If your hops are starting to produce those iconic cones, you’ve got a real treasure in your garden! Whether you’re looking to brew your own craft beer or just want a soothing cup of homegrown tea, knowing exactly when to harvest is key. Here’s everything you need to know about getting your hop harvest just right.
It’s All About the Ladies
If you want to harvest usable hops, you’ve got to have female plants. Only the female flowers (the cones) contain lupulin—that sticky yellow powder that gives beer its flavor and provides those famous herbal benefits. In fact, most gardeners prefer to grow only female hop plants. Male plants can actually lower the quality of the female cones by pollinating them, which is a big no-no, especially in regions where hops are grown commercially.
Timing Your Harvest Perfectly
Hops are usually ready to pick in late summer or early fall. Depending on your local climate and the weather that year, you might see the first ripe cones at the end of August, with the harvest window staying open through late September. Not sure if they’re ready? Here’s how to check the cones:
- Pick a cone and slice it open lengthwise.
- Look for a bright yellow powder inside—that’s the lupulin.
- Give it a sniff! Ripe hops will have a very strong, distinct aromatic scent.
How to Harvest Your Hops
Ideally, you want to pick your hop cones while they are still green and feel papery, but are still tightly closed. Carefully snip the cones off the vine, being gentle so you don’t bruise or damage them.
Pro tip: Try to harvest on a dry, sunny day. You actually want a few dry days in a row before you pick, because hops that are free of moisture are much easier to process and store.
Drying and Freezing Your Haul
Before you start brewing or steeping, you’ll need to dry your hops. Drying is what makes that lupulin “available” and ready to use. Once they’re dried, you can steep the cones in hot water for a tea that works wonders for relaxation and helping you fall asleep. If you aren’t ready to use them all at once, just pop the dried cones into the freezer. They’ll stay fresh and potent for about a year!
