[hayles62]

I would like to grow some hops but have no idea at all about the subject so would love some input. Yep it's mainly for the beer

[John]

Thash our Hayles....
........ sheshs great sheshs is
We luv you Hayles (hic)

Don't know anything about growing hops, but where there's a booze thread, I'm in

[DD.]

There's plenty of wild hops growing in the hedgerows around here. Have you explored that possibility before you give over some of your valuable land to grow what mother nature may have one your doorstep?

[hayles62]

Luvsha toooo John    To be honest Dave wouldn't know a Hop if it bit me bum so will have to look at some pics and see when they're about but I love growing something different now and then and now I got a Lotty I spose my imagination has gone into overdrive

[adekun]

Just cut a section about two feet long from an existing vine and stick it in the ground. You will need to dry the cones to preserve the oils. Best to keep them sealed and chilled thereafter.
Not sure about from seed?
There's plenty of microbreweries around that might be doing the same.
Perhaps Brendan at Iceni might be worth a try?

[DD.]

This is from a South African web site, but is one of the better piccies I could find. Gives you a good idea of what you're looking for.

http://www.museums.org.za/bio/images/enb6/enb06291x.jpg

[muntjac]

we have them growing wild around here a chap in black street vilage grows them from his hedge row and up a series of bamboo cane structures for home brewing he manages to get a decent crop i reckon as they are always full of the little cones

[Celtic Eagle]

Hayles

The wild ones will work fine but are a bit big as in very tall, I understand ther e are dwarf varieties that grow to about 7 foot. It's a great idea ever thought of growing sloes and all the other berries as well.

BTW the rowanberry wine is clearing fine now.

[DD.]

. It's a great idea ever thought of growing sloes and all the other berries as well.

Why would you want to grow sloes, when they are plentiful, ready grown & free in hedgerows? They'd take upa lot of space for a small yield as well.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hayles, hops are pale green looking rather like an overblown brussel!!!! lol

Remember going hop picking when I was 5, but spent more time playing in the mud than actually picking the lower growing hops.  Couldn't reach very high at the time!!!!

[hayles62]

There is something beautiful about having grown your own even if it's a token little bush in the corner so I know what you mean Celtic Eagle and when it comes to making the wine there is a definate affection for the ones you grew the ingreadients for. There are hedgerows a plenty here Dave and I'll always go picking because there is something beautiful about nature providing also and the effortlessness (Is that a word? It is now) way it all appears.
Hey Ann I forget what it's like to be short I've been 5 ft 10 since I was 11.

[Gwiz]

a few years ago i dug up a small root of hops and put it in the garden. twas easier putting it in than digging it out a couple of years later when i couldn`t open the patio doors any more because of the triffid it had become.
quite nice beer tho`

[wellingtons]

... but with no luck at all, they succumb to rust quite easily in a dry summer ... so guess who tried em last summer ... yes you've guessed it!

Be interested to see how you get on.

[Celtic Eagle]

Hiya Dave

They don't grow wild in the hedgerows round our way never seen a one . Wish they did then I wouldn't have to grow then as part of my hedge. Didn't realise they were low yielding still i have got 75 foot of hedge to play with