Quick Overview: Is CBD Hemp Right for Your Farm?
CBD hemp can be profitable, but success depends on strong planning, tight compliance, and meticulous execution. Here’s a snapshot to help you assess fit.
- Markets: Pre-sell flower/biomass or secure a processing contract before planting.
- Compliance: U.S. hemp must test ≤0.3% total THC (dry weight); timing and sampling are regulated.
- Labor: Expect intensive scouting, pruning, and harvest labor for floral hemp.
- Capital: Budget for irrigation, fertility, drying space, and testing.
Farm Setup and Legal Basics
Before you touch soil, finalize your farm setup and compliance plan. Requirements vary by state. Always consult your state department of agriculture and an attorney for current rules.
- Obtain hemp grower license and registration; keep maps and GPS coordinates updated.
- Plan pre-harvest THC testing (often within 30 days of harvest) through approved or DEA-registered labs.
- Secure a buyer with a written contract, payment terms, and quality specs (moisture, cannabinoid profile, contamination limits).
- Insurance: consider crop, product liability, and property coverage for drying/curing facilities.
- Keep chain-of-custody, seed labels, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and farm logs.
Hemp Farming Guide: Cultivar Selection and Genetics
Genetics dictate your CBD potential, THC compliance, plant structure, and disease tolerance. Choose cultivars with a proven track record in your climate.
- Compliance first: Demand recent COAs showing total THC and CBD under the growing conditions similar to yours.
- Feminized seeds vs. clones: Clones provide uniformity and predictability but can cost more. Feminized seeds are cheaper per plant but may include a small percentage of males/herms—plan to rogue them.
- Photoperiod vs. autoflower: Photoperiod plants flower as days shorten (late summer). Autoflowers mature in 70–90 days regardless of day length—useful for short seasons, but lower yields per plant.
- Structure: For floral CBD, select bushy types with heavy lateral branching and dense trichome coverage.
Cultivation Basics: Site, Soil, and Bed Preparation
Hemp thrives in well-drained, loamy soils with pH 6.0–7.5. Avoid fields prone to standing water or compaction.
- Soil test: Conduct a full panel (pH, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg, micronutrients) months ahead. Amend based on lab recommendations.
- Drainage: Raised beds or rip lines can mitigate waterlogging risks.
- Weed suppression: Plastic mulch, landscape fabric, or organic mulches reduce competition and save labor.
- Rotation: Rotate away from other broadleaf crops with shared pests/diseases; consider small grains or cover crops for soil health.
Planting Density and Season Planning
Plant timing and spacing drive yield and cannabinoid outcomes.
- Transplant vs. direct seed: Transplants (clones or seedlings) provide uniform stands and earlier canopy closure for CBD hemp.
- Spacing: 4–6 ft between rows and 3–5 ft in-row for floral hemp (≈1,500–3,500 plants/acre). Wider spacing encourages branching and airflow.
- Timing: Transplant after last frost when soils consistently reach 55–60°F. For photoperiod cultivars, plant early enough to allow 6–8 weeks of vegetative growth before flowering triggers.
- Frost and heat: Protect young plants from late cold snaps; provide windbreaks in exposed sites.
Nutrition and Irrigation
Feed based on soil tests and crop stage. Over-fertilization—especially nitrogen—can push THC upward and invite disease.
- General ranges (verify locally): 100–150 lb/acre N, 40–80 lb/acre P2O5, 80–120 lb/acre K2O split across vegetative and early flowering via pre-plant and fertigation.
- Micros matter: Boron, zinc, and sulfur influence growth; apply only if tests show need.
- Irrigation: Drip systems are preferred for efficiency and disease control. Seasonal water needs often run 20–30 inches; monitor soil moisture and evapotranspiration.
- Fertigation: Spoon-feed nutrients weekly; taper nitrogen as flowering advances to manage THC risk.
Hemp Crop Management: Weed, Pest, and Disease Control (IPM)
Effective hemp crop management hinges on prevention, scouting, and timely action. Use an integrated pest management (IPM) approach.
Weeds
- Mulch or fabric plus timely hand hoeing can keep rows clean with minimal herbicide use.
- Pre-plant stale seedbed techniques reduce early pressure.
Insects and Mites
- Common pests: Hemp russet mite, aphids, corn earworm, caterpillars, and leafhoppers.
- Tactics: Sticky cards, weekly scouting, threshold-based use of allowed products (e.g., Bt for caterpillars, certain oils/soaps). Encourage beneficials with habitat strips.
Diseases
- Risks: Botrytis (gray mold), powdery mildew, Fusarium, and root rots.
- Prevention: Wider spacing, pruning for airflow, drip irrigation, morning schedules, and sanitation. Use labeled biofungicides where allowed.
