How to prune humulus lupulus

Autumn after harvest (cut down); spring when shoots are 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall (thin). In autumn, cut all bines to ground level. In spring, allow shoots to emerge then select the 2–3 strongest per hill to train clockwise up their support strings; remove remaining shoots at soil level. This improves air circulation and hop yield.

Annually — cut back every autumn, thin every spring. Common hops is an herbaceous climber that dies back to the ground every winter naturally, so pruning is straightforward. Cut all stems to the ground in autumn after harvest or once frost blackens the foliage. In spring, select 2–3 of the strongest new shoots per crown to train up; remove all others.

In autumn, cut all bines to ground level. In spring, allow shoots to emerge then select the 2–3 strongest per hill to train clockwise up their support strings; remove remaining shoots at soil level. This improves air circulation and hop yield.