Hop growing for 2007

[delboy]

Good work Delboy

One of the good things about about hops from this source, which I forgot to mention, is that they come in plant form - so all you need to do is plant them, not deal with the root.

I'd go with First Gold personally; I've never heard of Golden Tassels as a brewing hop

Yeah i think i'll get some of the first golds (was really impressed by badgers first gold ale when i had it at the weekend). The golden tassel plants seem to be used more for decorative purposes.

I'll be very keen to hear which varities Beltos contact has (can see myself trying a few) and for what price.

[Maltloaf]

I got a few plants from Essentially Hops last month so I'm finally having a go at my own hop garden too.
What they sent were practically plants already - a lump of rhizome with about three long fat roots each (about 15 inches from memory). They'd started shooting too! Not bad for 6.95 (plus a tenner P&P).

Of course, putting them in the ground triggered two weeks of hard frosts.


Let's see how "hardy" they are....

ML.

[maxashton]

You've all got high hops then?

[Hoppkins]

I just ordered a fuggles hopp from Essentiallyhops.

Can't wait ^_^

[mysterio]

I am in contact with a grower near Ipswich. he grows all of the English range of hops approx 19 varities and will supply to home brewers
I am waiting for costs at the moment and will post ASAP

Any news Belto?

[Belto]

Hi all
unfortunately I do not have any more information despite my request for prices last week.
I will contact him again

[Hoppkins]

Got my hops today! nice weird package with a load of moss and some roots

What does piss me off is the fact they charge 10 quid for postage and it quite clearly says 2 quid on the package. I figured when i ordered 10 quid postage would be for a courier but infact they use royal fail.

I have emailed asking what the other 7.80 is for....i hate to be a stick in the mud but paying 10 pounds for a jiffy bag and regular small packet post seems unfair when i got a package delivered airmail from USA for 3 quid.

[Belto]

This may be of interest or a starter for more links

http://www.hops.co.uk/sectionthree/Growing.htm

[delboy]

Got my hops today! nice weird package with a load of moss and some roots

What does piss me off is the fact they charge 10 quid for postage and it quite clearly says 2 quid on the package. I figured when i ordered 10 quid postage would be for a courier but infact they use royal fail.

I have emailed asking what the other 7.80 is for....i hate to be a stick in the mud but paying 10 pounds for a jiffy bag and regular small packet post seems unfair when i got a package delivered airmail from USA for 3 quid.

You kind of expect something like that from an ebayer but not a company! I would be a bit miffed also i wonder will they ignore you or try and justify it.

[mysterio]

What does piss me off is the fact they charge 10 quid for postage and it quite clearly says 2 quid on the package. I figured when i ordered 10 quid postage would be for a courier but infact they use royal fail.

I just checked on the website and it's a whopping £15 for delivery to Scotland!

[Hoppkins]

Thank you for your email ( and telephone message - so sorry I wasn't
available to speak to you)- yes, I completely appreciate your comments as it
is a little unfair and I am happy to credit you £5 off the delivery costs.

We have a simple online ordering system that can't cope with the many
different sizes and products we sell - we mostly use a courrier which
charges a rate depending on the size of the parcel and makes it very hard
for us to simply charge or even include the costs of delivery within our
product costs. So we take a broad brush approach on delivery charges - we
win some and we loose some, but overall we cover our costs and make no
profit of the delivery charges. It does however mean smaller, lighter items
get penalised - the hop plants I prefer to use the royal mail if I can, as
they get delivered wihth your normal post and there usually is not a problem
delivering if noone is in (our courrier needs a signature and as it is a
living plant I try prefer not to use the courrier as they don't always leave
parcels) However, getting to the post office involves time and cost as we
are in a rural location - whatever we send costs a minimum of £5 when you
add mileage and time.

I do hope you understand and accept my apology and explanation. I am so
pleased you are happy with our product and I hope this hasn't put you off
ordering from us again in the future
sincere apologies - have a great day

[delboy]

I take my hat off to them, seems a very reasonable response (i thought they would just ignore you). I wonder if i ordered some hops would they knock the same £5 off the delivery charge??

[Hoppkins]

If you order just 1 plant mention it and ask them. i sympathise that they live in a rural area and it costs money to take things to the post office and stuff. But 10 quid is just stupid money for P&P.

[SteveD]

Just ordered 1 each of Fuggles and EKGoldings from Essentially Hops. I've got LOTS of bare 6' fence to cover

What made my mind up was the sheer hop freshness of some ale I tried last night made with the brewer's own grown fuggles. Very different from the foil packs.

[Andy]

My last brew used hops from a mates garden. Will try and bring a bottle along next Tues Steve. Hopefully my hop plant will yield a load of cones this yr

Edit: 6' eh, fuggles and goldings will eat that up no worries - they grow to 5 metres plus You'll have to talk to them gently and persuade them to grow horizontally.