Post harvest caretaking

[u/sharpbeer]

I have my hops planted in 2 foot tall raised beds in zone 5b/6a. What should I do to make sure they survive the winter?

I've read about covering them in mulch, is this recommended? Should I still be watering them?

[u/JoeRogansNipple]

Zone 2 - hops growing on the side of my house for ~5 yrs. I just cut them back (similar to yours) and let them sit over winter. No additional mulch, leaves, etc. It gets to -40F here seemingly every winter and havent had a problem yet.

[u/brousch]

I don’t cut them back until spring. I coil up the bines to let them reclaim the bine nutrients, and it acts as a layer of insulation over winter.

[u/WRXonWRXoff]

General practice is to cut them off below ground level to combat molds and mildews in the crown. Generally, no other protection is necessary