Hemp harvest: how and when to harvest?

Modified on: 04/08/2024

SEPTEMBER IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO HARVEST HEMP. BUT BE CAREFUL OF THE METHOD: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARVESTING BY HAND AND WITH MACHINES

Hemp harvesting is a very delicate matter, and professionals know this all too well.

So if you’re here to try to understand exactly how this works, keep in mind that there are a few factors that can affect the outcome.

A successful harvest depends on the type of cultivation, temperature, light and climate. You can also choose between different methods depending on whether you need to harvest the inflorescences or not.

However, if you are looking for a quality product that fully complies with the strict Swiss regulations for cannabis CBD consumption, there is a way and that is not growing it at home.

If you want to know more about it, this article is for you.

When is the hemp plant harvested?

Growing hemp and harvesting it is an extremely delicate process that requires not only a lot of work but also a lot of experience.

Hemp is an annual plant, meaning that in most cases it takes around 90 to 120 days for the seed to become a plant, while the shoots only flower once and then die back until the next harvest is due.

Additionally, hemp plants are affected by seasonal changes, so as the days get shorter, the crop stops growing tall and starts producing flower buds instead. That’s why the best time for the hemp harvest is September.

Farmers should also keep an eye on the weather before choosing the right time to harvest hemp. Although we are talking about a robust plant, it cannot survive frost or excessive rain. Bad weather causes the plants’ branches to break, and when accompanied by excessive moisture, mold can form, especially on the larger flowers.

Those who have chosen to grow indoors know that peak season can technically be “created” and maintained by changing temperatures, lighting, humidity, etc. Additionally, in warmer climates it is possible to achieve two shifts per year, which would be equivalent to doubling crop productivity. The key is to test your product throughout its lifecycle and create an ideal growing environment.

Once you have identified the correct time period, let’s take a look at harvesting the hemp fiber.

Also read: Cannabinoids: short and long-term effects of THC, CBD, CBG and other active substances

Harvest hemp

To be clear, anyone who decides to harvest hemp for a living should keep some very precise requirements in mind, namely:

the temperature must be 15-20° C (optimal condition) ;

An air change is required every hour.

If the goal is to extract and distill CBD oil, the plants must go through the drying process. Keep in mind that buds may take anywhere from 1 to 12 days to dry depending on initial moisture content, size and density.

Typically, this process can take place in shipping containers where the plants are hung upside down, or the crop is transported to a chamber used solely for drying/drying.

Aside from that, there are two ways to harvest a hemp field: by hand or using farm machinery.

Let’s consider both cases.

How (and why) are cannabis flowers harvested by hand?

When hemp is harvested by hand, the integrity of the flower is protected. During the process, care must be taken not to damage the trichomes, terpenes and pistils. Mistreating the flowers can significantly reduce their value on the open market.

Furthermore, harvesting hemp by hand is labor-intensive. Typically, tools such as machetes, scissors, or tobacco knives are used to cut the stems and transport the hemp in a cart or trailer.

Then how you cut it depends on the drying method you choose:

If you intend to dry the hemp on the sieve, you will need to cut it into small sections so that you can arrange them more easily;

If it is to be hung, cut it into larger sections.

Finally, if you prefer manual harvesting, you will need a large number of workers. Typically, 5 to 10 people can harvest an acre for about eight hours (we’re talking about 2,000 plants that also need crop protection).

Hemp biomass and harvesting with machines

The hemp biomass requires different harvesting methods such as the inflorescences. Since the former is grown on an industrial scale for CBD extracts, it does not require as much care as the flowers.

In order to quickly harvest hectares of hemp, farmers use industrial agricultural equipment such as combine harvesters.

If they do this way, the need for manpower is certainly less compared to the first method.

Harvest or buy hemp? With JustBob you don’t have to worry about anything.
If you want to know how to properly harvest hemp for personal use, you might be better off asking yourself another question.

Is it really worth the effort?

We have seen that it is anything but easy and that it requires commitment, dedication and manpower. This leads to costs that are hardly bearable in relation to the desired goal.

Fortunately, at JustBob you can purchase the highest quality CBD weed with a very low THC content (less than 1%). This allows you to shop safely and in full compliance with European legislation.

CBD products contain no drugs and are completely safe, as the World Health Organization (WHO) explained at a conference a few years ago. The property this substance is known for is its relaxing effects.

Also read: Positive and negative effects of cannabis

Conclusions

The aim of this article was to explain how hemp harvesting occurs, when is the best time to start depending on which type of cultivation you have chosen (indoor or outdoor), and how to harvest cannabis inflorescences and biomass .

Of course, all the information we have given you applies to experienced cannabis growers who are familiar with the regulations for growing legal marijuana.

If you are looking for a safe and high quality product, visit JustBob‘s website.