sleepystevenson
Well-Known Member
Did anyone see the letter to the editor in Zymurgy magazine about growing hops on a regular chain-link fence? I think it was last november or december's issue - it was the one with the stouts and dark beers on the cover. The fellow basically said that everything he had read about "standard" hop growing (tall, string trellis, trimming the weaker shoots, etc.), he tried at first. Then, he decided to just use a std. 5 1/2' tall chain link fence, not trim the weaker shoots, no training, etc. There was a picture there of the editor's hop fence, as he said he did the same thing. The editor's fence was around 30' long, I believe. Both guys said there was little change in yield, and the greatest part was being able to tend them and harvest them from the ground. Seems much easier to me! I just wish they would have given some idea of the rhizome spacing.
Definitely gonna be growing some this year...just have to decide on my design. Now, especially after reading that article, I am thinking about just using a standard 5'-6' tall chain link fence (especially since my neighbor does fencing and said I could have a bunch of old stuff). I have a great location w/ tons of room and direct sunlight in an open field.
Things to decide:
I plan on doing 2 or 3 varieties (Cascade, East Kent Golding, and maybe Fuggles), each on their own separate section of fence. I really don't know how long to make each fence section? And then...how many rhizomes per section???
I am thinking about a 20' section for each variety, and maybe 2-3 rhizomes per 20' section....like one each end and one in the middle.
Any thoughts??? Maybe I could go shorter w/ each section....
Definitely gonna be growing some this year...just have to decide on my design. Now, especially after reading that article, I am thinking about just using a standard 5'-6' tall chain link fence (especially since my neighbor does fencing and said I could have a bunch of old stuff). I have a great location w/ tons of room and direct sunlight in an open field.
Things to decide:
I plan on doing 2 or 3 varieties (Cascade, East Kent Golding, and maybe Fuggles), each on their own separate section of fence. I really don't know how long to make each fence section? And then...how many rhizomes per section???
I am thinking about a 20' section for each variety, and maybe 2-3 rhizomes per 20' section....like one each end and one in the middle.
Any thoughts??? Maybe I could go shorter w/ each section....