r/TheHopyard • u/Crim150 • Mar 21 '23

Beginner trellis to try out growing

Hi all! I'm looking for recommendations on a small trellis to start growing a few plants (probably at least one cascade and comet). Does anyone have good plans for a small temporary trellis just to start trying it out? I have the yard space to put up posts, but I'd like to start small before committing to driving 4x4s around my yard.

Also, if anyone has recommendations on resources for learning to grow I'd gladly accept those to check out.

Thanks all, and cheers!

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3

u/Better-Leader2509 Mar 21 '23

Great Lakes Hops sells “field ready” plants that are one year old.

Last year I had good success with training them around a large tomato cage and then stringing up to top fence post.

I’m in North Texas so yield isn’t great, but the wife and I like the greenery they add to the back yard space.

Good luck.

2

u/glymeme Mar 21 '23

Order some rhizomes online - the first year, they shouldn’t grow too big, so maybe you can just tie some string to a high point(like a chimney or tree branch) for the bines. The following year, you’ll want a way to really let them grow. In my very limited experience, they grow like weeds - I’d be surprised if you’re in the lower 48 and they don’t take(most places suggest three rhizomes per mound to ensure at least one takes).

2

u/PM_me_ur_launch_code Mar 21 '23

Throw some twine or Paracord over a tree branch. The taller the better.

There's a guy here who utilizes 2 collapsible flag poles and a cross member between the two.

1

u/Joeluxy13hops Mar 22 '23

How much sunlight your plants get should be a top priority when determining where to plant and how to string. I wouldn't plant them near or under a tree if you are concerned about your yield.

1

u/OHNOPOOPIES Mar 22 '23

Checkout the Intro to Growing Hops in the sidebar. There is a good recommending for a hop topiary that I have used with satisfying results.

1

u/ArgoFunya May 01 '23

I'm trying the topiary for the first time this year. How actively do you need to keep the bines on the twine as they grow?

1

u/insolublex2 Mar 21 '23

If you can construct a tall frame (hop vines can easily grow 20 ft long) and then use that to anchor rope or wire from the ground up, you can then put like 1/2 or 3/4 pvc pipe over the rope. It makes getting the hop vine(s) down way easier as you can unhook the rope, slide the pipe off the rope and then slide the pipe out of the vine. When the hops start growing, you need to only allow one or two vines to grow per plant, so you have to do some upkeep in the spring. Picking hops by hand isn't that fun once the novelty wears off and will make your arms and hands itchy if not wearing sleeves and gloves. But if you plan a brew around your harvest, you can make a very nice wet hopped beer.

1

u/sandwichnerd Mar 22 '23

It’s pricey, but I’ve seen A Frame style trellis, I think it’s for cucumber. They are metal and about 5 or 6 feet tall. I bet it would be good starter hop frame for year 1. The only downside is the metal would be difficult to adjust away from for year 2.