How to Get Started with Growing Hemp Seed & Clones in Rhode Island

The CBD industry is growing rapidly in the U.S. and hemp cultivation offers new opportunity for Rhode Island farmers. There’s no denying that CBD there’s an immense potential to make a profit in the budding industry. But the only issue is, up until recently, hemp hasn’t been grown in Rhode Island for nearly 50 years. And since resources are in limited supply, many farmers aren’t sure how to get started or where to turn to for help.

But fear not. Getting started with growing hemp seed and clones in Rhode Island isn’t all that difficult. You just have to be willing to put in a little extra effort. Below, we’ve provided some tips and advice to help you along your journey.

Getting Started as a Hemp Farmer in Rhode Island

When you’re growing hemp, you treat the process as you would with any other new crop. You plan carefully and prepare yourself for the possibility of experiencing some hiccups along the way. The good news is, hemp is a robust plant and grows well in most regions, including Rhode Island. So long as you take your time to address the legal side of things and take your time with planning and researching, you’ll do just fine. Here’s how to get started with growing CBD hemp seed and clones in Rhode Island.

Step 1: Obtain a license.

In order to grow hemp seed or seedlings in Rhode Island, you must have a license. You can apply for this license online. You may also be required to obtain an ID card and background check. Currently, the licensing fee is $2,500, which must be paid once every two years.

Step 2: Find a hemp seed supplier.

This step is crucial. It’s important to choose a seed supplier you can trust. You want to plant CBD rich hemp seed or clones that are pure and have good genetics. Look for a supplier who has experience, provides good customer support, and is transparent about their processes. Always read COAs from lab reports.

Step 3: Buy your supplies and equipment.

If you’re planting seed, we recommend using a Monosem planter. For clones, we find that a Checchi & Magli transplanter works out quite well. For harvest, we recommend using a modified combine to separate the biomass from the stem. You will also need to determine your fertilizing, weeding, and watering strategy.

Step 4: Begin planting.

Hemp is usually planted some time between April to June, depending on the weather conditions. In Rhode Island, the growing season is shorter than other states, so it’s important to take this into consideration. For clones, we recommend 48” by 36” spacing, which comes out to be about 3,600 plants per acre. For seeds, we recommend 30” by 24” spacing, which works out to be about 8,700 plants per acre.

Step 5: Follow legal requirements and growing guidelines.

During the growing season, it’s important to make sure that you’re following guidelines for successful crop production and legal restrictions. Test your plants often and become familiar with Rhode Island’s legislation and hemp pilot program. For more information on growing and harvesting hemp seed and clones, check out our resources page.

Work with the Nation’s Trusted Hemp Seed Supplier

CBD Seed Co. is the largest and most reputable hemp seed supplier in the U.S. Call our office today to order CBD seeds or clones for your Rhode Island hemp farm.