The indicator in question is the US Treasury yield curve, a measure of the gap between short- and long-term interest rates. When it is steep â meaning it costs more to borrow money for the long term â that's a good sign investors expect a quickly growing economy. A flattening one suggests a slowing one.
After your hop vine flowers you will begin to see hop cones forming. We know you will be super excited to pick them, smush them, smell them, brew with them, love them, etc.. Resist the urge because the hops will not be ready for harvesting till late August or September.
Based on several growing seasons in Michigan, hops should be trained by June 1. Baby hops should not be pruned. Training involves wrapping three-four bines in a clockwise direction around each string to encourage growth. The timing of training (and pruning) is critical for obtaining maximum hop yields.