Field Selection

Hemp is tolerant of light spring frosts, and a hard fall frost will assist maturity by killing green leaf tissue that remains as the seeds mature. Volunteer hemp will be one of the first early weeds to grow in the spring.

Hemp performs well on a range of soil types, but is intolerant of poor drainage, and wet conditions. Saturated soils will quickly cause stunting, yellowing, and death of plants. It has been found that delayed seeding until the ground temperature is above 8 degrees Celsius will help ensure a good stand of hemp. Warm soils promote quick emergence which in turn has a huge effect on the competitiveness of the crop for weed control.

Seeding depth

Plant hemp shallow. Hemp in the early part of establishment is not particularly hardy or vigorous. Seeding depth should be as shallow as possible but into moisture - i.e., 1/2 - 1 inch. Deeper seeding can result in delayed and reduced emergence, and a non-competitive stand. Stands have been lost by deep seeding and or combined with cold soils.

Certified seed is required under Health Canada guidelines. Bin run seed is not a legal option.

Seeding Date

It is suggested hemp be seeded when soil temperatures (day and night) average 8 degrees C or higher. Research trials, and producer experience has shown that hemp sown as late as mid June has still provided reasonable grain yields. Earlier seeding is not advantageous because soil conditions will be too cool for good performance. Hemp cultivars are day length sensitive so seeding date has little effect on flowering date and maturity. Flowering date will tend to take place about the same calendar date each year. Late seeding does reduce the plant height somewhat.

Seeding Equipment:

Hemp can be seeded using conventional seeding equipment - i.e. air seeders/drills, disk-press drills, hoe-press drills. Good shallow seed depth control is important. For most soil types, hemp will benefit from press wheels or packing after seeding to ensure good soil to seed contact. Shallow is best.

Ensure the air delivery system is using the least amount of air to deliver the seed with out plugging. This will help reduce seed cracking especially on the manifolds in the delivery system.