Using spent hops

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allotment-shed

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  • Location: Bristol, UK
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Using spent hops
« on: August 26, 2018, 12:13 »
I've been collecting small amounts of spent hops from a local brewery for over a year and adding this to my compost mix with no problems.
Recently, the hop supply has increased and is too much to go directly into the compost at once so it's being stored where I mix it with about 10% straw in a separate bin until needed.
Just wondered if others use hops and to what their thoughts are?
Thanks for your help.

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ARPoet

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  • Location: Sunny Sheffield
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Re: Using spent hops
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2018, 16:22 »
In a hot summer like the one we had, spent hops are a good mulch to stop evaporation.
Been using them for years.
Roger.

Its Grand Being Daft

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makedoandmend

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Re: Using spent hops
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2018, 16:46 »
I researched this a number of years ago. I found a very old article discussing their use on a golf course that had flooding issues.
After reading the article I was reassured that especially in clay soils, spent hops were the way to go.
My clay soil defied all previous attempts at redemption, in the summer the spade would bounce off and a fork would bend / snap. In the winter it was just a slippy, slimey mess.
Since using a combination including hops the whole thing has turned around. I can dig the whole veg plot in an afternoon (not a huge plot but previously unworkable). I can now push my hand / arm directly into the soil up to my elbow without a problem, parsnips are amazing!

I use it as a surface mulch 4 " thick over the winter and dig any remnants in in the spring.

My concern was that like beer slug traps I might be making another problem worse! This hasn't happened at all.

Chuck in the compost and coffee grounds as you go.

I also used sawdust - yes I know BUT used sparingly and soaked in wee (the nitrogen in the wee feeds the bugs that initiate breakdown of the cellulose and hence there's no nitrogen robbing action)  it helps to break up the soil, retain moisture and encourage fungal colonisation of the soil.

No down sides in 10 years of doing this as far as I can see.

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allotment-shed

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Re: Using spent hops
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2018, 17:18 »
Your help and advice is much appreciated, thanks.

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Pescador

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Re: Using spent hops
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2018, 16:48 »
I have used spent hops, and the barley if you can get it, from 2 local brewers and either/both are fantastic soil conditioners. Either add as a mulch or compost first if you choose. I've done both with great results.
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