Growing hops in a basket?

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Spring seems to have sprung in Roundwood and I'm thinking about planting some hops. Just found out that they're poisonous to dogs though so if I do plant any they'll have to be out of reach of my mutts. Was thinking about getting one of those baskets that attaches to the wall (kinda like a hanging basket) and trailing them up from there.

So is it possible to grow them in baskets?

Do they need a lot of soil or if I got a big enough basket would that suffice?

Any good books on the subject?

Thanks

[Taf]

Hops really do like to be growing direct in the ground, so wouldn't recommend growing them in a basket, unless you really have no other choice. I've heard the thing about them being poisonous to dogs, but mine has never shown any interest in them, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've never actually heard of anyone's dogs getting poisoned by hops, and I float about on a lot of forums.

[Will_D]

A lot of things are poisonous in Nature. Luckily most animals have evolved knowing what to leave alone!

[Qs]

Spring seems to have sprung in Roundwood

What? Surely its been snowing up there lately?

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Yup - spring sprung and then sprang right out again... At least the lake isn't frozen over anymore

Might give them a go in the ground so.

Anyone bought them from here? http://www.thesecretgardener.com/5723/general/hop-plants/
Would many garden centres have them or are they too specialised?

[Shane Phelan]

Just found out that they're poisonous to dogs though so if I do plant any they'll have to be out of reach of my mutts.

Dogs have zero interest in hops. My family have 3 dogs down in Laois and they will eat anything or so i thought. I held hop cones, from my hop plants growing at ground level,  in their face to see would they even take them out of my hand, they actually recoiled in disgust from them. These guys normally eat their own puke, sheep poop, duck poop, raw mushrooms etc..

[Taf]

Just found out that they're poisonous to dogs though so if I do plant any they'll have to be out of reach of my mutts.

Dogs have zero interest in hops. My family have 3 dogs down in Laois and they will eat anything or so i thought. I held hop cones, from my hop plants growing at ground level,  in their face to see would they even take them out of my hand, they actually recoiled in disgust from them. These guys normally eat their own puke, sheep poop, duck poop, raw mushrooms etc..

Ha ha, yes my dog seems to love phlegm and human piss, but no interest in hops, or even beer.

[Ciaran]

My understanding is that it's more the malt than the hops e.g. if you have hops from the end of the boil still saturated in sweet wort then that will attract them to it, or if you have a boilover and spill some hop material and don't mop it up quickly.

[Damien M]

A lot of things are poisonous in Nature. Luckily most animals have evolved knowing what to leave alone!

Indeed! Except Us Humans!!!

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Great. I was thinking alright that they don't show any interest in anything else in the garden. Unless a fox/goat/sheep/badger/horse/cow/elephant/unicorn managed to get in and shite everywhere - then it's wallow time! (and swallow time). filthy feckers...

Anyone get their hops in The Secret Garden place in Cork? www.thesecretgardener.com. Seems to be the only place I can find hops for sale in Ireland

[johnrm]

I think there was a homebrew store in Waterford that did hop rhizomes.

[johnrm]

Correction, Stradbally.
Homebrewguru.ie - seems to have disappeared.

[Taf]

Great. I was thinking alright that they don't show any interest in anything else in the garden. Unless a fox/goat/sheep/badger/horse/cow/elephant/unicorn managed to get in and shite everywhere - then it's wallow time! (and swallow time). filthy feckers...

Anyone get their hops in The Secret Garden place in Cork? www.thesecretgardener.com. Seems to be the only place I can find hops for sale in Ireland

I've bought saplings from there, and was decent stock that all grew well, so probably worth a punt on the hops.

[Taf]

Just looked at the price, and they are a touch extortionate. Where are you based, as you should be able to get a few rhizomes if anyone is growing some locally.

[Will_D]

In about a months time peoples will be splitting up rhizomes. Watch the threads.

Also after about 3  or 4 months there will be rooted cuttings available - watch the threads!

If you are really desparate then I would recommend Eicklman hops:

http://www.eickelmann.de/Hopfen-Shop/hop-products/

A few of us have bought from them - top class!