Recent content by JMaslar

I get mushrooms here and there in my potted hops. General rule for the hops is that if the leave curl upwards, then they are evenly watered for the amount of light they get. If the edges curl down, they are over saturated and cut back on watering. The plants will require more o Water during dry...

A few cones beginning to form on my second year Cascades. They are about 12 feet tall and going strong. I'm in upstate NY - last week was rainy so I hope the next few days are as sunny as forecast. I just applied the last dose of foliar compost tea; they love the nitrogen of spent beer grains...

Some of the second years are over 13 feet tall and will be to the top in no time. I thinned back the bottoms of the plants today, and just as I was coming inside, I saw the first sign of flowering. I'll snag a photo ASAP.

Nope, not too late. I've put cuttings in the ground later than this with great success. That's if you an find rhizomes at this point as they often sell out. The purpose of the first grow year is establishing roots and not so much hop production. As long as they come back the 2nd year, the 1st...

My backyard garden. There are 14 buckets total - each are 18 gallons. 3 are on their 3rd season, 6 are on their 2nd, and 5 are new this year. They are Cascade and Willamette.

I see that most of the country has enjoyed a very mild winter and early spring thus far. In Binghamton, NY, it was in the 60s and 70s last week, and still unseasonably warm in the 50s to 60s this week. My 3rd year and 2nd year Cascade and Willamette are 6-18" and going steady. The cuttings I...

+1 to using them in composting. I compost yard trimmings, cardboard, food scraps, and mainly - spent beer grains! The grains are full of goodness still, but I'll warn you: they stink as they break down. I add sawdust to help (don't use dust from walnut wood, as it has arsenic).

What is the highest ratio of rye you have successfully used in a beer? Any issues other than stuck runoff? I tried searching for a thread on this but I only have the phone app right now (shhh, Im at work). I'm looking to do a beer that is mostly rye and was wondering how far people have pushed...

EZFrag, We use these valves from the Brewtroller store: Open Source Control Systems :: Valves We use the two way valves and have plans to use the 3 way ones in the future when we upgrade. What kind of system are you planing?

You can find them around from food companies. I have found them locally for $12-15. I would call around and look on craigslist. I know people who make wine at home in these. Cheers!

Yeah, that's what I am planning on. Going to order the needed plugs and parts tomorrow. The opening is 2" so I think that will work. I'm then going to drill a 1" hole for the faucet. I will do a write up on how it all goes. When this works, I'm going to try one of the mini Labatt kegs. Not the...

The house I live in once belonged to my grandparents and is now owned by my aunt and uncle. They said whatever I find, I can have/use. While searching in my garage/shed today, I found a 7.5 gal AB pony keg (minus the spear). I was going to try and buy a pin or firkin soon, but I am just going...

I am looking for some more info on parti-gyle brewing. I get the process and I have seen some great charts/calculators for 1/3 & 2/3 batches, and for 1/2 & 1/2. What I am looking for is how to calculate for 2/3 big beer, 1/3 small beer. I brew 10 gallon all grain normally, so I would do this as...

I would snag it. You will be that much farther along next year. You should be able to get a good amount of root growth before the temperatures drop.

Yes, they are not terribly deep, but we had quite a few. They are all second years - all 3. We have also had an immense amount of heat and rain - 70s to high 80s for a week with huge rain and thunder storms. Some hops it would cause root rot, but our buckets drain well so the plants LOVED...