First time growing

[planker101]

Just planted my first rhizomes. 2x reasonably sized cascades. Super excited to watch them grow!

 

[55x11]

Just planted my first rhizomes. 2x reasonably sized cascades. Super excited to watch them grow!

Nice, what is your setup for watering? any comments on cost/parts needed?

 

[planker101]

2x rhizomes were $28 shipped. Don't know at all if that's fair, saw them on craigslist and found out it was a person relatively close to me who grew them and figured I'd give it a try. Watering is a drip system that I manually turn on, but I may buy a timer for it. The drip tube was free from a friend. I built the planter box about a year ago, probably $150 in materials, but a bit labor intensive. If I sold the box I would have to ask at least $300 to make it worth my time.

 

[Leezer]

Awesome! I'm in my third year with a cascade and a goldings. Definitely fun to watch the different phases of growth. Enjoy!

 

[Calder]

That rhizome looks plenty healthy. I would say you probably paid over the normal going price. They are usually about $5 on-line, but then you usually get a 'stick' that you wonder if it is actually alive and will it grow. For the most part they are fine.

It looks like the box is off the ground. Why? These things can grow to 20 ft. How are you planning on training them? Looks like the box is closed off at the top.

 

[planker101]

The box is off the ground cus it's the best way to do it! Haha. I built it for veggies originally, but hops will be way more rewarding. The person I bought the rhizomes from had $4 ones that were probably like the "sticks" you are talking about, but my understanding is that the bigger the rhizome the more likely you are to get an actual harvest your first year so I paid the extra $6.
Reasons for the raised bed: Never deal with root infestation. Never deal with gophers. Adjust drainage to exactly what you need. No more sore back or knees from bending over.
The cage on top is to prevent deer and birds from eating my stuff and to prevent cats from using it as a litter box. It is hinged to open as needed for access. Once the hops are big enough I have a cable strung between two trees that I will hang rope from for the vines to climb (at which point the cage will be removed... hopefully the cats stay away.) I won't quite be at 20' to the cable, but close enough and the vines can always follow the cable if they need to.
I attached a pic of my broccoli that I just picked showing the cage opened up.

 

[Calder]

Got it. Sounds like you are well prepared.

 

[newtobrew1981]

Gl

 

[planker101]

First sprout came up!