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Growing hops in containers

SleepySamSlim

Grandmaster Brewer
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Dec 10, 2008
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North of Kalifornia
With the cost of hops showing no signs of reducing in cost - I decided to grow six varieties that I use frequently. After reading an article in BYO about container gardening - I ordered the rhizomes and started planning. The rhizomes arrived late March and I planted them in used 1 gallon planting containers using a quality potting mix. I'm growing: Willamette, Goldings, Mt Hood, Cascades, Perle, Tettnager. 

We have the average sized lot in the burbs, but I decided containers would give me the most flexibility. From growing Cascades in the ground the past couple of years - we know hops are a hardy and aggressive plant (both in vines and roots). I wanted a fairly large container but cheap as well. I ended up spending $2.15 each for the 5gal buckets sold at our HomeDepot building store. Orange but cheap. Then using cheap cedar fence boards - 2x2's - and 1x2's I built some very rough boxes to go over the buckets. But the covers are also the anchor point for a 1x2 sticking up 12ft. A length of jute runs from an eye bolt on top of the mast to a hole drilled in the bucket. Total cost of each box + mast is about $10 and come winter they can be stored as the masts are bolted on.

I figure every 2 years I'll have to re-pot the hops as they will be getting root-bound. That will be an opportunity to harvest a good number of rhizomes to give to friends - sell - or trade. Attached are a few pics
 

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Well Done!

That saves more money for Beer Supplies!

Cheers
Preston
 
Keep us posted.  I am looking at growing hops in containers to supplement my in ground hop plants.  Just wondering how big of a container you need to produce a decent hop cone harvest.  I imagine it would take regular feedings to maintain the high growth rate.  Also wondering if you need to harvest hop rhizomes each year to make room for the root stock / crown?
 
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