Hi chaps, I'm sure this has probably been discussed before so sorry if I'm redigging old ground!
Where is a good place to buy some hop plants / seeds? I've read they can grow extremely tall, if i was to chop them back to a manageable size of around 7ft (grown up a trellis on a fence) would they still produce the cones?
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Growing your own hops
Re: Growing your own hops
You could try a dwarf variety, such as first gold, which only grow to about 7 ft.
I've forgotten the name of the supplier I got mine from last year (although it didnt come up anyhow), but I know FatController on here was selling some hop plants last year
I've forgotten the name of the supplier I got mine from last year (although it didnt come up anyhow), but I know FatController on here was selling some hop plants last year
FV: -
Conditioning: AG34 Randy's Three Nipple Tripel 9.2%, AG39 APA for a mate's wedding
On bottle: AG32 Homegrown Northdown ESB, AG33 Homegrown Cascade Best
On tap: -
Garden: 2x cascade, 2x Farnham whitebine (mathon), 2x northdown, 1x first gold
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L2wis
Re: Growing your own hops
ah first gold would be a nice variety to have growing in the back garden! I know Adnams Broadside (bottled) uses this which is very nice beer.
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Shadowknight
- Piss Artist
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- Location: Plymouth, Devon.
Re: Growing your own hops
How much room would you need, do you know? Is it a crop that needs a lot of space to harvest enough hops for a single brew? Or would a small garden sustain a small scale home brewer?
Needs more Cowbell.
/.Re: Growing your own hops
Check this out....
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29096&start=15
You can do it with one largest pot per plant, and then some kind of construction (fence, house, trellis) for it to climb up
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29096&start=15
You can do it with one largest pot per plant, and then some kind of construction (fence, house, trellis) for it to climb up
FV: -
Conditioning: AG34 Randy's Three Nipple Tripel 9.2%, AG39 APA for a mate's wedding
On bottle: AG32 Homegrown Northdown ESB, AG33 Homegrown Cascade Best
On tap: -
Garden: 2x cascade, 2x Farnham whitebine (mathon), 2x northdown, 1x first gold
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L2wis
Re: Growing your own hops
ah great link! maybe I could grow them up and maybe over my shed!? I'll find somewhere for them!
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scuppeteer
- Under the Table
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:32 pm
- Location: Brenchley, Kent (Birthplace of Fuggles... or is it?)
Re: Growing your own hops
If you're stuck for room then a dwarf would do it, otherwise you'll end up with a nice bine and no hops! Most "standard" hops will grow to at least 16ft with the cones at the top. They will do well in a large pot (over 12" diameter) although if you can put them in the ground they prefer this.
If you can get hold of coconut string they will grow better rather than a trellis, as the trellis makes it more difficult to harvest. Depending on the variety one plant will probably be enough for only 2 or 3 brews come harvest time. You won't get much of a crop in the first year though.
You may think it's a lot of faffing for not a lot of reward, but the reward is brewing with hops you've grown yourself. Doesn't get much better!
... unless you can malt the barley as well 
If you can get hold of coconut string they will grow better rather than a trellis, as the trellis makes it more difficult to harvest. Depending on the variety one plant will probably be enough for only 2 or 3 brews come harvest time. You won't get much of a crop in the first year though.
You may think it's a lot of faffing for not a lot of reward, but the reward is brewing with hops you've grown yourself. Doesn't get much better!
... unless you can malt the barley as well Dave Berry
Can't be arsed to keep changing this bit, so, drinking some beer and wanting to brew many more!
Sir, you are drunk! Yes madam, and you are ugly, but in the morning I shall be sober! - WSC
Can't be arsed to keep changing this bit, so, drinking some beer and wanting to brew many more!
Sir, you are drunk! Yes madam, and you are ugly, but in the morning I shall be sober! - WSC
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L2wis
Re: Growing your own hops
it does sound good fun, i like useful plants (herbs, spices) so would quite like the addition of hops. sounds like dwarfs are what i need.
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irishmist
Re: Growing your own hops
It really has to be the dwarf hop varieties if you are short on height and space. They often yeild as much or more that their bigger cousins.
Golden Tassels and Prima Donna are the ones I grow. Golden Tassels look magnificent. Available from http://tomatoseedsuk.co.uk/dwarf-hop-shop.php
They come as young plants rather than a bare root and come on quickly. I/we had hops in the first year but they do so much better in the second. Dig in some comfrey leaves if you can get any or a bit of well rotted horse muck. At the end of the season cut back to ground level and watch what happens the next spring. The second year should see plenty of new bines growing. Pick the best 6 or 7 to train up wires or a trellis and bingo. Feed well throughout the season. Compost tea's brewed with Beneficial MicroOrganisms rocket life into plants. Keep it organic and taste the rewards in your fine brew!
Golden Tassels and Prima Donna are the ones I grow. Golden Tassels look magnificent. Available from http://tomatoseedsuk.co.uk/dwarf-hop-shop.php
They come as young plants rather than a bare root and come on quickly. I/we had hops in the first year but they do so much better in the second. Dig in some comfrey leaves if you can get any or a bit of well rotted horse muck. At the end of the season cut back to ground level and watch what happens the next spring. The second year should see plenty of new bines growing. Pick the best 6 or 7 to train up wires or a trellis and bingo. Feed well throughout the season. Compost tea's brewed with Beneficial MicroOrganisms rocket life into plants. Keep it organic and taste the rewards in your fine brew!