Why plant hops in winter?

Although hops are often planted in the spring or fall by professionals, planting hops in winter also has its advantages: the plant is dormant, and the weeks spent in the ground will allow it to get off to a better start as soon as first rays of spring!

Dormancy

The sending of the plants is done in 72 hours on average, the cool temperatures of the months of January-February will allow the plant to be kept dormant. In the life cycle of a plant, dormancy is a state where metabolic activity is reduced to a minimum to preserve its energy.

In the case of hops, the aerial part presents woody residues from the previous vegetative cycle, these dry up and die, while the roots slowly prepare for the arrival of the new cycle by creating new green to purple buds: the future lianas.

Ready to plant ?

Receipt of the order

If you cannot plant it as soon as you receive it (soggy soil, location not ready, no time right now) keep it in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks maximum in its closed bag, or put it in gauge: in a tray or a large bin, fill with soil and a little sand, water to keep the plant in the humidity. It will last 2 months without any problem (be careful not to mix the varieties!)

Make a pralinage

A bucket, water, a good dose of clay soil: the ingredients for a good pralinage! Let the plants soak for about fifteen minutes will rehydrate them and facilitate recovery. (do not hesitate to add a little cow dung, a natural fertilizer that will boost the plant in the spring)

How to plant ?

Planting in winter is strictly the same as the rest of the year, follow the guide!

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Mulch the plant

This simple gesture protects the newly installed plant from strong frosts and stabilizes the water in the immediate vicinity of the roots. Slightly open the mulch with your hands in the spring to let the sun warm the soil and start the plant recovering.

Does the plant fear frost?

Bare-root hops are not very sensitive to negative temperatures, provided they are planted correctly, in moist soil and out of direct contact with the air.