Planting my own Hop Garden

[branlovesbeer]

Does anyone know where I can buy the necessary supplies to plant my own Hop Garden.

Also what the process is for planting... Preparing the soil, structures for the vines, etc.

I have read on the forums that most people don't use their own hops in their beer. Why not?

Thank guys

[corkybstewart]

First of all you have to wait until spring to plant your garden, and then it will take at least 2 seasons to harvest enough hops to really use.
Get The Homebrewer's Garden, it has all the info you'll need. freshops.com is the best place I know of to get the rhyzomes but as I said before its too late this year. They also sell the book.

As for using them in beer absolutely. The problem is knowing the exact AA values for your crop. This can make a big difference in bittering but not so much for aroma and flavor. For instance if you planted Fuggles and use the arbitrary value of 5 AA's, your hops may only have 4 AA's and your beer will end up too sweeet, or they may actually be closer to 6 and your beer will be more bitter than you expected. So most people just use them for late additions or dry hopping. Also it takes a bushel of fresh hops to have enough for a batch of beer.

[unkle bik]

You can start by preparing your soil, now.
Find a place where they won't interfere with any other garden plants. They send out huge runners when mature and can choke out anything else. (think grapevines) Find a spot that gets at least 6-8hours direct sun. Find a means to support the vines. Trellis or posting with wire attached. Dig at least a foot down where you want to plant. It should be in a well drined are. Mix compost or other organis material for good soil.
IN the spring, you should be ready.
good luck.