Hops can be a real powerhouse in the garden, but let’s be honest—sometimes they grow a little *too* well and start taking over everything in sight. If your hops have worn out their welcome, don’t worry. I’ve got some tried-and-true tips to help you reclaim your backyard.
Methods for Getting Hops Under Control
It’s worth noting that cultivated hops are usually better behaved than their wild cousins. But if you’ve decided it’s time for them to go, here are your best bets:
- Keep those vines trimmed down to the ground.
- Mess with the soil moisture (either soak it or dry it out).
- Roll up your sleeves and dig out the entire rootstock.
Keep Trimming Those Vines
One of the simplest ways to weaken hops is to keep cutting them back. As soon as you see those green shoots popping out of the ground, snip them off. By consistently removing the growth, you’re essentially starving the plant; eventually, it won’t be able to pull in enough nutrients to keep going and will die off.
Make the Environment Unhospitable
Hops are a bit like Goldilocks when it comes to water—they don’t like “wet feet” (waterlogging) and they can’t stand bone-dry soil. You can use this to your advantage. If you want to get rid of them, try changing the soil conditions. Either drown the plant with constant water or find a way to keep the roots completely dry.
Dig Out the Rootstock
If you want to be 100% sure the hops won’t come back, digging them out is the way to go. Just a heads-up: hops have deep roots, so this is going to be a bit of a workout! The key here is to make sure you get every single piece of the root. If you leave even a small chunk behind, there’s a good chance it’ll sprout right back up next season.
Should You Use Chemicals?
I’m often asked about using heavy-duty weed killers, but I really don’t recommend the “chemical route” in your garden. These products don’t just target the hops; they can harm your other plants and the local wildlife, too. While organic methods definitely take more patience and elbow grease, they’re the only eco-friendly way to get the job done.
Hops Are Surprisingly Versatile
Before you rip them all out, you might want to consider if there’s a spot for them after all. Hops are actually pretty cool plants! You can harvest the flowers to make a relaxing evening tea, or even cook the young shoots just like asparagus. And of course, there’s always homebrewing! Even if you aren’t interested in eating or drinking them, they make a fantastic natural privacy screen for your patio.