Wow awesome! Thanks for the tips :) Yes it is hobby/personal level. Your reply is actually perfectly timed as yesterday @idyllwild and I just spent half a day clearing years of blackberry and rose growth, old trees, grass etc from around the hops to give them space. And what did we find growing under it all, but the first few sprouts starting to come up.. they sure do look like their ready for some vigorous growing. I'll have to try the first shoots as you mentioned! Regarding trimming back the first growth... is that so that they start branching earlier? Thanks for the tips :)