A few days ago I stumbled into an opportunity to obtain some mature hop plants and have a few questions for those of you who grow your own hops. These plants are decades old, growing up and covering an old homestead barn. They are extremely healthy and robust looking with lots of cones. I belive the cones will be ready for harvest in mid-September. I have not grown hops before, but was planning on starting next spring, so I have done some reading up on the subject. However, everything I can find relates to planting small rhizomes, not mature plants.
So, my main questions are:
1. When would be the best time to dig up and transplant these mature plants?
2. Are there any suggestions on the best way remove them, transport them, and replant them?
Thanks!!