2016 Hop Growing Thread

[Calder]

Went out and trimmed back most of the new growth yesterday as shown in the first picture. The second picture shows the shoots after being cleaned up. The green ones on the left are mostly cascade which I was only able to use the tips because they were quite prickly. The purple ones on the right are centennial and had smooth shoots.
I cooked up the two groups of hop shoots two ways. The green ones I simply cooked in the microwave. The purple ones I cooked in a grill pan on the stove in some rosemary seasoned olive oil.
The green ones were very slightly bitter, whereas the purple ones were quite delicious.

I didn't know you could eat them. What do they taste like?

 

[ffaoe]

The purple ones were bland in flavor. I cooked them along with asparagus with the same seasonings. The hop shots were like tiny asparagus spears, a little crispier though.

There's quite a few hop shoots recipes online. Pickling them comes up a lot on a google search.

 

[pelop777]

Just curious since this is the first I've seen anybody put a box in the ground... what is the purpose? Is it to keep the roots from taking over the rest of your garden?

 

[pelop777]

Just curious since this is the first I've seen anybody put a box in the ground... what is the purpose? Is it to keep the roots from taking over the rest of your garden?

Oops. That was supposed to be a reply to Philipmeese's post

 

[philipCT]

Just curious since this is the first I've seen anybody put a box in the ground... what is the purpose? Is it to keep the roots from taking over the rest of your garden?

Yes, exactly. It's supposed to contain the roots because apparently, although we humble souls are trying to grow our hops plants, after a while, they can becom an invasive species and wander all over the place underground.

I guess I saw that on a video somewhere. Seemed like a good idea for containment, but also for anchoring the climbing lines.

 

[philipCT]

More build pics now that it's done (and again sorry for cross posting in the 2014 thread)

And BTW my rhizomes came yesterday. We're expecting some sub-freezing overnight temps next week so I'm just going to leave them in the fridge for now and plant them next weekend (reminder: southern CT).

 

[signpost]

Well, I've got my order of field grade plants from Great Lakes Hops. They just came in the mail this morning. I'm hoping to get them in the ground on Sunday. But I still need to get my trellis up. I've got the location prepped, but have to get the lumber and assemble the darn thing.

 

[BlackIce]

I was going to take some update pics today but here in Michigan it has been snowing all day long. I hope my hops make. They are all up.

 

[BaylessBrewer]

Got my first rhizomes yesterday and planted them today. 2 Cascade and 1 Centennial. They looked great with lots of little buds and shoots on them so I'm hoping they take. All 3 were as big around as my ring finger and about 6-7in long.

 

[DurtyChemist]

Cut back all growth today. I a.so moved thwarted bed ditto first year cascade and the root system justtookOVER the garden. Seriously...this WILL take over a yard. 12' horizontal growth for 2' vertical. Covered in hot mulch and more IDGAF attitude. I have a hop garden planned with garden beds and a 20' structure.

 

[afro_lou]

I'm so sad/pissed. Had 4 solid 2 year old rhizomes in the ground. I was waiting patiently for them to sprout this year, but had nothing so far. Finally got around to checking them today, found out that gophers had gotten around the steel wire mesh and eaten all my rhizomes. Bastards.

 

[Leezer]

A picture I took yesterday of my second year cascade making an appearance. Now it's covered in a couple inches of snow with more snow expected tomorrow. Gotta love New England.

 

[brewcat]

Went out today to cut out old growth and check the hops. All mine are starting to come up. Cascade, Magnum and Hallertau. The magnum and hallertau field grade from Great Lakes Hops I planted in October are looking good. I then covered everything back up. I'll trim them back in the next few weeks.

I suppose I'll have to get my trellis system and drip system ready.

 

[The_Bishop]

5 out of my 6 hops are doing well. Sadly, my Golding plant seems to be DOA... Nothing growing out of it, and the stuff that's showing is spongy/rotten.

Ordered a Willamette to replace it.

 

[val214]

Cascade
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1459732742.572931.jpg

Sazz
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1459732761.648449.jpg

 

[philipCT]

Southern CT. It's actually snowing today. Overnight temps this week are predicted to be below freezing several nights.

OTOH my rhizomes, in their little plastic baggies as shipped, and stored in the butter tray of the fridge, have sprouted little shoots.

Should I plant the rhizomes? The beds are all ready. I could have them planted in 20 minutes.

 

[sablesurfer]

I'm so sad/pissed. Had 4 solid 2 year old rhizomes in the ground. I was waiting patiently for them to sprout this year, but had nothing so far. Finally got around to checking them today, found out that gophers had gotten around the steel wire mesh and eaten all my rhizomes. Bastards.

<silent moment>

 

[sablesurfer]

Southern CT. It's actually snowing today. Overnight temps this week are predicted to be below freezing several nights.

OTOH my rhizomes, in their little plastic baggies as shipped, and stored in the butter tray of the fridge, have sprouted little shoots.

