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.
These stalks rob the plant of vigor. Otherwise, refrain from harvesting petioles the first year. The second year you can harvest a few stalks, but not more than 1/3 of the plant. The third year, however, you can harvest freely, so long as a few leafy stems remain in order to nourish the plant. To harvest, cut stalks off at the base of the plant, or twist and pull them until they become detached from the crown.