Planting CBD Seed In New York: Hemp Soil Requirements

It’s common knowledge among farmers that soil can make a significant difference with the success of any harvest. That’s why making soil amendments and taking the required steps to prepare your soil before you even plant your first seed is so important. While hemp is considered as a low maintenance crop, farmers will still have to take the time and consideration to ensure soil conditions are optimal. Hemp is highly sensitive to the nutrients it receives through your soil, so having the right soil conditions is really significant for the health and success of your crops. For farmers planting CBD seed in New York, here’s what you need to know in regards to your soil requirements.

Soil Requirements for CBD Hemp In New York

Hemp cultivation dates back to thousands and thousands of years and is one of the oldest crops domestically used. However, modern-day farming practices are still emerging due to the recent legalization of hemp cultivation. Due to hemp prohibition in the US, farmers are still working on best practices and understanding the best soil conditions for this versatile crop. Here’s what we do know:

Hemp thrives in well-drained, well-aerated soil with a pH level that’s between 6.0 and 7.5. This crop enjoys deeper soil loaded with organic matter. If your soil isn’t aerated or loamy, hemp can still grow successfully in well-drained clay soil as long as you place extra consideration on fertilization and irrigation. Minimizing heavy metal content in your soil is also crucial because hemp has bioaccumulative properties, meaning that it absorbs various elements from the soil. Hemp can have a detoxifying effect on soil due to its ability to absorb heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, radioactive elements, fuel, and explosives. While this has made hemp a great option for cleaning up soil, this gives farmers an obstacle if your soil is hazardous. So, how do farmers find out what condition their soil is and how do they improve it? Let’s take a closer look.

How to Improve Your Hemp Soil Conditions

1. Test your soil: Performing soil tests is the first critical step you’ll need to take before you plant your first CBD seed. Soil tests provide a comprehensive analysis of your pH levels and nutrients found within your soil. These tests should be performed months in advance so that you have adequate time to make the amendments you need and have it retested before planting. These results should give you a clear idea of what nutrients you’ll need to add or remove.
2. Develop your soil nutrition and irrigation plan: Based on the results of your soil test, you’ll be able to develop your soil nutrition and irrigation plan. In your plan, you’ll need to create a strategy for preparing your fields and amending any nutrient deficiencies before you introduce any CBD seed or clones. Based on your soil and hemp strains, another piece of your strategy will be irrigation. Hemp enjoys well-drained soil so overwatering can cause disease and other significant concerns. Make sure to pick the right irrigation system for your New York farm based on these requirements.
3. Prepare your soil for planting CBD seed: Whether you’re a first-time farmer or a farmer transitioning from another crop, chances are that you’ll need to make some changes to your soil in preparation for your hemp. Brand new fields usually require more amendments than fields that have had previous crops. The results of your soil test will better help you prepare your soil so that you can optimize the health of the ecosystem of your farm.

Essential Soil Nutrients Required When Planting CBD Seed

Here are some of the macro-essential nutrients required in your soil:

• Nitrogen: Nitrogen is crucial for hemp cultivation. If your soil test reveals that you’re deficient in nitrogen, make sure to add a significant amount before planting.
• Phosphorus: Phosphorus is critical for farmers growing hemp for CBD production. This nutrient is responsible for supporting good flower growth which is where CBD is densely formed. Make sure to stick to the proper limit of phosphorus and not exceed the recommended amount.
• Boron: Make sure to look over your soil test to see if your soil is boron deficient. Another recommendation is to check your hemp leaves midway through the season to ensure your plants don’t need additional boron.
• Fertilizer: Hemp typically thrives in soil that’s abundant in organic nutrient matter. Whether you decide to use compost, kelp extract, or another organic matter, you’ll want to make sure you’re adding well-rounded nutrients to your soil. If the fertilizer you’re adding contains too much of a specific nutrient, this could wreak havoc on your farm.

Find the Right CBD Seed for Your New York Farm

It’s impossible to create the perfect soil conditions for your hemp farm but investing in the right CBD seed can help improve your success rates. Having reliable genetics that has been bred for these purposes can help you achieve resilient, durable plants that do well with all the different environmental extremes and risks.

Work with an Agronomist

If you’re inexperienced with interpreting soil tests and developing amendment plans, working with an agronomist is always a good option. They can help you properly prepare your fields and achieve the right soil conditions before you start planting. Based on your soil test results, they should also be able to help you develop your nutrient and irrigation plan.

Work with New York’s Trusted CBD Seed Supplier

CBD Seed Co. is honored to be the trusted CBD seed supplier serving the state of New York. Work with our team to develop the right soil conditions for your farm and gain access to our industry-leading advice for nutrition and irrigation plans. For more information regarding how to prepare your soil for hemp cultivation, please contact us!