mikebiewer wrote:Moloko520 wrote:Hi Mike. I'm new to this forum. Actually, this is my first post. I bought some hops rhizomes this year with the intention of getting a farm going.
Most of my rhizomes have budded, and I'm coming up with a plan to go to our land and start a hops farm.
I'm starting with only five plants, this year. If they survive the climate, environment, insects etc. of Southern Illinois, I'm going to go all out and plant maybe 2 full acres.
My problem is that I live 4 hours away from where the actual farm will be. So my question is: How much will I need to be out there, checking the hops, trimming back the first year's shoots, cleaning out weeds? My goal is to go out maybe once a month to check on them. What do you think?
To be completely frank, I am not sure. You have a few factors to keep in mind. The main thing I think that attributes to weeds is the land your using. Was it grass land before or was it already a garden? If its all ready a garden the weeds situation should be fine for a once a month thing. As for cutting them back, I'm again not 100% sure. They will spring up really quickly and catch ya off guard. You may want to make an extra trip out to check on them.
I'm helping my friend with his farm. Hoping to learn a lot along the way, so I can keep ya posted if you like as to how things are going. I really need to get out there again this weekend or something. Its been a while.
In the mean time, here is a book that is on my personal list of literature to read on this subject. Maybe it will help you. If so, let me know!
The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Hops, Malts, and Brewing Herbs: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply (Back-To-Basics)
I just thought I'd add to this a little...
I'm in a similar situation, living about 2 hours from my hops, so I only get there once or twice a month. I'm in my 3rd year now, and here's what I've learned...
If it was a well weeded farm before, then weeds won't be a huge problem once a month, but will still be a problem. With just 5 plants, you won't have to spend too much time weeding, but you'll still need to do it. If it wasn't a farm plot before, or is too close to some untamed growth, then I pray for your plants!
In year two, the biggest problem you're going to have isn't weeds, it's cutting new growth from the hops. Once the root system is well established, they'll be putting up shoots like crazy. I've been to my farm twice this season. I have about 25 plants (down from the original 30, lost 2 in year two, and all 3 Zeus seem to be a casualty this year) and on the first visit the majority of the time was spent weeding, then we strung lines. I culled about 40 shoots then. Two weeks ago I made my second visit. The weeding took only about 30 minutes, but the shoot culling took 2 hours. I cut well over 200 shoots!
If you don't limit the amount of bines, you're just not going to get enough hops.
Of course ample water in the long stretches of dry summer can be a problem as well. If you're in a low rainfall area, or there's a serious drought, you might be in trouble.
Finally, come harvest time, the biggest problem is that not all of the hops will be ready at the same time. I have to slot myself 2 or even 3 weekends in a month in the fall to go out and do harvesting. If you're only going once a month for the growing season, plan on going twice for harvesting, even if you've only got 2 plants.
I've lost bines due to line breaks, but they grew back. Early in the season I've got a mystery little black bug that likes to dine on the new, soft leaves, but they are gone after a month, and fortunately no other insects are interested in them. No hop-loving molds, and pretty rich soil, so not much to do. Despite our feeble efforts to take care of them, remember that they're really weeds, and they want to live. Just a little care can get you some good rewards.
