Hop Growing in Pennsylvania

[MrOH]

Long story. I was growing hops in large planters on my balcony in Richmond, VA, before moving to Philly two years ago. Cut down the hops, brought them with us, even though we wouldn't have an outdoor area, because we were planning on joining a community garden and building a pergola to grow them on. We never did, so the pots just stayed in the apartment for a year and a half and never did anything. Tossed them into the front yard this spring (we're not really allowed to do anything in the front yard, but the first floor tenants/landlord/whoever let it get so overgrown that I figured no one would care that someone dumped some dirt in the yard. The landlord actually tilled over the whole yard (its only like a 6x6 patch) and did a little bit of landscaping earlier this summer (mid-june). Just last week I noticed that there are hops growing up the fence. They look like they're the nuggets. Pretty small growth, but what do you expect after all they'd been through? I'm moving out of the state at the end of the month, and will probably never come back, so I won't know what happens with them, but their will probably be some nuggets up for grabs on 32nd north of spring garden in a couple of years, if anyone wants to brave it.

There are also hops growing on a fence in front of a vacant lot in the Rittenhouse square area that I would assume are up for grabs.

 

[WissahickonBrew]

Great story! Not sure if I will brave trespassing in the backyards of 32nd & Spring Garden :cross:, but a stroll past Rittenhouse Square is a no brainer! Can you give a closer approximation for that address?

Long story. I was growing hops in large planters on my balcony in Richmond, VA, before moving to Philly two years ago. Cut down the hops, brought them with us, even though we wouldn't have an outdoor area, because we were planning on joining a community garden and building a pergola to grow them on. We never did, so the pots just stayed in the apartment for a year and a half and never did anything. Tossed them into the front yard this spring (we're not really allowed to do anything in the front yard, but the first floor tenants/landlord/whoever let it get so overgrown that I figured no one would care that someone dumped some dirt in the yard. The landlord actually tilled over the whole yard (its only like a 6x6 patch) and did a little bit of landscaping earlier this summer (mid-june). Just last week I noticed that there are hops growing up the fence. They look like they're the nuggets. Pretty small growth, but what do you expect after all they'd been through? I'm moving out of the state at the end of the month, and will probably never come back, so I won't know what happens with them, but their will probably be some nuggets up for grabs on 32nd north of spring garden in a couple of years, if anyone wants to brave it.

There are also hops growing on a fence in front of a vacant lot in the Rittenhouse square area that I would assume are up for grabs.

 

[Rypcord]

Thought I would give this thread a bump.

I am just looking to start in the central PA (Dauphin county) area. And needing any and all advice possible!

Pictures of how to grow, trellises, etc would be awesome to see!
Places you recommend to buy and what varieties to buy would also be greatly recommended.

Thanks everyone!

 

[WissahickonBrew]

There's tons of practical (and good) advice available via Google, and reading through the threads here @ HBT. There's a commercial hop farm in Huntingdon, PA area.

http://www.flyingsquirrelorganichops.com/Location.html

Good Luck, have fun!

Thought I would give this thread a bump.

I am just looking to start in the central PA (Dauphin county) area. And needing any and all advice possible!

Pictures of how to grow, trellises, etc would be awesome to see!
Places you recommend to buy and what varieties to buy would also be greatly recommended.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Catch22sh]

Was searching the internet for a thread on growing hops in PA, and came across this one. Decided to join the forum!

I live in S. Central PA (near Gettysburg) and I am in my 3rd year of growing hops. I have Cascades and Centennials in year 3, and have grown like they were on steroids from day one. My Nugget, Columbus and Wilamette are in year 2. For my first year, I had cones on the Nugget and Wilamette, but not the Columbus.

I made an IPA a month ago using .5 of Nugget (pellets) as my bittering, but then a lot of my Cascades and Centennials as late additions and for dry hopping. I am very disappointed with how earthy and piney the beer turned out. Really wanted more citrus to come through. I don't know if the timing of my picking was the factor or if I dried them improperly. I just put them on a window screen for a few days in the shade before vacuum sealing them.

Anyway, just thought I'd kick up this older thread with what I'm growing here in PA.