When to dry hop?

[Moonladymae]

I am brewing a Sierra Nevada clone and the recipe calls for a dry hop, but it did not specify when to dry hop. This is only my second brew ever and my favorite kind of beer I don't want to really mess this one up. Also, I have it fermenting in a carboy which seems it will make it kind of hard to add the hops, that is if I put them in a mesh bag, can I just throw the hops straight in there with out the bag? Suggestions and ideas much appreciated, thanks!

 

[IrregularPulse]

Dry hopping is done after fermentation is over. Pellet hops can be a mess just tossing them in, but whole leaf are easy enough to rack off of without using a hop bag.

 

[Hang Glider]

Yup. Just toss 'em into the fermenter after fermentation is done (usually for several days, even a week or two). FYI, the whole hops will retain some of your beer, you may lose a half gallon...(thirsty varmints!)