2016 Hop Growing Thread

[BrandonMH]

I just cut the vines near the ground. They have been slowly dying anyway. They did their job and I harvested long already. No one wanted them to make a wreath.

 

[Rypcord]

How much crown should you leave up? I cut my vines down, and left them about 5" above the soil. Is that too much/too little?

 

[thaymond]

How much crown should you leave up? I cut my vines down, and left them about 5" above the soil. Is that too much/too little?

After the frost and everything dies, I cut everything down to 0. Right now, I have a foot or 2 of bine left After I cut it down for harvest. They are filling out with leaves again, but will soon die back. Then I cover with leaf and lawn mulch for winter. Rinse. Repeat.

 

[red_beard]

I wanted to start a small hop garden in the Spring, but all of the online shops are either sold out or on back order. Any suggestions where to get rhizomes in the PA/DE area?

 

[BrandonMH]

Are you near philly? Keystone homebrew in Montgomeryville should have some. I goto the Bethlehem location, that's were I got mine from. They also had started plants as well last year. http://www.keystonehomebrew.com

 

[red_beard]

Yes I am. I will try there, thanks!!!

 

[brewcat]

I wanted to start a small hop garden in the Spring, but all of the online shops are either sold out or on back order. Any suggestions where to get rhizomes in the PA/DE area?

If you have time, start it now. Prepare the soil; buy plants from Great Lakes Hops. Plant them this Fall and they'll take off at the beginning of Spring.

 

[red_beard]

I have seen other use containers for growing hops. Is that something that I can do in my area (South East PA)? With the cold winters I wasn't sure if the containers would offer the protection from the frozen soil. If so, would I just move the containers to the garage in the winter and water periodically?

 

[B-Hoppy]

Hops are native to areas that undergo freezing temps over the winter so they're used to it, in fact, they actually need a period of cold temps to help reset their growth cycle for the next season. This article has some good general info about hops along with some other breeding information that should help answer some of your questions: http://faculty.agron.iastate.edu/fehr/HOCP/27HOCP.pdf

 

[BrandonMH]

I started my rhysomes in pots last year since it was still a little too cold/frost last year. I got them started and brought them inside at night when it was cold, then just transplanted them a bit later.