growing hops

[ThePrisoner]

I was interested in growing my own hops, I've got a decent amount of space in my backyard but I'm not sure how many rhizomes to buy.
I live in zone 4, possibly 3b climate wise but there's plenty of sunlight in the summer time.
I just want to do a few home brews but not sure how many dired hops I would need and therefore how many rhizomes to put in - I want it to be maneagable.
Also, I take it that it is easier to get malt extract rather than grow barley?

 

[ZebulonBrewer]

No idea on growing hops, but I can say that there is a nice intermediate with the barley growing: buy bulk 2-row grain. It keeps pretty well; just keep it dry

 

[mrdail87]

There's actually a board here dedicated to growing hops: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f92/

You'll probably find the best answers there. For some general guidance, hops generally grow in zones 3-8, so it sounds like you should be good there.

You'll probably have to wait til next year on this project though. Most are sold at the beginning of the growing season, so availability is gonna be pretty scarce, if existent at all. You'll get anywhere between 1-2.5 lbs of hops from what I've heard.

On the barley front, I really can't see it being worth the effort.

 

[captjpr]

I have 4 cascade vines in my side yard and I get enough hops for all my needs. I supplement with small amounts of higher AA hops from the brew store. I brew about a dozen 5 gallon batches per year. I give a bunch of hops away and still have leftovers when the next crop comes in