I'm from Northeast PA and I was reading a lot about growing hops at home, and there wasn't a lot of money that had to be put into maintenance, but there is a lot of care that has to be taken. I have a few questions for anyone who is growing their own hops...First off can you even grow hops in PA? When is the growing season on the east? What do you do in the winter when it snows...only because our winters vary? These were just some of the questions I was faced with asking only because I'm just trying to read into before I try to do anything with them...If anyone has any suggestions or answers to the question all will be thankfully heard!
I said NE PA, when in reality I ment Philadelphia, I don't know if that makes much of a difference...but thanks!
I used to live in Reading. While I didn't grow hops there, I have grown them in n. Wisconsin, so I am pretty sure you would be able to pull it off in Philly, climate-wise. If you don't have a lot of space, you can grow them in containers as long as you can get them to grow up something (I strung them from containers to my porch roof). The catch with containers is they will never get very robust. At that scale, it's more of a novelty item than an economic decision. Don't underestimate the care it takes to dry them properly.
Some varieties...such as Cascade and Centennial...are relatively easy to grow in PA. Biggest headaches are powdery mildew...aphids...spider mites...and Japenese beetles...all of which can be controlled easily and inexpensively. The rhizomes start sending up shoots in late April in SEPA. The cones mature late August / early September. No special care is necessary; however...you can cover the crown with a few inches of mulch...such as grass clippings or leaves...if it makes you feel better.
Co Awesome I appreciate the feedback! What are some of the ways you can stop them from having those problems? Whats a good control for mildew, aphids, etc...?
'Triple-H' describes the majority of SEPA summers - hazy hot humid. Primo conditions for mildew and insects. Mildew control: fungicide spray such as Daconil®. Best to follow a 'preventative' schedule v waiting for the disease to appear. Once summer gets underway in mid-June...start spraying every seven to ten days...preferably within 24 hours of rainfall b/c rain spreads the mildew spores. Aphids...spider mites: Safer® insecticidal soap spray Apply when aphids begin to infest the underside of leaves and / or leaf lesions from spider mites appear. Jap beetles: control by hand-picking (hold a small container half-filled with water below the leaf...tapping the leaf causes them to drop into a watery grave) --- Just like any other garden plant...hops need food...water...and pest control. Don't expect to plant rhizomes in the spring...go away...then come back in the fall to a reap a full harvest.
Yeah I'm not planning to do this now, the season is already in session, I want to get all the knowledge about it b4 I plan on trying to grow them myself. Thanks for the help!
