Hemp Growing and Farming To-Do List: Month 2
Jul
Hemp Farmer To Do List: Month 2
This month’s list may be shorter than last month’s, but is by no means easier. You may think the hard work is all done once you’ve gone through the work of:
- prepping your hemp farm
- planning your field
- getting a hemp irrigation set up
- establishing a pest and weed management plan
- purchasing seeds
- germinating
- plus all the technical and business legwork that had to be done
At this point, you might be hoping you have a chance to sit back and just let the plants do their thing until harvest time. Well, sorry to break it to you, but this is a vital time for your crop and losing focus now will cost you when that harvest date comes around. So, with all that said, let’s get into what you need to do to make your second month successful for you and your growing crop.
- Watering
If you followed our first Farmer To Do guide, then you should have already decided and implemented some kind of irrigation system. This is a prime month for plant growth for nearly all crops, so this is when that irrigation system is at its most important. Regular, adequate watering is key to more than just keeping your plants alive. If you want them to grow to their full potential, and produce the highest quality harvest, make sure your watering plan is adequate, and that you are consistent with it.
- Keep It Clean
Tools, shoes, hands, everything needs to be cleaned, and cleaned regularly. Plants can be susceptible to all kinds of pathogens and invaders we don’t even think about or notice. Any person or tool used in or around your plants needs to be properly clean and sanitized before exposure to prevent any unintentional infection or infestation.
- Pest Management
Hopefully our pitch for an integrated pest management system (IPM) sold you on the idea, because this is when you’re going the be very glad you have one. While your plants are growing, they are also becoming bigger targets for pests. By now you should have identified the predatory pests you want to bring in to your farm and start releasing them. This is also when routine checks should begin. Examine your plants for pest damage and infestation regularly to identify what pests you are dealing with early to make sure you have a plan to combat them as fast as possible.
- Weed Management
Just like pests, you need to be constantly vigilant of invading weeds. Again, while we do suggest using plastic mulch to help reduce the chances of weeds appearing, there’s no way to completely guarantee a weed-free farm. While you’re checking for pests, make it a habit to also make sure the only thing you’re growing in your farm is what you actually want.
- Check For Males
Another unfortunate reality is that it is impossible to achieve 100% feminization even from the most reliable and trusted sources. That’s just a truth of nature. So, to add another item to be checking for when doing your rounds, is any signs of male hemp plants among your crop. If you need help identifying a male from female in real time, reach out to us on social.
- Prepare For Testing
With harvest fast approaching, you’re going to need to know how and where to test your plants for their CBD and THC levels. It is recommended that you test your plants well before, and regularly, before harvest to track their levels before final harvest. That way you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when harvest finally comes if you’re intending on harvesting for extraction purposes. There are many labs you can find online you can utilize for testing purposes, as well as some universities. Check what is available in your area and what their procedures and costs are.
- Show Us What You’re Growing
Remember to enter for a chance to win prizes all summer long by sharing photos with us via email hello@blueforestfarms.com or on our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @blueforestfarms. This is your chance to show off how all of your hard work is paying off!
