In today’s podcast we cover 4 reasons to grow hops. Click here to listen online

Here’s a great book if you want to get into growing hops.
The Hop Grower’s Handbook: The Essential Guide for Sustainable, Small-Scale Production for Home and Market

1. They provide excellent shade at the hottest time of the year. Once established, hops grow around 25′ a year with broad leaves and thick heavy vines. This is an ideal plant for an area that are in need of shade!

2. Hops are a great forage for animals. Our goats rabbits and chickens love to eat the leaves. The fruit has been studied for its effects as alternatives to antibiotics in feedlot cattle diets, impacts on rumen metabolism, animal performance and health.

3. Hops have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Hops have tonic, nervine, diuretic and anodyne properties. Probably the most common use of hops medicinally is for a calming and sleep inducing action. It is not uncommon on The Prepared Homestead to see an infusion from chamomile, lemon balm, mint and hops. Here’s a great book to start with for medicnial herbs:
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use

4. Hops are widely used in beer and cider brewing as a stabilizing and flavoring agent. Hops are mainly used to provide bitterness and aroma to beer.

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Sean & Mon