No time to plan

[JetSmooth]

I have a friend with a good amount of land who is also a budding home brewer. He likens himself as a "two-acre farmer" or sorts. He has a decent garden, chickens, goats, and pigs. But he still has space available that is full sun. I mentioned hop growing to him but figured we missed it this year. He just got back to me and told me he's up for it this year.

So i have a chance to work with him on a hop project but little time to plan.

Are there any charts i can find that will point us at what varieties grow well in our area? Also, what growing style is best for newbies with little experience? I figure a tent pole would be easiest.

 

[bhughes]

If you're in Maryland, I would say pretty much any american hops would grow well in your area. From what I've read Cascades are pretty easy to grow almost anywhere. I'm starting some Cascade and Centinnial hops here in North Carolina.

As far as growing style, there's not really a newbie way or expert way, just which ever method you decide. As long as it let's them grow tall, like at least 15 ft or higher if you can mabye up to 25 ft. Just know you have to be able to harvest them some how. Most people go with the tent pole, or 2 poles with a line across the top. Just look through some of the pictures and trellis designs on this forum.

 

[DrJerryrigger]

Your timing is fine. You should plan on getting next to nothing the first year anyway, it's just time to build up the plants.
Pick types you want to use for brewing, and they will likely do well.

What ever growing method looks easiest for you is a good one. Just give them something to climb and give them lost of composted manure.

 

[Homercidal]

It's not too late to get started. Cascades will do very well. They are really like weeds. But if you look at some of the info that the hops providers give on their sites, you can see which varieties are more likely to produce a decent harvest. I think most American varieties will do well enough.

 

[JetSmooth]

Excellent news!

I actually have to take a keg into the LHBS tonight to get parts (It's an antique 10 gallon rootbeer keg so it's got weird fittings). I'll probably ask the guy there for some regional reccommendations.

 

[Homercidal]

That reminds me that I got 2 rhizomes from the LHBS last week from last year that never got sold/planted. He said I could take them home and see what happens. I should put them in the big pot and see what happens!

 

[EricT]

Excellent news!

I actually have to take a keg into the LHBS tonight to get parts (It's an antique 10 gallon rootbeer keg so it's got weird fittings). I'll probably ask the guy there for some regional reccommendations.

I thought Root Beer kegs would always impart flavors to your beer no matter how much you cleaned them?

 

[JetSmooth]

EricT, these are OLD stainless steel cornys. So they cleaned up really nice. I don't detect any smell from the soda. Which reminds me, I need to call Tom back and see if he found any parts. I left it with him.

So, back on topic. What should I tell my friend to expect to put in the ground for the hops? I saw EdWort's old thread about his garden. I figure a 15 foot conduit pole in the ground three or four guy lines to hold it up and then twine on pulleys (three per pole?)

Does that sound reasonable?

 

[JetSmooth]

I'm no enginerd, but I whipped these drawings up in MS Visio and exported.

Does this look like I'm planning in the right direction?

Is three feet enough of a grouding for the poles? Or should I drive them five feet deep and let 15 feet stick out? PLanning on assembling two ten foot lengths of conduit together witha coupler like in the Teas Hops growing thread.

View attachment Visio-hops.pdf

 

[JetSmooth]

We planted on April 10. Decided to only plant three of each variety (Cascade and Willamette).

We really didn't know what we were doing and thought we may have killed 'em. But I got a text this morning from my friend that the first Cascade has emerged!

 

[JetSmooth]

So, not to be outdone by the Cascades, little brother Willamette made his appearance today.

 

[Sheldon]

they are so cute when they are that size

 

[JetSmooth]

That's what my mom commented on my blog.

You have such beautiful babies!

Not sure how to take that. haha