Author Topic: Growing my own hops this year. Experiences? I'll update this like a semi-blog. (Read 79712 times)

Severstad · « **Reply #300 on:** May 09, 2011, 02:44:16 PM »

Quote from: Severstad on September 13, 2010, 04:07:37 PM

Fresh wet hops being mailed tonight!

Destinations: Montana, Illinois, and Texas.

I love hop season!

Last fall, I enjoyed the homebrew from Smelly.

Never did get anything from Illinois or Texas.

You boys stop brewing all of a sudden?

thickfreakness · « **Reply #301 on:** May 09, 2011, 02:57:58 PM »

Quote from: Severstad on May 09, 2011, 02:44:16 PM

Quote from: Severstad on September 13, 2010, 04:07:37 PM
Fresh wet hops being mailed tonight!

Destinations: Montana, Illinois, and Texas.

I love hop season!

Last fall, I enjoyed the homebrew from Smelly.

Never did get anything from Illinois or Texas.

You boys stop brewing all of a sudden?

I brewed a beer with it, but dry hopped way too long and it tasted like grass. I'm brewing again soon and I'll send you something from that batch.

Severstad · « **Reply #302 on:** May 09, 2011, 04:16:54 PM »

Quote from: thickfreakness on May 09, 2011, 02:57:58 PM

Quote from: Severstad on May 09, 2011, 02:44:16 PM
Quote from: Severstad on September 13, 2010, 04:07:37 PM
Fresh wet hops being mailed tonight!

Destinations: Montana, Illinois, and Texas.

I love hop season!

Last fall, I enjoyed the homebrew from Smelly.

Never did get anything from Illinois or Texas.

You boys stop brewing all of a sudden?

I brewed a beer with it, but dry hopped way too long and it tasted like grass. I'm brewing again soon and I'll send you something from that batch.

Glad to hear my hops didn't ruin homebrewing for you.

Planted rhizomes at work today. Nice afternoon rain is now falling ... perfect timing to get 'em going.

urbanhack · « **Reply #303 on:** May 09, 2011, 04:53:21 PM »

Over the weekend I expanded my soil area by 30% so there is more room for growth. I also restrung the twine on the existing areas where I did it last year. Still need to add some additional strands of twine and add some more dirt/potting soil.

I'll see if I can get some pics tonight.

smellysell · « **Reply #304 on:** May 10, 2011, 02:43:13 AM »

Tilled up a garden for the wife for mothers day, and while I was at it tilled up a 3x30ish' stretch for a hop bed. Moved the Columbus and Centennial from the pots, and will be adding a couple Cascade rhizomes soon.

Jaysus · « **Reply #305 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:01:35 AM »

Quote from: Jaysus on April 19, 2011, 11:47:09 AM

ugh... I was kinda hoping that my hops had died. Nope, I got about 20 shoots right now. I guess I am going to have to take care of them or something.

Yeah, so things have really escalated quickly since April 19th. 3 vines have already reached the top of the lattice, and 3 more will by tomorrow. I have not even watered them once, and they are goring like magic beanstalks. I wonder how they would react to some minor maintenance?

d0ggnate · « **Reply #306 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:11:33 PM »

Quote from: Jaysus on May 11, 2011, 10:01:35 AM

Quote from: Jaysus on April 19, 2011, 11:47:09 AM
ugh... I was kinda hoping that my hops had died. Nope, I got about 20 shoots right now. I guess I am going to have to take care of them or something.

Yeah, so things have really escalated quickly since April 19th. 3 vines have already reached the top of the lattice, and 3 more will by tomorrow. I have not even watered them once, and they are goring like magic beanstalks. I wonder how they would react to some minor maintenance?

How many years old are these bines? I'm in the first year and while growth has been had, it isn't anything like this.

Jaysus · « **Reply #307 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:16:17 PM »

Those are 4th year Mt Hoods... but it is only the 2nd year they have been at my house.

Jaysus · « **Reply #308 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:26:58 AM »

seriously, WTH?

Severstad · « **Reply #309 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:38:34 AM »

Quote from: Jaysus on May 12, 2011, 10:26:58 AM

seriously, WTH?

You can practically stand there and watch hops grow. They are ... aggressive.

So, what's the plan now?

Jaysus · « **Reply #310 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:54:11 PM »

I am just going to let mother nature take her course...

Tip Top · « **Reply #311 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:23:05 PM »

Quote from: Jaysus on May 12, 2011, 10:26:58 AM

seriously, WTH?

WHAT THE H?

Jaysus · « **Reply #312 on:** June 03, 2011, 10:15:44 AM »

while not really visible in this photo, there are actual hops growing on my hops now.

urbanhack · « **Reply #313 on:** June 03, 2011, 02:55:48 PM »

JAYSUS

Severstad · « **Reply #314 on:** June 04, 2011, 10:20:42 PM »

Quote from: urbanhack on June 03, 2011, 02:55:48 PM

JAYSUS

I'm sure yours are looking mighty fine about now, Hack.

Mine are going ape.

