The third step to growing hemp for CBD in Wisconsin is the planting process. The majority of growers plant sometime throughout early June and late July. A major factor to consider when scheduling a planting date in Wisconsin’s unpredictable climate is the risk of frost. Frost can kill off entire grow operations when plants are extra vulnerable in their earlier growing phases, so it’s a safe bet to get your seeds/clones in the ground a couple days later rather than earlier.
As with any plants, hemp will grow larger and stronger with the more room you space between each plant. The general rule of thumb is to plant seeds/seedlings somewhere between 3-6 feet apart from one another, with each about 0.5” deep in the soil. The closer your plants are to each other, the more plants you’ll have per acre. For example, one acre will grow a rough estimate of 1600-1800 plants when seeds are placed 5 feet apart. Since the hemp industry is so new, there isn’t much equipment made to automate the planting process quite yet. Equipment made for crops such as corn, soybean, etc., can be modified to an extent, but planting by hand is the most reliable method for smaller grows (for now).
Wisconsin wildlife has shown an interest in hemp, so fencing your fields is a solid option to protect your green ladies. Another addition to think about for planting is irrigation. Although our summers in Wisconsin are usually steady when it comes to rain, there have been droughts in the past. Also, it’s not a bad idea to place a tarp over your crop asides from where you place the seeds/seedlings. This will save you countless hours of weeding and assure that your plants have little competition for the soil’s nutrients. Thanks for reading! Be on the lookout soon for Step 4 to Growing Hemp for CBD in Wisconsin; Growing.