Hop Bed

[modenacart]

Can I use a couple of inches of sand for the bottom layer and a few inches of horse manure for the top layer for my hop bed? We have acidic soil here so I will have to amind if its going to be close to a ph of 6.5. Also, should I raise my bed. We have a crapload of sun in the summer so I am putting them on the shady side of my house.

 

[Kugster]

Hey...My GF's Rents use to live in New Bern, actually have the car they bought there...crazy.

Sand is good for drainage and maybe mix the manure with the soil. Keep check of your soil PH...it's good for the hops to have a soil PH of 6.0 - 7.5 and they DO love the sun. I need to worry about TOO much sun being here in AZ. And 110f temps...I'm getting my manure tomorrow and hopfully Rhizomes soon too!!!

Kug

PS. I have a info sheet from Northern Brewer about the recomended soil conditioins...don't seem to be able to get to it on thier site since they are sold out of Rhizomes...I will transpose it tonight or tomorrow for ya...not a lot of info but good for the 1st timers like me.

Actually this site is full of information...http://www.crannogales.com/HopsManual.pdf

 

[modenacart]

Thanks for the reply. Last time I checked the ph in our garden it was about 5.5 so I am alittle concerned about mixing with the local dirt. That is why I was thinking of just the manure because I figure its going to be more neutral.

New Bern is not a bad place. I like not having a lot of traffic, just sucks when you need to buy something.

 

[Kugster]

I have taken some landscaping / gardening classes and they say you should use your local dirt...cause it will eventually end up in it. Just mix it up with the nutrients. Go to that site I left and read it. You can get your soil to where you need it to be, just have to work at it.

Kug

Actually moving to NC next year...Charolette area, have family near there.

 

[modenacart]

Not a bad area. I grow up in Gastonia. That placed really sucked when I was there, but people with more money are moving there to work in Charlotte. It sounds like the crime is going down because of it.