Author Topic: hop garden? (Read 2933 times)

thenovice · « **on:** April 22, 2013, 07:53:34 pm »

This year the local farm seems to have not bothered with its last remaining hop garden. The hops are sprouting now, but they havnt even been strung or dressed yet. Im tempted to ask if I could take it over for a season, but have very limited experience. Am I mad?

HesterF · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:02:56 pm »

No, it sounds fun! I've been looking into hops but worry we're too windy. I'd love to come and help you from time to time to learn how it works. You've got more experience than me if you know they have to be strung and dressed - sounds more like a turkey to me!

H

darkbrowneggs · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:47:39 pm »

And you can eat them

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Nr2Dna7hx1EC&pg=PA269&lpg=PA269&dq=cooking+hop+shoots&source=bl&ots=5u8HePWCeU&sig=wxKGk6bpz9DuvmGIXmPg4cw4T18&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Gb11Uc3hLInPOZG2gKAG&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

thenovice · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2013, 07:10:48 am »

It would be loads of work, and I would have to find somewhere local to dry them. I love the smell of drying hops, but sadly not very common now, even in kent. My mum, and her mum, and her mum before her used to pick over there, to get money for shoes or coats for the kids. Part of it is nostalgia I must admit

HesterF · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2013, 12:24:59 am »

If you have specific questions, Mike Barker at Essentially Hops was really helpful when I sent him a long list of random hop related questions. They've also got a farm shop over near Canterbury so you might be able to go over and have a look at what they produce from hops and have a subtle look round their farm (you never know, they might be more than happy to show you round at a quiet time - I imagine most local hop growers would be keen to keep the tradition going)!

H

thenovice · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2013, 10:10:26 am »

Thanks for the info, keep saying to the good lady we should go Canterbury again soon. One of my neighbours is one of the few local people who know how to string a hop garden. I will let you know what happens

Greenerlife · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2013, 10:15:22 am »

I spent one college holiday picking hops in Faversham. You had to wear the same clothes every day and then throw them out at the end because they stank and were completely green! It was quite automated when I did it, but still the hardest work (exept potato picking) I ever did in the fields.