Severstad · « **Reply #315 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:00:19 PM »

Update: hops at work have broken the surface!

I planted them about five weeks ago, and they're up already.

Tip Top · « **Reply #316 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:12:10 PM »

Quote from: Severstad on June 07, 2011, 02:00:19 PM

Update: hops at work have broken the surface!

I planted them about five weeks ago, and they're up already.

Just over 2 weeks in the ground, and mine have sprouted up too.

JJ · « **Reply #317 on:** June 07, 2011, 02:18:08 PM »

Quote from: Severstad on June 07, 2011, 02:00:19 PM

Update: hops at work have broken the surface!

I planted them about five weeks ago, and they're up already.

FU

smellysell · « **Reply #318 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:04:15 PM »

First signs of life from my Columbus the other day. Centennial isn't doing anything, above ground anyways.

Farmhousewench · « **Reply #319 on:** June 07, 2011, 11:55:38 PM »

I planted two zeus rhizomes on May 5th and they're both doing well. They're at about a foot tall, just reaching the bottom of the trellis now.

smellysell · « **Reply #320 on:** June 08, 2011, 12:41:12 AM »

Quote from: smellysell on June 07, 2011, 10:04:15 PM

First signs of life from my Columbus the other day. Centennial isn't doing anything, above ground anyways.

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 07, 2011, 11:55:38 PM

I planted two zeus rhizomes on May 5th and they're both doing well. They're at about a foot tall, just reaching the bottom of the trellis now.

Farmhousewench · « **Reply #321 on:** June 08, 2011, 12:18:00 PM »

Quote from: smellysell on June 08, 2011, 12:41:12 AM

Quote from: smellysell on June 07, 2011, 10:04:15 PM
First signs of life from my Columbus the other day. Centennial isn't doing anything, above ground anyways.

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 07, 2011, 11:55:38 PM
I planted two zeus rhizomes on May 5th and they're both doing well. They're at about a foot tall, just reaching the bottom of the trellis now.

I forgot those are the same.

smellysell · « **Reply #322 on:** June 08, 2011, 08:38:59 PM »

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 08, 2011, 12:18:00 PM

Quote from: smellysell on June 08, 2011, 12:41:12 AM
Quote from: smellysell on June 07, 2011, 10:04:15 PM
First signs of life from my Columbus the other day. Centennial isn't doing anything, above ground anyways.

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 07, 2011, 11:55:38 PM
I planted two zeus rhizomes on May 5th and they're both doing well. They're at about a foot tall, just reaching the bottom of the trellis now.

I forgot those are the same.

Anybody growing some Tomahawk?

Homerbag · « **Reply #323 on:** June 14, 2011, 02:55:43 PM »

Here is some pics of my hop garden. Hoping the weather warms up again to get them growing faster.

Tip Top · « **Reply #324 on:** June 14, 2011, 03:48:53 PM »

Quote from: smellysell on June 08, 2011, 08:38:59 PM

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 08, 2011, 12:18:00 PM
Quote from: smellysell on June 08, 2011, 12:41:12 AM
Quote from: smellysell on June 07, 2011, 10:04:15 PM
First signs of life from my Columbus the other day. Centennial isn't doing anything, above ground anyways.

Quote from: Farmhousewench on June 07, 2011, 11:55:38 PM
I planted two zeus rhizomes on May 5th and they're both doing well. They're at about a foot tall, just reaching the bottom of the trellis now.

I forgot those are the same.

Anybody growing some Tomahawk?

Couldn't find any. I ended up just planting Chinook and Nugget.

smellysell · « **Reply #325 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:24:02 PM »

Quote from: Homerbag on June 14, 2011, 02:55:43 PM

Here is some pics of my hop garden. Hoping the weather warms up again to get them growing faster.

I really like your trellis set up. I think I might do something similar.

d0ggnate · « **Reply #326 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:59:32 PM »

Quote from: smellysell on June 14, 2011, 11:24:02 PM

Quote from: Homerbag on June 14, 2011, 02:55:43 PM
Here is some pics of my hop garden. Hoping the weather warms up again to get them growing faster.

I really like your trellis set up. I think I might do something similar.

I was thinking the same thing. How long have you had those posts in the ground? Any signs of them rotting?

Homerbag · « **Reply #327 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:26:10 PM »

Quote from: d0ggnate on June 15, 2011, 04:59:32 PM

Quote from: smellysell on June 14, 2011, 11:24:02 PM
Quote from: Homerbag on June 14, 2011, 02:55:43 PM
Here is some pics of my hop garden. Hoping the weather warms up again to get them growing faster.

I really like your trellis set up. I think I might do something similar.

I was thinking the same thing. How long have you had those posts in the ground? Any signs of them rotting?

I put them in last year and I have yet to treat them. . one of those things I will get around too. . .No signs of any rot or weather damage and we went though a very brutal winter around here.

The only thing I am going to change for next year is to use a steel cable instead of the clothsline going between the posts.

