In an effort to use freshest ingredients possible, are growing my own hops worthwhile? Is it actually a manageable idea from my home?

Depends on where you live.

I live in Chester County Pennsylvania.

They might do very well up there. You need an area with plenty of direct sun and soil with good drainage.

Maybe someone here that has tried it will chime it.

http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2008/04/10/growing-hops-in-the-garden-how-to-grow-beer-hops/

a couple years old but that's part 1/4 on growing your own hops.

"Location for Growing Hops

Select an area with plenty of sun. Hops need at least 6-8 hours of sun a day, so the South facing side of your home or an exposed site is a good location. Hop vines (called bines) can grow to over 25 feet and weigh over 20 pounds, so vertical space for a trellis is important as well.

Hops prefer well-aerated soil that is rich in nutrients and has good drainage. If you are going to plant several varieties, keep them well separated in your garden. Hop roots will spread quickly and take over the garden unless you separate them and trim the roots each season."

Lots of people on here grow hops. It will take a couple of years before you get serious yields out of them. You might get a few ounces your first or second year but will soon get pounds.

25 feet? That is a big a** plant!

if you can handle the growth, it's a fun thing to do.

You need room, sunlight, and something to grow on. And they grow like weeds. I started with 3 plants and one has spread under and through my concrete slab patio, around one side, it's growing up my gutter downspout and now making a break across the electrical line.

It can get out of fricken control, easily.

So if you're in an apartment with a deck and planning to grow in a container- I wouldn't waste my time. If you're going to plant it next to anything- structure, other plants, etc... expect it to take over everything.

It's also good insurance against another hop crisis. Right now, hops are cheap enough, but if we get back to paying $5 an ounce, you'll be happy you grow your own. Make sure you get some Cascades your first year. Even if you've got poor soil or less than ideal conditions, Cascades will still grow and they're pretty widely available.

I have Cascade and Mt Hood growing. My trellis is about 13ft, the bines climb to the top and hang over...

They grow fantastic and also love plenty of water.

My Cascades are being used for dry hopping in the IPA I'm doing right not. I don't know if I saved any money but the cool factor is there for me.. Since my beer is so shitty, who cares.

I'll speak for myself here:

I grew columbus and cascade for the first time this year, and both plants grew to be about 14 ft. after we stopped them from going any higher. The columbus plant yielded 11 oz after drying, and the cascade is yet to be harvested. I live in denver, co. by the way.

The rizhomes costed me 5 bucks each, which is a steal, considering my 11 oz. of columbus alone would be $27.50. Pretty awesome, and its the first year. Just waiting to see how they taste/smell/bitter.

Master B, I definitely think it is worth it. You definitely get the freshest hops, and they are a blast to grow. Anything that can grow 6" in a day is pretty exciting in my book. If you are in PA, then you are probably all set longitude wise. I'm in Maine and have had success. If you're going to try it, here are my recommendations. Don't use gardeners twine, it isn't strong enough. Water deeply, regularly, but don't over do it. Design a trellis that is stronger than you think is necessary. The bines get heavy. They get really heavy if it rains, and then if it gets windy, a wimpy trellis will go down. Design some way to get them down to ground level for harvest. Trust me on this one, you don't want to do this from a ladder. If you have problems with bugs, such as japanese beetles, try neem oil. It has worked for me.
Good luck.

I don't know about anybody else, but I only use my homegrown for flavor and aroma additions. Not sure how to truly get calculations right without knowing the Alpha Acids. That said, they are a blast to grow. And my third years are really starting to have more volume and aroma. If you have a good structure and the room, I can't think of anything easier or more fun to grow.

Definetly keep them in the soil. I took 6 root cutting this spring and planted them all in planters. 3 10 gallon and 3 15 gallon. I also have 3 2 year cascades in 15 G containers. The cascades in containers are doing better than the new cutting however, I took one of the first years and put it in the garden outfront in early july. It has taken root and EXPLODED. There is easily 3-4 times the weight of hops on the first year, half season pot half season ground, than any of the ones in planters... Even the second years. Apparently these plants can grow tap roots up to 30 feet deep so they become rootbound quite easily. Have fun, I'm not sure if it is "economical" if you consider your time tending one plant, however, it's invisible time (water while sipping your morning coffe) and growing these plants is fun.

P.S. The 6 root cuttings are from an unknown root source. The plant is at least 35 years old and has a grapefruity, spicy aroma. Fairly bitter with LOTS of yellow inside. Original grower was Belgian I think.

49th parallel

Hey Master B I live in Chester County as well! I have 2 plants each of Mt Hood, Chinook, and Nugget growing in my garden. They are in their second year, for the first year, and half of this season I had them in containers and they did OK. But once I finally got them in the ground(about July of this year) and trained them up a string onto a pergola I built over my patio they have been doing much better. They did get attacked by lots of bugs about this time last year, so I have the neem oil at the ready, it definitely helps control the various pests that eat the leaves. I have noticed also that the Chinook plants seem the strongest, the nuggets second, but I have yet to get any cones on the Mt Hoods, i am thinking of taking out the mt hood and putting in a cascade or something for next year. So if you decide to plant don't go with Mt Hood. Also as others have said, I highly recommend building some type of structure for them to climb, and get them in the soil as opposed to a container, they will have alot more room to stretch their roots. Good luck, happy brewing!

Hopstar - thanks for the input. Where are you in Chester County? Do you get out toward the West Chester/Downingtown area much?

I am in Kimberton, its northern CC near phoenixville, but I was born and raised in the west chester area, so yea i do get to WC and Dtown from time to time, let me knoe if you ever want to trade some homebrews send me a pm.