Charlottesville Area Masters of Real Ale

Hi All-

I'm starting to look for rhizomes to plant this spring.  Two questions for the group:

- which varieties seemed to work best in the area last year?

- recommendations on where to order rhizomes?

Thanks
Will

Plant what you think you will use.  Most of the time, Cascade and EK Goldings will be flexible. 

Some varieties do fair than others.  I have had Nugget hops for 5 or 6 (maybe more) years and they are one varieties that is most disease resistant.

Lots of place carry them.  I've used:

Freshops (which carries the jumbo-sized ones, too): https://commerce.peak.org/vh/f/freshops.com/cgibin/shopper.cgi?search=action&category=RHIZ&keywords=all&template=Templates/rhizomes_storebuilder.html

But Northern Brewer and many other national places will carry them.

Make sure you pick a location that gets lots of sun and has good drainage.  My hops have not done well at all the past two years (not a single hop cone).  I think this has to do with them getting shade from surrounding trees and the Virginia clay that makes up the bulk of the soil in my yard.  I am going to try early fertilizing this year to see if it helps them grow.

The good news is they have not died yet!