Always confirm product labels for hemp in your state. Some pesticides are restricted or prohibited on hemp.
Flowering, Testing, and Harvest Timing
As days shorten, CBD rises—and so can THC. Regular testing avoids non-compliance.
- Scouting: Track trichome development and flower density weekly from early bloom.
- Sampling: Use in-house rapid tests or send to a lab ahead of the official pre-harvest test.
- Harvest window: Many cultivars peak CBD around 3–6 weeks into flower. Cut before THC approaches 0.3% total THC.
- Method: Hand-cut for premium flower; machine swathers or buckers for biomass. Minimize bruising and contamination.
Post-Harvest: Drying, Curing, and Storage
Post-harvest is where quality is won or lost. Protect cannabinoids, terpenes, and color with controlled conditions.
- Drying targets: 60–70°F, 55–60% RH, steady airflow, darkness. Aim for 10–12% moisture.
- Hanging vs. rack: Hang whole plants or large branches for flower; use food-safe racks for biomass.
- Bucking and trimming: Buck after stems snap; trim for smokable flower. Avoid overhandling.
- Curing: 1–2 weeks in sealed containers, burped daily, to stabilize moisture and improve aroma.
- Storage: Food-grade bins or mylar, <60°F, low light and humidity. Test for microbial safety if selling for inhalation.
Real-Life Experience: A 5-Acre Success Story
In 2022, a New York grower converted 5 acres from hay to CBD hemp. They secured a processor contract upfront, used raised beds with drip, and planted 2,000 feminized transplants/acre.
- What worked: Weekly scouting caught early russet mites; a labeled oil program plus predatory mites prevented yield loss. Pre-harvest in-house tests informed an earlier harvest to stay compliant.
- Pitfalls avoided: They expanded drying space mid-season using temporary dehumidifiers after a humid spell threatened Botrytis.
- Outcome: Averaged ~1,600 lb/acre of dry biomass at 9.8% CBD; all lots passed microbial and heavy metal tests.
Budget and ROI Snapshot
Costs vary widely by region and scale, but here’s a conservative per-acre example for floral CBD hemp.
- Transplants/clones: $1.00–$2.50 each × 2,000 plants = $2,000–$5,000
- Mulch/fabric, drip, fertigation: $1,000–$2,000
- Nutrients and amendments: $400–$900
- Labor (planting, pruning, harvest): $2,000–$4,000
- Drying/curing supplies and energy: $1,000–$3,000
- Testing, licensing, insurance: $400–$1,200
Revenue depends on market and quality (flower vs. biomass). Pre-selling is the safest path.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Planting without a signed purchase agreement.
- Over-fertilizing nitrogen and triggering high THC.
- Poor airflow and dense canopies causing Botrytis.
- Insufficient drying space and dehumidification capacity.
- Skipping frequent THC checks before the official test.
Hemp Farming Guide: Step-by-Step for Your First 90 Days
- Weeks 0–2: Finalize licensing, buyer contract, and genetics; order drip/mulch; soil test and amendments.
- Weeks 3–4: Prepare beds, install irrigation, and harden transplants.
- Weeks 5–6: Transplant after frost; water in; install windbreaks if needed.
- Weeks 7–10: Scout twice weekly; fertigate light, balanced feeds; rogue any males/herms.
- Weeks 11–12: Prune for airflow; deploy beneficials if pest pressure rises; keep weeds down.
- Weeks 13–14: Transition to early bloom; reduce N; start in-house cannabinoid checks.
- Weeks 15–18: Pre-harvest official test; schedule harvest and drying; line up transport and labor.
Conclusion
This hemp farming guide shows that premium CBD hemp comes from disciplined planning, tested genetics, precise nutrition, and vigilant IPM—followed by careful drying and curing. Start small, document everything, and let data guide your decisions.
FAQs
How many CBD hemp plants should I grow per acre?
For floral production, 1,500–3,500 plants/acre is common. Wider spacing improves airflow and branch development. Match density to cultivar vigor and your harvest method.
How do I keep hemp under 0.3% total THC?
Choose compliant genetics, avoid heavy late nitrogen, and test frequently during bloom. Harvest before THC rises—often 3–6 weeks into flowering, depending on cultivar and climate.
What irrigation is best for CBD hemp?
Drip irrigation with fertigation provides efficient water and nutrient delivery while keeping foliage dry, reducing disease risk. Adjust scheduling based on soil moisture and ET.
Can I grow hemp organically?
Yes. Use OMRI-listed inputs, organic mulches, composts, and biocontrols. Verify that any pest control products are labeled for hemp in your state.
How should I dry hemp to preserve quality?
Dry at 60–70°F and 55–60% RH with steady airflow and darkness. Aim for 10–12% moisture, then cure 1–2 weeks before long-term storage.