Packaging the hops

So here are some pics showing how we pkg the hops after drying.

After picking they are put onto racks in a steel container on the farm, left 24 hours and then vacuum packed and frozen.If left more than 48 hours they start to turn brown and are essentially not as good.

We pick and place in any bag for ease, after drying bring back indoors for vacuum packing

Average a 2Oz pkg

All the air out and labelled. I always add the year

One days picking, this was two screens, and about 2 grocery bags of wet hops- probably 2 hrs work

Yellow Lupulin Glands at base of petals

Another view just by peeling back a petal

Pick pick and pick some more

Been a bumper year folks, still plenty of Hops for the picking.

We have a very strong second flush on the back row Cascades which will be ready in 2-3 weeks, they are very small now, but will grow a bunch if we leave them.


Please don't forget to update the qty and lbs you have managed to pick.

End of June and Picking begins

After two weeks away traveling  , and rain almost every day for the last few weeks , it was time to start picking...

Some superb Cascades

Multiple cones on a side shoot - perfect hops

Bobby with his Provincial Basket

Best hops are above standing height - ladders to the rescue

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We have a HUGE harvest ahead of us , the Cascades in the back row are superb and many of the Bines have reached the top and are now crawling along the top wire.

Unless everyone gets out and picks we will not get all the hops off the back row.

the Circles are a little behind, probably another week or two.


We also had to "fix" the fallen Nuggett system, the old Rope Broke (lesson to know for the other rings)   This was a Nylon 3/16 rope with 800lb breaking strain , but has been up in the sun for 5 years  now.

Rob on the ladder picking Cascades

Nuggets down and trying to raise with new rope

The max height we could move it, just too heavy,,, will now shorten the ropes at top and tie them off to raise the bines off the ground

Its been a rainy week, perfect growing weather

Been out of town , but walked across in the rain , and we have hops ready for picking on some Cascades

Lets NOT let them rot on the Bines this year.

8x Neuport were also planted 2 weeks back on the back row , based on success in other parts of NC


Pictures from last weekend

New Cascades on RHS, Last years in background

Nuggets Growing well

Cascades almost to the top, lower growth starting to grow back

Memorial Day weekend, work as always

The spring has been amazing, we have had the best growing season ever, rain weekly and cool days in between.

The back row hops are now at the top of the wire, first time ever.

New growth hops also begining to show promise, cascades in the middle have a number of strong plants , and with the late plantings of Neuport already above ground too.

Work remains a challenge , we need more people out and about , 2 hrs a month each at minimum guys.   If you have even 30 minutes to give, we need it, so please come on out.

We did such an awesome job keeping the lower growth down during April , now is the time to come back and cull the light green growth that is trying to undo that work.

Pics to follow.......

Enjoy the holiday weekend and remember all those who have served before, and are serving our country now.

Pics from May 13

Back row , Cascades 2nd year on left

3rd Work Day Sunday 24 March 2pm

Lets keep at it, and again keep it short , max 90 minutes again


We have done well so far , with good turnouts both weekends

We have weed control to work on , stringing up the lines on back row, and water system

If you have a Hoe , the gardening variety , bring it for working on weeds in centers of circles 


Bring a beer for afterwards too.