Hop growing for 2007

[delboy]

Got an email from beer essentials this morning their hop plants are ready. They have two types first gold and one called diva (never heard of them has anyone).
Don't forget these are only £2.50 a plant plus P&P (at cost price . ).

[mysterio]

I've already got a Fuggle, EKG & Challenger but I've emailed about a First Gold.

[bitter_dave]

Never heard of Diva either DB

He's an excellent chap at Beer Essentials. I doubt he's making very much on selling the hop plants, but I guess he does it because he's a bit of an enthusiast for things-beer-related. I'm definately going to buy some of his beer when I'm next in horsham (which, to be honest, isn't much of a sacrifice on my part )

[RabMaxwell]

Hello all i am planning on planting some hops soon but want to put them somewhere easy to pick. I was thinking of training them up then along above my first floor windows of my house. Was thinking of using wires attached to the wall with hooks or strong wire mesh. As i work offshore & not always home i wouldn't always be there to train the bines along wires. I would imagine it would train itself along mesh unaided. But would mesh wire damage the bines & would you need a space between the hops & the wall for air to circulate. Any ideas of the best approach anyone. Cheers

[RabMaxwell]

(i'd go for strong horizontal wires, heavy duty galvanized or plastic coated), if you put turn buckle fixtures in you can keep them taught).

Cheers DaaB

[itmustbemagic]

See my post about the Hops I bought at the weekend from beer essentials

[SteveD]

I just planted out mine. One each of Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. The Fuggles are in the middle of a 30' bare run of 6' south facing fence, the Goldings are against the opposite fence on the north side. I'll let those climb right to the top where they'll get the sun. I dug deep wide holes and filled with a rich compost/soil/sand mixture, and in they went. Covered over with moss to protect against frost.

[delboy]

Sent another email to Beer essetials about the 'diva' hops. Its better known as golden Tassels which is more of an ornamental plant apparently but the hops are still good. Im going to get three of the first gold and one of the golden tassels for the hell of it (probably plant that one where its ornamental properties we be more appreciated, over a shed or something).

[Chiltern Brewer]

I just planted out mine. One each of Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. The Fuggles are in the middle of a 30' bare run of 6' south facing fence, the Goldings are against the opposite fence on the north side. I'll let those climb right to the top where they'll get the sun. I dug deep wide holes and filled with a rich compost/soil/sand mixture, and in they went. Covered over with moss to protect against frost.

Sounds spot on. If you've got any fence space free you might consider growing a tayberry/loganberry/blackberry. They freeze well and are good for jam, pies and wine making (or fruit beers).

[delboy]

Got my hops today 3 FG and 1 GT.
Going to dig them in tomorow with some sand/soil/compost and spent grains from my last haus ale (they have to putrid by know been sitting in a bin bag out the back for about a week.

[Andy]

(they have to putrid by know been sitting in a bin bag out the back for about a week.

The absolutely honk after a few days don't they! Watch out for the gag reflex when you disturb them

[delboy]

yeah they stunk like a dead dog in a skip after a day or so i shudder to think what they will be like now.

[bitter_dave]

I was going to buy a couple of sacks of manure yesterday for my hops, but I couldn't get them in the car - I bet that'd create quite a gag-reflex Perhaps I'll just poo in the pots instead

[bitter_dave]

Cheers DaaB

[oblivious]

Would First Gold be more suited to back garden, since they are a dwarf variety?