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.

Second work day March 10, 2pm

This weekend has freed up for me .... Sunday 2pm again

Lets stay on top of the work, max of 90 minutes and weather will be great too

will be opening bee hive with boy scouts at 1:45 too , so if anyone wants to come past early.

Will work on mounding soil on Cascades and Nugget circle -
harvest and  plant new rhizomes ,
string ropes in circles, weeding

hope to have fertilizer also there

Spreading pre emergent herbicide as well

Call me if any questions

BBG Hops Farm Picnic

Board have decided to move the Picnic up this year

so Sunday May 5 will be our Picnic

Please be prepared to work on the farm the weekend before as well as Saturday May 4th please

First work date set : March 3 , 2pm

Ok by general consensus , we will work on Sunday March 3, let us do this in early afternoon 2pm, so we can drink a beer afterwards

Only snow or heavy rain will stop us , I will be out there no matter what.

Tools , general gardening tools, shovels , rakes, including pruning shears, as we have to cut down all the old dried up growth, and cart it away.

I suggest gloves unless you have tough hands.

If you have a Weedeater , please bring it too


If anyone has an edging machine (heavy duty wheel kind), I would like to do the same as last year where we create a barrier around the hops planting by digging a trench

Also please all bring 2 bags of top soil each to top dress all the hop beds


Lastly new guys , if you would give me some $$$  that will help in buying fertilizer etc, I dont mind if you break it into multiple payments,

March 2nd or 3 rd - Farm Work day

First weekend in March
Let me know if Sat afternoon or Sunday morning is best

Welcome BBG Hops coop members

Hopefully this will enable us to keep open communications guys

Feedback needed obviously too

Silence is acceptance

Putting Up the poles

Workers galore

Weeding as always

Drippers and Irrigation

First years growth

Mac picking some of the sweetest Cascades you could wish for

Steve working in the Nuggets