I have a pail on my balcony with cascade hops that I grew last year. At the end of the year, I cut them down to the ground, so now there is just a withered stalk there. Do I just need to water the soil and keep it moist for them to come back? I've read here that the yield is supposed to be much better the second year. Thanks.

mark

yea you just need to water them and add a little fertilizer, but I think they grow best in the ground and not in a pail. Who knows you might be the best yeld out of everyone.

Yep, just add water. There should already be some signs of growth by now if the soil never got too dry.
It might be tough for you in CA and a pail. I rely on the winters snow fall to cover the roots for insulation from the frigid temps but is also waters the soil when it melts, this helps wake up the root system.