by Brian Smyth


Please note that the cutoff time for pre ordering rhizomes was 03/20/03.


Homebrew Adventures will soon be adding a selection of hop rhizomes to its shopping cart. Around the first of April we expect to have in stock the following hop rhizomes:

Each rhizome will cost just $4.50. We intend to place one order with a hop farm in mid-March, and will sell them only as supplies last. If you are interested in ordering one or more, please email Ale and let us know. We'll be sure to add your order, and we will email you as soon as they arrive (you'll then have to place an order in the shopping cart to initiate shipping).

So what's a rhizome? Rhizome is a five dollar word for root. Hop rhizomes are roots that can be planted anywhere in the continental U.S. and grown into a hop vine. It is recommended that you plant them in an area of your yard that is exposed to continous sunlight for at least half a day. Best results are usually achieved if you plant them first in a pot indoors. Simply plant the rhizome upright with the buds facing up (the buds on hop rhizomes look similar to the eyes on a potato). Make sure to cover the whole rhizome with soil. Water regularly once a day, keeping the soil moist, but avoid overwatering, or else the rhizome will rot. Growth should be noticeable in about a week. Once the shoot reaches six inches in height, you will need to provide a climbing support, such as a pole or a wire. It is at this point that it should be transferred to an outside patch of yard, but be sure your last frost is long gone.

Hop vines are perennials. They take well to garden fertilizers once or twice a season. They will grow to 25 feet in length in a single season, but will die down to the crown when autumn comes. A fully grown hop vine will produce for you about 2 pounds of hops a year. If you average 3 ounces of hops per 5-gallon batch, that's enough homegrown hops to last you about 10 batches.