The hemp farming industry took off to the next level with the legalization of hemp CBD products in 2018. The US Farm Bill that removed hemp CBD from the list of controlled drug substances and regarded it as an agricultural product opened the door to a CBD market of unending possibilities.
Hemp is a traditional crop that is cultivated for its seeds and industrially important fiber. Hemp seeds are nutritious food supplements. Different from the older times, hemp is now being cultivated primarily for extracting CBD.
Here is a guide to cultivating hemp.
Growing Conditions
Except for the extreme desert soils and mountainous regions, hemp can survive in any environment but the warm weather areas with soils rich in humus content is ideal for hemp farming. It is better to avoid lands with excessively wet climates because soils in heavy rainfall areas will be saturated.
While choosing plots for setting up hemp farms make sure that the soil has appreciable fertility and low weed pressure.
Sowing Hemp Seeds
Before sowing the hemp seeds, till the soil well and prepare a shallow bed to achieve uniform seeding depths. Rather than planting the seeds in pots to transplant them later into the soil, you may use the approach of sowing the seed directly on the soil.
Sow the seeds after the final frost when the temperature of the soil is not less than 50 to ensure the quicker germination of the seeds. A distance close to 4 inches has to be kept between adjacent seeds and the seeding depths should be around 1/2 to 3/4 inches.
Taking Care Of Hemp Crops
Ensure that the crops are sufficiently irrigated especially in the initial six-week period. Hemp crops are sensitive to dryness in the initial period although hemp is generally a drought-resistant crop. Federal regulations exist to control the production, sale, and use of pesticides and fertilizers. Review the list of federally permitted fertilizers and pesticides to use them wisely in the hemp farm.
Harvesting Hemp
The harvesting season of hemp varies according to the purpose it is grown for. The typical harvest period is around October or when the plant is about 16 weeks old, which is when the flowers ripen with full of seeds.
The source of hemp plays a crucial role in deciding the quality of the hemp CBD product and hence the best cultivation practices should be employed for growing hemp.