Any Hops growers here?
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thør
Karhu-er
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They grow like weeds. Never did any brewing hops.
We bought a few acres here and hubby has a dream. He doesn't just dive into something without taking classes, seminars and whatnot. Smartest man I know, actually.
I think he's nuts....but I've thought that before and he's pulled the rabbit outta the hat for the last 35 years.
I just worry about him. He's 64 and it's hotter'n hell here in Texas.
I wasn't only asking for others' experiences....he's got tons of info to share with other's who are growing hops as well.
cheers!
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Karhu-er
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Farm work is hard work.
No shit! At our last home, I launched into a rather extensive landscaping project. I, on several occasions, asked him for help.
He would dab the sweat off my forehead, brush the dirt from my knees and butt and tell me...."I love you but I don't farm anymore". I had to do it all myself.
When he was a kid, his parents had a huge farm down in Wharton, Tx. Seems he hated being sent out into the fields.
We just retired (1 1/2 years ago) from the biz we've been in the last 35 years.
I still think he's nuts....but he's stuck on the hops and I know he will make it work. I'm just going to hire enough people to keep HIM out of the sun/heat and exhaustion.
Ishmael
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They aren't. I've heard of no successful farming south of Oregon. The area around Yakima WA. is famous for Hops growing.
Ishmael
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Karhu-er
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So, they'll prolly flop in Texas unless they are air conditioned.....
Ishmael
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Karhu-er
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I've got some solar AC to sell him....
Ishmael
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Karhu-er
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It's inefficient. There are some demo projects being tested, but why do I need AC in Alaska.
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Karhu-er
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I could just hand it to B.O. when he's in town next week.
Ishmael
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How ironic, Ishmael. Husband spent a week in Yakima just a week or so ago attending seminars and classes that would spin my head.
He met with, dined with and brushed elbows with some of the worlds best horticulture scientists and bio-chemists involved with hops breeding.
There were people there from all over the world for this week-long event. He said there were about 30 people attending from all over the world.
He's serious about this! Wish us luck!
Ishmael
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Magicscreen2
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I'd be surprised if hops grow well in most of TX. We grow a lot of hops here in USDA zone 5b-6a (they can't make up their mind).
Hops are easy to grow and tough to harvest -- though there is new automated equipment available that makes this much easier. However, unless you are a larger operation, or one of the co-ops where ag groups have shared equipment (some Ag schools also rotate this equipment through smaller operations), this is harvesting by hand.
I've a few Cascade and Glacier vines that supply plenty of fruit for our household brewing operation. Easy growing, great drinking and just generally good for the soul.
Hops are easy to grow and tough to harvest -- though there is new automated equipment available that makes this much easier. However, unless you are a larger operation, or one of the co-ops where ag groups have shared equipment (some Ag schools also rotate this equipment through smaller operations), this is harvesting by hand.
I've a few Cascade and Glacier vines that supply plenty of fruit for our household brewing operation. Easy growing, great drinking and just generally good for the soul.
I am of the same thought, to be honest, Ishmael. I will help him to a certain point.
We are only throwing a small wad into this venture. If it doesn't work, we're still doing fine.
I cross my fingers tho, as he has been working so hard on this. I love this man so very much.
It's not about the money to me...it's about seeing this venture work out for a man who's spent so much time and effort on it.
erosman
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I don't grow any, but numerous neighbors do. It's become a significant cash crop for a handful of farmers here in the West. They tell me that more would be grown if there were more workers to harvest.
I've seen a dramatic increase in hop growing acres in recent years. Too much capital investment for me, though. We are definitely NOT a moist climate. Annual precipitation amounts of less than 12". Rather complex drip irrigation systems to make it happen.
Oh erosman! I love your post on this! Gives me good feelings about this endeavor! Maybe my husband wasn't crazy after all!
Thank you for your input! Means a lot to me and puts me at ease!
We're in Austin, Tx, and this has to be the "homebrew" capital of the the world.
We're already the Music Capital of the World.
I love living here. Thank you for the info.
Oh, Magicscreen2! I somehow missed this post! Great info! thanks! I especially like the "great drinking and just generally good for the soul" part!
Hehehe!
You seem to be quite knowledgeable/experienced with Hops growing. I hope you don't mind if I occasionally seek you out with a question or two about it. I promise not to bug you tho!
Thanks for sharing!
Magicscreen2,
Oh! By the way, on the same token, my husband learned quite a bit during the seminars and classes he took, so if *you* have any questions for *him*, please don't hesitate to shoot them in this direction!
He'd be thrilled to even be asked and will do his best to answer them!
thanks!
Oh! By the way, on the same token, my husband learned quite a bit during the seminars and classes he took, so if *you* have any questions for *him*, please don't hesitate to shoot them in this direction!
He'd be thrilled to even be asked and will do his best to answer them!
thanks!
