Growing Hops 2008
Just read through all the older "Growing Hops" strands and figured it was getting to be that time of year for ordering and planting. Since we're all dealing with the shortage and price jump I figure many of you would be considering growing your own this year. There is LOTS of info in the older strands so it's good to read them all.
I'm on Long Island and will be planting a few here but also have access to house upstate NY. Any ideas on varieties that need less care? I have very rocky soil (lots of shale) so I know I'll need to prepare the soil but have great southern exposure and lots of area. Down side also have lots of deer... anyone know if they are a deer favorite? Well just thought I'd get a 2008 strand going and please all the experienced growers post 2008 pictures
dartgod- you had great advise Thanks. also in your pictures it appears your soil isn't that good either... what did you add?
rkrebs wrote:
Just read through all the older "Growing Hops" strands and figured it was getting to be that time of year for ordering and planting. Since we're all dealing with the shortage and price jump I figure many of you would be considering growing your own this year. There is LOTS of info in the older strands so it's good to read them all.
I'm on Long Island and will be planting a few here but also have access to house upstate NY. Any ideas on varieties that need less care? I have very rocky soil (lots of shale) so I know I'll need to prepare the soil but have great southern exposure and lots of area. Down side also have lots of deer... anyone know if they are a deer favorite? Well just thought I'd get a 2008 strand going and please all the experienced growers post 2008 pictures
dartgod- you had great advise Thanks. also in your pictures it appears your soil isn't that good either... what did you add?
You can work your soil the best you can and build up a raised bed above it and plant the rhizome in the raised part. Or plant them in containers and start them that way until you can find a suitable spot to transplant them to.
I had somw hops growing on my property and didn't have problems with deer eating them and we have lots of deer but cutworms ruined them twice.
DC
My soil isn't that good......I dug a big hole and added topsoil with a bag of sand mixed in.....this year I plan on adding 8-8-8 fertilizer as that's what is recommended.....other than that I just water them and they grow 
....as far as deer go I haven't had any problem with them and there are plenty around here......the funny thing is my goat eats about anything and he doesn't bother them either.... 
Well, I bit the bullet & bought about $50 worth of rhizomes.
2 each of Cascade, Crystal, Nugget, Sterling, & Willamette, from Freshops.
Got AA from 3% to 16%, with English, American & German profiles.
Checked the cost & shipping with a few other on & off line sources. Got my fingers crossed.
I'm using the 8'x 16' area in the garden that had peppers last year, and I've got a 16" diameter corn crib top that I'm going to raise up as a gazebo, then plant hops around it. Both in full sun. Should be pretty cool, both figuratively & literally.
Got a ton 2-3 yr old horse generated compost.
Am I missing anything?
Thank you for getting the thread going... about to order mine for LI and upnorth NY... glad the deer don't like them. especially since they eat lots of plants you never thought they would. I plan on planting some near a small run'off since I won't be around to water them. I know this is a risk since we've had periods of dry and then a deluge of rain all at once but I figure I'll roll the dice and hopefully be surprised with a barn covered (well that's wishful thinking) in hops. I will post updates.
Thank again and can't wait to hear all the updates
HOPS WELL that ends well
How about dogs and hops...? Are they dangerous for dogs to eat? I would like to try my hand at growing some but the Weimeraner is always on patrol.
I have 4 dogs and they haven't bothered them and neither has my goat and he will eat anything........I just ordered my upgrade for my hop garden........2 each of Cascade, Goldings, Hallertau, and Tettnang........Cascades for my Pale Ales and IPA's, Goldings for my Irish Red Ale, and Hallertau and Tettnang for my German Wheats and Lagers......In a couple years I ought to be set on hops........by the way I ordered them from William's Brewing.....$3.95 a piece if you order 8 or more......
Thanks dartgod ! I think I may order some and see how they do.
I want to order more this year, but i will wait to see how this year goes first, seeing how last year,my 1st, didn't goes so well.
Looking for some pride of ringwood rhizomes...has anyone seen that will ship to canada ?
Try Freshops.com I think they will, but there is some sort of certification that you have to pay extra for.
i ordered 8 rhizomes how much can one expect to get form a root?
I was wondering if anyone knows how agressive the root system of hops is. I have a buddy who is willing to lend me a corner of his yard, but he doesnt want to plant anything that is going to potentially destroy his foundations (like bamboo) or be impossible to pull up.
I have read that they only really spread if you let their vines lay on the ground and sprout, but I've also heard that they can be pretty invasive... anyone?
-R
just ordered a bunch from fresh hops (2 cascade, 2 centennial, 2 kent goldings, 2 mt. hood, and 2 willamette). All other big sites I checked (northern brewer, more beer, williams) are all out!! I planned on combining shipping when I ordered my plate chiller but I guess not...
I am relatively new to home brewing but have decided to attempt growing my own hops this year. I ordered them through fresh hops. I ordered a Cascade, Sterling, Williamette, Centennial, and Nugget varieties. I live in South/Central MN so our growing season is not too short but from what I understand growing a harvestable hop requires 120 days or so. Is this correct from those here that have succeeded in the past at growing them? I decided to start them in-doors in plastic flower box liners with an organic vegetable potting soil, and then will transplant them around the beginning of May when the threat of frost is gone. Is this a good plan?
I have a good site to transplant them at, and additionally intend to build a trellis for them to climb. I have learned a lot from reading past threads but any advice I can get is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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