My hops are ready to pick but it rained today. Should I wait for them to dry before picking them? I plan to dry them in a shallow tray type oast with a shop light providing heat and a box fan to circulate the warm air.
I would personally wait for them to dry prior to picking. Reduces the chance of any mold/mildew growth.
I asked this of the hop growers we visited at Hop and Brew School. They pick wet since they’re gonna dry them anyway. That assumes you have something like a food dehydrator to dry them in.