Choosing according to your needs.

Hop plants are perennials. We cut them to the ground at fall and it grows back in the spring. Plants take 3 years to reach maturity and can leave for many decades.

• On the first year, there is no or very few production, plants reach 6 to 8 feet high;
• On the second year, the reach full height (more than 16 feet) and can produce up to 10 ounces of dried hops;
• Starting on the third year, plants are considered mature and can produce over one dryed pound yearly (around 600 beers).

So, with 2nd year and mature plants, you respectively save 1 and 2 years.