Any one ever try dry hopping with fresh picked hops. i just picked a ton of cascades and thought of throwing a handful of cascades in a keg of a pale ale.

Although I have not done that I see no reason why you couldn't. It would be just like buying whole hops at the store.

Also to quote John Palmer's Book "How to Brew" "Infections from hops just don't happen" If an infection is your only fear that probably won't happen from adding hops.

but perhaps wait for somebody more experienced to give their two cents before going ahead with it.

from what i hear adding fresh hops adds a very grassy character to your beer

I did a little research and found that you need to make sure they are ready to be harvested and mature, immature hops are what will add that grassy character.

This guy talks about how to harvest hops: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVxuVzDz_L0

Also in determining AA% of homegrown hops I came across this although I don't know how accurate it is, but unless you're willing to pay $30 for lab testing this could be useful.

"I got schooled in this method from a hop grower close to me. From the days when they used leather lederhosen to test wort!

Do the measurements accurately:

Take one ounce of your hops.

Boil two cups of water for 15 minutes with 1 scant Tbsp of sugar (utilization).
Add your hops and boil for 10 minutes.

Strain the hops and take your tea to dilute

1/4 of a cup of water to 1/4 cup of tea= one %.
So dump the first mixture retaining 1/4 cup and then add 1/4 cup water
Continue with dilute 1/4 cup of your tea until the bitterness is not distiguishable by taste.

Now if you have diluted 6 times and only have the slightest barely there bitterness-- you think about 6.1 or 6.3 %

It is a rough estimate: 5% to 6% for example, but it means you can brew with some idea of AA and you get to taste the hop tea too to get a flavor profile"

That is incredible information thank you BC

I'm dry hopping with wet cascades right now. I'll let you know how it comes out, but it will probably be too late for your batch. I say go for it though.

I plan on trying the wet hop thing this weekend for the first time...nugget, cascade, and centennial