There are many uses for the plant, such as textiles, paper, animal feed, and much more.It is a plant you can grow on your own.You can harvest the seeds and fibers after caring for them through the summer.Check your local laws to see if it is legal to grow hemp in your area.
Step 1: You can plant the seeds in late spring.
Wait until the last frost to plant seeds.To find out if the temperature is over 50 F, you can use a soil thermometer.If the temperature is consistent for a few days, you can plant your seeds.You can check the estimate for your last frost date here.When the outdoor temperature is between 60 and 80 F (16– 27C), the plant grows best.
Step 2: The field with the well-aerated soil has a pH between 6-7.5.
The soil's pH can be checked with a probe or paper test strips.To aerate the soil, break it up with a hoe.Poorly-drained soil could cause damage to your plants.To test the drainage, dig a hole and fill it with water.Time how long it takes for the water to completely drain and if it is more than an hour.It is easier to find a place with good soil conditions than it is to amend it.
Step 3: The seeds should be 4 inches deep.
To cover your seeds with soil, use a seed drill attached to a lawnmower or tractor.The machine will do the work for you if you put the seeds in the hopper.Birds and pests will not be able to get to the seeds if they are buried at the correct depth.If you want to grow hemp for fibers, keep the seeds close to each other.If you want to harvest seeds, spread them further apart.The plants are encouraged to grow shorter.You should clean the machine after you use it.If you want to buy or rent a seed drill, ask your local farm machinery store.
Step 4: Water your plant throughout the growing season.
If you stick your finger down to the first knuckle, you'll be able to see the soil's moistness.If the soil feels dry and it doesn't rain, water the plant until it is at least 2.5 inches deep.Within the first 6 weeks of growth, water is the most important.It is possible to survive without water for a few days after that.If you are growing a large crop of hemp, you should use an irrigation system.
Step 5: The nitrogen-richfertilizer should be spread over your crops.
If there is a warm, dry day, apply thefertilizer once after the seeds have been sown.Instead of directly on the plants, put thefertilizer between the rows.Immediately after you apply thefertilizer, water yourhemp so it absorbs into the soil.
Step 6: You can spray a weed killer on your plant.
If you want to prevent weeds from growing in your garden, you should use a garden sprayer filled with pre-emergent herbicide.While your plants are still growing, this helps protect them.There are no officially registered pesticides or herbicides that can be used on the plant in the United States.
Step 7: As seeds start to develop, collect the stalks with a sickle.
Cut the stalks as close to the ground as possible.If you have a small crop, use a handheld sickle to slice the stalks.Buying or renting a sickle-bar attachment for a tractor is a good option for larger crops.There are farm care stores that sell curved blades.
Step 8: For 5 weeks, leave the stalks in the field.
The outer shell can rot if the stalks are put on top of each other.The bonds that hold the stems together will be separated during this time.The process can take up to 5 weeks.The stalks can rot if they are let to rot.
Step 9: The stalks need to be dry in a dry area.
Stand the stalks up and separate them.You can use a meter to figure out how much water is left in the stems.The stems must be below 15% to harvest the fibers.You can buy the meters from your local store.
Step 10: There is a way to separate the fibers.
A decorticator is a machine that can break off the exterior pieces of a plant.Feed 1-2 stalks of hemp at a time through the rollers after the machine is turned on.You can collect the fibers from the other side of the machine.If you want to purchase or rent dedicators, ask your local farm machinery store.
Step 11: After 16 weeks, you can harvest the seeds.
If the flowers are hard to touch, look at the seedpods.At this point, most of the leaves are gone.Hold the top of the stalks and cut below the lowest seed Pod.In the United States, harvest usually takes place in October.The leaves should be left in the soil for compost next year.
Step 12: The seeds need to beThreshed onto a tarp.
If you want the tarp to lay flat on the ground, lay it in aventilated area.Hold the stems in your non-dominant hand and hit them with a baseball bat or stick to break the seeds off over the tarp.All the seeds need to be gathered in the center of the tarp.If you are working with a large crop, use an industrial machine thresher.
Step 13: To remove any leftover seeds, winnow them.
Transfer the seeds to a bucket.Put the bucket over the empty one and pour the seeds into it.The stem will blow away when you do this.To clean them, pour the seeds back and forth.If there isn't a breeze, point a fan at the buckets.If you are working with a large crop, use an industrial winnower.
Step 14: The seeds should be kept in an area between 32 and 40 F.
The seeds should be kept in a large container.The seeds should be kept in a large fridge or cool area.They may burst and get sick.You can keep seeds in a sack if they have a low moisture level.