How do you grow hops?

Answer 1

The harder question is how do you NOT grow hops.

I grew them for a couple of years for home brew and they are a nice strong vigorous vine that will do quite well on its own without any interference from you mister thank you very much.

Seriously, plant them in decent soil in full sun, give them a place to climb, and stand back. I grew mine on a 6 foot chain link fence and they did fine. Watered them as they looked liek they needed it. Very easy! Really!

In commercial applications, they use these monstorous tall rack things that let the hops grow 20 feet or more in the air, and then they lower them down for harvest. So do give them some space- if they are happy they will grow quickly and take up a whole fence.

HTH.

Answer 2

For home growers, the most important parts of a mature plant are the vines and the cones . The cone is the part of the plant that adds flavor and bitterness to beer, as well as to tea. It’s also used in herbal remedies and sleep aids, and there’s even the traditional use of hops in a dream pillow: Place some dried hops along with other pleasant smelling herbs in a sachet and hang it near where your head rests while sleeping. The vine of the hops plant can be used in making wreaths, and you can cook and eat the trimmed shoots left over after selecting the strongest looking vines in the spring as you would asparagus. By growing hops at home you create that extra element of enjoyment and satisfaction knowing that you have grown a key ingredient in the beer making process. Most hop flowers or machined pelleted hops that you buy either online or at your local store have traveled thousands of miles prior to you purchasing them.

Answer 3

Or how do you not, once they are started. I would find a nursery selling them or look on line. They are very vigorous. My daughter gave me some of the yellow green ones and they grew all over the shed and it was amazing. I kept them in a pot and then moved it elsewhere fearing that they would never be gone. They didn't come back from the old roots. You don't say where you are, but check out if they grow in your area. I don't know about harvesting them and making beer, but they grow in sun and are fun to watch.