How to Grow Quality Hemp for CBD Oil Production

Thanks to its recent legalization, hemp growing has become a thriving industry. And now, thanks to the input of the government in regulating its growers, you can be even more confident that the quality of this incredible natural resource will be nothing but excellent. But have you ever considered how hemp grows or what is involved in the hemp growing process to create quality CBD products?

In this post, we will shed some light on the modern methods used to cultivate hemp, help you understand what yields the highest quality product, and talk you through just how much goes into creating a premium hemp product of the highest potency, much of which happens even before the cannabinoid has been extracted.

What’s the best climate for growing hemp?

The best climates for growing hemp are warm and stable climates where the soil temperature remains above 50 degrees appear. However, like everything, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Hemp growers who operate in slightly colder conditions will always make sure not to plant until the full frosts of winter have passed, while some growers have overcome the odds in extreme desert conditions or mountain areas to produce high-quality hemp crops. In each of these cases, the variety of seeds used will determine the success of the crop.

What are the best conditions and landscapes for growing hemp?

As with the climate, the success of hemp growth will be derived in large part from the type of hemp being used and how they respond to the environment. In standard mass markets, hemp for CBD products typically comes from abroad. While we aren’t against that, we do like to support our American growers who tend to be located in areas where there is enough acreage to benefit from volume.

Unlike cannabis, hemp seeds can be planted outside and extremely close to each other. A hemp field will ideally resemble a corn or wheat field in terms of the way it is planted and its density.

Which states are best for growing hemp in the U.S.?

Most hemp farms in the U.S. tend to be no smaller than 50 acres. Because of this, growers can benefit from the profitability associated with scale. The current hemp growing hemp hot spots in the United States are Colorado, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, Minnesota, North Dakota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Nevada. Each location offers its own market benefits. For example, Colorado leads the charge in hemp production. But long-term it is anticipated that the hemp grown there will be used for research more than CBD products, thanks to the organizations populated in this area.

There are also new and emerging hemp markets in Arkansas, California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington state and Wisconsin.

From seed to harvest

The hemp plant tends to grow best where the soil is alkaline (ideally reading being 7-7.5pH). During their first 6 weeks, hemp requires individual irrigation when the soil becomes dry but overall, hemp is pretty drought-resistant. When it comes to its harvest however, things are slightly more complex.

For medical or food-related CBD products, hemp harvesting is done best by hand and before flower heads are fully mature. More often than not, the THC levels exceed 0.3% and need to be destroyed. Harvesting by hand is essential for keeping the flower heads clean and intact to prevent trichomes from being dislodged.

Equally as important as the harvest is the drying of the hemp which must be done quickly and cleanly to minimize damage and maximize quality. Any hemp that is too wet or dried too slowly in a poorly ventilated space can spoil it, leading to financial and environmental loss.

Farming hemp to CBD production

After it is dried to perfection, hemp can be stored in a well-ventilated and clean environment before being ground up or trimmed. (We will talk more about the extraction techniques later in our blog series). At this stage of the process, it is vital that each batch must be properly labeled to prevent contamination and ensure quality and origin.

When it comes to choosing our CBD product vendors, we are focused on selecting those who understand the importance of good agricultural practices from their hemp growers, and great CBD manufacturing and distribution practices by their processors. Because of this, we can be sure that everything has been done to yield the best CBD products possible. The more refined the CBD extraction, the more effective your favorite CBD tinctures, capsules or concentrates will be.

So there you have it. Not only can you now wonder in the incredible medicinal benefits of hemp, but you can impress them with your knowledge of how much work goes into growing, processing and producing the finest quality hemp for your favorite CBD products.