make sure it’s sturdy, ’cause them hops, they get heavy. And you want a better harvest, do you? Hops pruning helps the plant grow stronger and produce more.
Now, about them tools. You don’t need nothin’ fancy. A good pair of clippers, that’s all. Sharp ones, though. You don’t want to be hackin’ away at them vines. Nice clean cuts, that’s what you want. And make sure you clean them clippers after you’re done. You don’t want to be spreadin’ diseases around. So make sure to have some proper tools for hops pruning.
Some folks, they like to wear gloves when they’re doin’ their hops pruning. That’s fine, I guess. Me, I like to feel the plants. Get my hands dirty. But if you got sensitive skin, then go ahead and wear gloves. Ain’t no shame in that.
And don’t be throwin’ away them clippings! You can use ’em for mulch, or compost, or even feed ’em to your chickens, if you got any. Waste not, want not, that’s what I always say. Every time you do the hops pruning, remember to keep those useful things.
Now, I ain’t no expert, but I’ve been growin’ hops for a long time, and I’ve learned a thing or two. And the most important thing I’ve learned is that hops pruning is key. You gotta prune them hops if you want ’em to thrive. It’s just that simple.
So, get out there and get to prunin’! And don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. It’s all part of the fun. And when them hops are lookin’ their best, you’ll be glad you did. Trust me, a little bit of hops pruning can make all the difference in the world.
Oh, and one more thing. Don’t be plantin’ them hops too close together. They need space, just like us folks. Give ’em plenty of room to grow, and they’ll reward you with a bountiful harvest. Plant in spring after the last frost. Make the ground all loose, put in some good dirt, and water them good. That’s the way to start with your hops pruning.
And don’t forget to water them hops! They like a good drink, especially when it’s hot out. But don’t overdo it. You don’t want to drown ’em. Just give ’em a good soak every now and then, and they’ll be happy as clams. If it’s dry, give them a good watering a couple of times a week. They like that. Also, put some of that fertilizer stuff on them a few times while they’re growing. Makes ’em big and strong, this is important for hops pruning.
And that’s about all there is to it. Hops pruning ain’t hard, but it’s important. So get out there and give it a try. You might just surprise yourself. And who knows, maybe you’ll even enjoy it. I know I do.
