Planting Hemp Seed
The ideal planting season for hemp in South Dakota has been Early May when soil temperature has reached 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When planting hemp seed, it's best not to chase the moisture too deep or you'll risk crusting over. A half inch to 1 inch is plenty, but you will want some good seed to soil contact. Consider rolling your field after planting to help ensure an even emergence of your crop. We recommend using a grain drill because your rows will need to be fairly close for making its canopy. Between 6 to 15 inch wide rows are ideal for weed control. Either an air drill or mechanical drill will work on the sorghum sized setting. The only chemical approved for hemp in South Dakota is a pre-emerge called Sonalan. It helps to keep the weeds down while your crop establishes a canopy. There are two ways to grow industrial hemp. One is for the grain (Seeds) and the other is for fiber (Stalks).
Planting Hemp for Grain
When growing for grain, we have found that 30LBS of seed per acre is ideal for getting a more uniform field height. During your growing season, the recommended fertilizer rates are 120/30/20 NPK for grain types of hemp.
Planting Hemp for Fiber
When growing for fiber, we have found that 22LBS of seed per acre is ideal for getting a more uniform field height. During your growing season, the recommended fertilizer rates are 60/30/20 NPK for fiber types of hemp.