Anybody Grow Hops?

Gilbey · 08-01-2005, 05:23 PM

Anybody else here propogate their own hops? I have Chinooks and Tettnangers growing in my back yard here in NJ. It appears that this year for the first time I will have a harvestable amount of hops. The book I have suggests picking and drying in open air and storing in the freezer. I likely only have enough for one batch though, so they will not be stored that long

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Anybody else??

Gilbey

Toilet Rocker · 08-01-2005, 06:04 PM

Gilbey--where in NJ are you growing hops (not that I'm about to hop your fence for some...)? I haven't tried yet, but gave thought to it.

cowain · 08-01-2005, 06:39 PM

I grow hops here in Little Rock, AR. I have Cascade and Tettnanger. I planted them late last growing season so this is my first season that any hops have shown up. My problem is that bugs/disease/etc. have taken their toll on the Tettnanger. My other problem is that I severely underestimated the ability of hops to grow in good sun and good soil. Also, hops do not like to grow horizontally. I had about 7' of vertical trellis and then figured I could make the vines grow laterally to the extent they exceeded 7'. They do not like growing sideways at all. Next year I have to figure out a way to get at least 12' in vertical growing space.

On the bright side, it looks like I'll probably collect a few ounces of Cascade hops to use in a brew or two.

Turricaine · 08-01-2005, 06:41 PM

It is something that is worth considering.

brewhead · 08-01-2005, 07:12 PM

hops grower in sc

rsitzejr · 08-01-2005, 07:39 PM

Hey Brewhead, where in SC? I'm in NC and am thinking about planting some.

Gilbey · 08-01-2005, 07:48 PM

I am in Hillsborough, Somerset County, NJ. The Japanese beetles have plauged my vines this year, but I should get a few ounces of Chinooks. The Tets are not growing as well. My friend in Hunterdon County has cascades and one other variety, and his are doing very well. I am going to try to pinch some of his cascade vines in the Spring and get them going at my place. Once you get them established they literally grow like weeds!!!

Mine are trellaced up a flag pole that is 15 feet high, and the Chinooks this year outgrew that. I have heard from others that they will only grow vertically and are difficult to train horizontally. Mine like lots of water and direct sunlight, but when it's too hot they slow substantially.

Gilbey

Dragonfly · 08-01-2005, 08:32 PM

I'm in central Indiana & I'm plannin on starting a few vines next year - cascades for sure, and then a couple others

brewhead · 08-01-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsitzejr

Hey Brewhead, where in SC? I'm in NC and am thinking about planting some.

greenville

homebrewer_99 · 08-01-2005, 08:45 PM

I got some roots from a visit to a hop farm in WA State way back about 10 years. I moved around a lot so I gave them to my son-in-law. They are all over his fence...so growing horizontally is possible.

I took a couple of ounces off of his plant the other day. I have them air drying in wicker baskets on the deck.

I'm not concerned if they come out alright or not since I have over 6 lbs of assorted hops in my freezer at the moment.

I planted a root from one of his a couple of months ago along with some German Hallertau. They really haven't taken off all that much. I'm hoping next year will be better.

I'm from Jersey also, Camden, Atlantic City, Ocean,
Manahawkin. I'm in IL for the second time, 87-97, 04 to present.

I lived in NC 3 times. Twice at Bragg and once in Raeford (outside of Bragg) - 73-74, 79-80, 97-99.

Come to think of it...I'll be in Washington State this weekend and most of next week. Maybe I'll pick something up...