Should I plant the rhizomes? The beds are all ready. I could have them planted in 20 minutes.

I would make sure the baggies are open, they plants will need air, and then you could just lay them in some dirt that you transplant into the yard later.

 

[BlackIce]

Hop update. So we had snow on Sat. Pics are from Sunday. Today we are also getting snow so I put dirt on top of them.
Chinook, Columbia, Cascade and Centennial

 

[brewcat]

Southern CT. It's actually snowing today. Overnight temps this week are predicted to be below freezing several nights.

OTOH my rhizomes, in their little plastic baggies as shipped, and stored in the butter tray of the fridge, have sprouted little shoots.

Should I plant the rhizomes? The beds are all ready. I could have them planted in 20 minutes.

I would go ahead and plant them. Below freezing isn't going to do anything especially when the ground is going to stay warm.

 

[sablesurfer]

When the HECK did TWINE become a cheap azz unreliable product?!?!? Something that has been reliably man made since the Neanderthals and Lowes selling twine that is splitting the moment I try to pull it through a ring!!!! GAH. Hops going to have to wait to be strung up until this weekend.

 

[lzrdkng14]

When the HECK did TWINE become a cheap azz unreliable product?!?!? Something that has been reliably man made since the Neanderthals and Lowes selling twine that is splitting the moment I try to pull it through a ring!!!! GAH. Hops going to have to wait to be strung up until this weekend.

Which stuff did you get? I was just at Lowe's tonight looking at stuff. Ordered root crowns from great Lakes yesterday so have a little time until I need twine.

 

[spunxter]

When the HECK did TWINE become a cheap azz unreliable product?!?!? Something that has been reliably man made since the Neanderthals and Lowes selling twine that is splitting the moment I try to pull it through a ring!!!! GAH. Hops going to have to wait to be strung up until this weekend.

I know exactly what u mean. I went through that last year, ended up going with jute twine that someone on here recomended. I used to use that reg twine for tying stuff up years ago and i dont remember it being so frail as it seems to be today. I think i bought tbe jute twine at ace hardware although i may be mistaken. ( ive been known to forget things from time to time)

 

[thaymond]

I used something like this last year. It worked beautifully.

http://www.seagearmarine.com/manila...6ee93bHFTqfCGAQXoWmCFhlBHawb2ylaDQaAlqr8P8HAQ

 

[lzrdkng14]

I used something like this last year. It worked beautifully.

http://www.seagearmarine.com/manila...6ee93bHFTqfCGAQXoWmCFhlBHawb2ylaDQaAlqr8P8HAQ

Do you recall which thickness?

 

[Dfitz]

Last week leaving for a two week trip I noticed 5 of 7 plants I put in last fall sprouting. Two of the 7 seemed to die off last fall well before it was freezing. These may need replaced.

 

[thaymond]

Do you recall which thickness?

It is 4 ply sisal rope. 1/4 inch thickness. That manilla stuff is about the same, only stronger.

 

[sablesurfer]

Which stuff did you get? I was just at Lowe's tonight looking at stuff. Ordered root crowns from great Lakes yesterday so have a little time until I need twine.

The Lowes I went to had only small rolls of twine down on the chain/cable row. Looking through them I noticed the label said safe working load 7lbs. Only thing with higher was actual string or then small rope.

Normally I have big spools of twine around the house, that take years to use up. It has worked for tying up yard waste, lumber piles, hops, etc. My last big roll appears to have been left out in snow all winter long.

Never had a problem with twine carrying bails of used lumber to the curb. This new stuff doesn't even come close to 7lbs it is rated. Snapped twice pulling through rings and it is the nastiest, clumpiest, frayed stuff I have ever seen.

I'll have to see what Ace has on the way home.

Appears this is what I got:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_349245-258-071514021164_1z11328Z1z1132dZ1z11olo__?productId=3587908&pl=1

 

[jsvinth34]

Temporary home in Sacramento, CA. Will replant in a couple weeks. This is from Great Lake hops, two comet, two Pacific Gem, one Teamaker

View attachment 1460006759260.jpg

 

[BrandonMH]

The Lowes I went to had only small rolls of twine down on the chain/cable row. Looking through them I noticed the label said safe working load 7lbs. Only thing with higher was actual string or then small rope.

Normally I have big spools of twine around the house, that take years to use up. It has worked for tying up yard waste, lumber piles, hops, etc. My last big roll appears to have been left out in snow all winter long.

Never had a problem with twine carrying bails of used lumber to the curb. This new stuff doesn't even come close to 7lbs it is rated. Snapped twice pulling through rings and it is the nastiest, clumpiest, frayed stuff I have ever seen.

I'll have to see what Ace has on the way home.

Appears this is what I got:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_349245-258-071514021164_1z11328Z1z1132dZ1z11olo__?productId=3587908&pl=1

I saw similar stuff with the 7 lb rating and I didn't get it, and glad I didn't. The sisal at HD looked crappy and thinner in some areas and thicker in others on the same roll.