We hope to be getting regular deliveries of spent hops to Ashley hill gate every few weeks from now on. The first two deliveries proved popular. If everyone takes a couple of bags at a time there should be plenty to go round.
We believe that they make an excellent soil conditioner.
One gardening forum ( http://www.growsonyou.com ) quotes this paragraph from Geoff Hamiltons Organic Gardening Book:-
‘….. direct from the brewery, spent hops will be wet and can either be dug in fresh or spread over the surface. They can be composted but it is not necessary. If you do use them fresh, keep them well away from the stems and leaves of young plants to avoid scorching them.’
Help yourselves, first come first served but have a thought for fair shares too. With luck we may be able to get quite regular deliveries, every few weeks or so
Here are some other opinions – drawn from a google search:-
if you leave it on the surface of the soil the winter wind can dry it out and it blows about a bit
_’These have very little food value, but are useful as a soil conditioner if they are available in your area cheaply. They can be used at any time
‘ – they add organic matter as well as a small amount of nutrients.’
Nutrient Content
Nitrogen 0.5 per cent
Phosphorus 1-2 per cent
Potassium 0.5 per cent
Trace elements Full Range
‘The residue from the brewing industry, spent hops have a distinctive strong smell, although this soon disappears when the hops are left out in the open. They make an excellent soil conditioner and are particularly good for mulching. The problem is that spent hops are very difficult to get, but if you are fortunate and live near a brewery, then it is worth calling on the brewery and asking for a few bags. If bought direct from the brewery, spent hops will be wet and can either be dug in fresh or spread over the surface. They can be composted but it is not necessary. If you do use them fresh, keep them well away from the stems and leaves of young plants to avoid scorching them.’
It is possible to buy spent hops dry but, in this form, they are really more a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen – about 2.5-3.5 per cent. Coverage: 1-1.5 Kg (2-3 lbs.) per sq. meter/yard.
From The Organic Garden Book by Geoff Hamilton (1987, Dorling Kindersley Ltd.)’_