Jaysus · « **Reply #328 on:** June 22, 2011, 10:03:49 AM »

I still have not watered these at all...

fRed Scare · « **Reply #329 on:** June 22, 2011, 10:16:41 AM »

My two shoots are only 2/3 of the way up a four-foot piece of lattice. Very shady side of the house.

d0ggnate · « **Reply #330 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:03:54 PM »

How do you know when it's time to harvest?

urbanhack · « **Reply #331 on:** June 30, 2011, 05:04:41 PM »

had to put up some extra twine last night. might even have to do a few more.

thickfreakness · « **Reply #332 on:** June 30, 2011, 05:54:13 PM »

Can we have GT Thursday night pre-preparty at HackDeck^TM?

Severstad · « **Reply #333 on:** July 11, 2011, 02:39:50 PM »

Quote from: thickfreakness on June 30, 2011, 05:54:13 PM

Can we have GT Thursday night pre-preparty at HackDeck^TM?

emerge · « **Reply #334 on:** July 11, 2011, 05:22:28 PM »

Quote from: thickfreakness on June 30, 2011, 05:54:13 PM

Can we have GT Thursday night pre-preparty at HackDeck^TM?

urbanhack · « **Reply #335 on:** July 11, 2011, 10:45:14 PM »

d0ggnate · « **Reply #336 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:53:12 PM »

Quote from: d0ggnate on June 28, 2011, 11:03:54 PM

How do you know when it's time to harvest?

I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and harvest this weekend. The hops are looking ready (light green, green/yellow) and are papery to the touch. Planning on weighing the harvest and brewing a fresh hop IPA/APA Saturday morning.

d0ggnate · « **Reply #337 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:14:16 PM »

Quote from: d0ggnate on July 18, 2011, 01:53:12 PM

Quote from: d0ggnate on June 28, 2011, 11:03:54 PM
How do you know when it's time to harvest?

I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and harvest this weekend. The hops are looking ready (light green, green/yellow) and are papery to the touch. Planning on weighing the harvest and brewing a fresh hop IPA/APA Saturday morning.

Harvested last Friday, brewed last Saturday. Only yielded about half a gallon ziploc of Cascade.

Severstad · « **Reply #338 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:09:15 PM »

Here, tiny buds are just starting to form.

It'll be a while before they flower and form hop cones.

smellysell · « **Reply #339 on:** July 30, 2011, 10:25:46 AM »

Quote from: d0ggnate on July 28, 2011, 10:14:16 PM

Quote from: d0ggnate on July 18, 2011, 01:53:12 PM
Quote from: d0ggnate on June 28, 2011, 11:03:54 PM
How do you know when it's time to harvest?

I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and harvest this weekend. The hops are looking ready (light green, green/yellow) and are papery to the touch. Planning on weighing the harvest and brewing a fresh hop IPA/APA Saturday morning.

[IMG]http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3484/photoetm.jpg[/img

Harvested last Friday, brewed last Saturday. Only yielded about half a gallon ziploc of Cascade.

Those are beautiful!

Phish · « **Reply #340 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:35:52 PM »

It's getting to be that time of year again. What's everybody's plans?

Jaysus · « **Reply #341 on:** February 14, 2012, 03:06:26 PM »

I am pretty much hoping that mine don't come back this year

coldchill · « **Reply #342 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:41:56 PM »

Anyone have some rhizome cuttings they'd like to send me? My cascade are coming up but I don't think my willamette survived my late summer negligence.

coldchill · « **Reply #343 on:** April 03, 2012, 07:29:57 PM »

Quote from: coldchill on March 19, 2012, 01:41:56 PM

Anyone have some rhizome cuttings they'd like to send me? My cascade are coming up but I don't think my willamette survived my late summer negligence.

Please disregard, the willamette are coming up and the cascade are going to take over the back yard.

Jaysus · « **Reply #344 on:** April 20, 2012, 07:40:57 PM »

You should have seen how wild it looked before I thinned the herd (most of which was intentional

)

Jaysus · « **Reply #345 on:** May 14, 2012, 04:09:38 PM »

Die already assholes:

fRed Scare · « **Reply #346 on:** May 16, 2012, 04:09:01 PM »

I'd suggest salting the earth, but I don't know if that would help you at all.

skinnyguy · « **Reply #347 on:** May 17, 2012, 01:05:22 PM »

Quote from: Jaysus on April 20, 2012, 07:40:57 PM

You should have seen how wild it looked before I thinned the herd (most of which was intentional )

What did you do to thin them?

Digging the roots up is the only way I've heard for getting rid of them. And that's only sometimes effective.

Jaysus · « **Reply #348 on:** May 17, 2012, 03:20:25 PM »

I just cut back the weaklings

skinnyguy · « **Reply #349 on:** May 17, 2012, 04:56:41 PM »

Quote from: Jaysus on May 17, 2012, 03:20:25 PM

I just cut back the weaklings

Ah. Cutting those back encourages growth on the other bines (it's often recommended to trim them back to the biggest three when they're about one or two feet tall to increase production).

We know people on a farm with a ton of hops. Last year they dug up as many hop roots as they could, but they still have some growth. I dropped a few in the ground under one of my fences last year. I'll try and post a picture of those.