1. Step 1: Define the Activity
Suitability for Hops
No variety specified
Can be grown successfully anywhere between 35 and 55 degrees N or S
Hundreds of varieties – Aroma vs. Bittering vs. Noble
Focus is on growing hops commercially for harvest of flowers
As opposed to growing for rhizomes to be sold to nurseries, etc.
Planting - ~25yr. Life cycle
Easily propagated – minimal equipment necessary
Hops are harvested by hand – minimal equipment
The Strobile (female flower)
Soil Depth for rooting as well as trellis system important
Deep rooting system
Poles for trellis support should be at least 3’ deep
High water demands – irrigation
Minimum of 120 Frost Free Days needed for flowering
~20-30” precipitation

2. Step 2: Separate Aspects
Criteria
Some Equipment Needed
See Irrigation Interpretation
Weed Control – tillage equipment recommended
Harvest by hand – Small tractor or wagon to carry buckets
Height of trellis, ladder accessibility
Aspect
Trellis Installation
Twining & training vines clockwise
Irrigation
Drip is preferred method
Weed & Disease/Pest Management
Prior to planting & once established between rows
Harvest
Summer – before rains, frost & wind
Commercial growers harvest entire vine
Slope
Relatively flat

3. Step 3: Identify Site Features
35-55 degrees latitude N or S
Slope
< 10%
Full Sun
Frost Free Days
Min. 120 days
Full Flower Development
Warm Dry Growing Season
Disease Control (Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew)
Xeric to Semi Arid climate regime
Wind Protection
Protection from vine breakage
½ acre or more for commercial production
8 foot spacing between rows

4. Step 4: Identify Soil Properties
Depth to Water Table
Roots require Well Drained Soil – 1m min. to water table
Verticillium Wilt
Damage to subsurface tile lines by large roots pH
Mildly Acidic to Mildly Alkali preference
Depth to Restrictive Feature
Very Deep Rooting System
Poles for trellis – 1m min.
Flooding, Ponding
Disease control
Texture
Fine sandy loams, silt loams ideal

5. Soil and Site Suitability – Growing Hops Commercially
Property
Suited
Somewhat Suited
Not suited
Reason
Depth to Water Table
≥ 1 m
 0.5 m – 1 m
< .5 m
Disease Control
Ponding
Rare
 Occasional
Frequent
Disease control
Flooding
Occasional
Frost Free Days
>120
 ≥120
 <120
A minimum of 120 Frost Free Days is needed for full development of hop flower.
Depth to Restrictive Feature
0.5 m – 1 m
< 0.5 m
Hops have a very deep rooting system. Additionally, the poles used in the trellis system should be buried at least 3’ below soil surface. pH
6.0 - 7.0
  ; 7.0 – 8.2
 > 8.2, < 5.7
Prefers slightly acidic soil conditions. Alkaline and saline non-preferable. Soil amendments may be necessary.
Photo Period (hrs/day)
≥ 12 hrs.
10-12 hrs.
< 10 hrs.
During growing season. April – October (at a latitude 35-55)
Precipitation
(non-irrigated)
 >762 mm
  mm
 <508 mm
Dry climate discourages many diseases.
Slope
<5
5-10%
> 10%
Slopes greater than 10% may limit trellis installation and harvest methods.
% Sand
> 50%
<50%
40-50%
< 50%
>50%
Fine sandy loam is the optimal soil texture in higher precipitation areas. Silt loam is optimal in lower precipitation areas.
% Clay
< 20%
> 60%
< 30%
50-60%
> 30%
% Rock Fragments
< 15%
15-35%
> 35%
Affects AWC, tillage, post holes for trellis system

6. Narrative
The hop is a perennial plant that is commercially grown in the Northern half of the United States. The primary function for growing hops is to manufacture beer.
The soil properties and qualities used are found on the criteria table on the previous slide.
The soil properties and qualities that influence the commercial growing of a hops are slope, depth to water table, rock fragments, and depth to restrictive features. Other properties and qualities that may cause problems after construction are flooding, ponding, frost free days, pH, photo period, precipitation, and % sand and clay.

7. Resources Cited for this Interpretation
Literature Review
Resources Cited for this Interpretation
Hops: Organic Production
Small Scale & Organic Hops Production
Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Hop Production in the United States.
Brew your own beer? Why not grow your own hops, too?
Sustainable Hop Production in the Great Lake Region:
Growing Hops in the Backyard-Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension
Rogue Hops Farm, Polk Co., Oregon; Moxee Valley area, Yakima Co., Washington (Site Information)