Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Harvesting the fibers
• Method 2 of 2: Harvesting the hemp seeds
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Harvesting the fiber
• Harvesting the hemp seeds

Hemp is a versatile plant that can be harvested for its plant fibers or for its nutritious seeds. Unfortunately, the fibers and seeds do not ripen at the same time during the season and cannot be harvested together from the same crop. Whichever of the two you plan to harvest from the hemp, make sure it is grown legally in your area.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Harvesting the fibers

1. Start harvesting the fiber as the seeds begin to develop. Look for seeds that start to form in groups on your plant near the leaves. Waiting too far into the growing season will make the fibers too rough and the male fibers will die quickly after the plants pollinate.
   • If you want stronger fiber, harvest the raw fiber from the mature stems.
   • Harvesting hemp fibers and seeds at the same time is quite a challenge because they ripen at different times. Decide which of the two you prefer to harvest.
2. Cut the stems with a sickle or sickle mower. Cut off as close to the ground as you can. If you have a small field of hemp, you can use a hand sickle to cut the stems individually. For larger fields, consider using a sickle mower to make uniform cuts at the same height.
   • Sickles are curved blades generally used for grain harvesting and tall stems. They can be purchased from a garden supply store.
   • A sickle attachment is an attachment for a lawn mower or tractor with a row of blades to cut the stems at the same height. Rent a sickle attachment from a specialty store for agricultural machines.
3. Leave the stems in the field for five weeks. Stack the stems together on the ground and let them rot a little. The rot on the outer layer of the stem makes it easier to separate the fibers later on. This process is known as retting and can take up to five weeks.
   • Moisture and microbes break down the chemical bonds that hold the stem together.
   • Retting will not be able to take place at temperatures below 5 ° C or above 40 ° C.
   • Retting can also be done by soaking the stems in water for 7 to 10 days.
4. Let the stems dry in a cool, dry area until their moisture level is 15% or less. Stand the stems upright and separate them so they can dry completely. Use a moisture meter to determine how much water is left in the plant.
   • Moisture meters used to measure water content in plants can be purchased online or at garden stores.
5. Break the stems with a decortication machine to separate the fibers. A decortication machine is a device with two gear-like rollers that break down the dried pieces of hemp stalk. Pass one or two dried stems at a time through the rollers of the machine. The rollers break off the woody parts of the stems and collect the fibers on the other side.
   • Decortication machines can be rented from agricultural machinery shops.
   • Use caution when operating heavy machinery to avoid injury.

Method 2 of 2: Harvesting the hemp seeds

1. Start the harvest when the crop is 16 weeks old. Look for seeds that have not split open close to the flowers in full bloom. Feel the seed pods to determine if they are hard to the touch. At this point in the season, most of the leaves will have fallen off the stem.
   • In many places, the harvest usually takes place in the autumn.
   • Seeds from the same plant will ripen at different times. While some of the bottom seeds may already be ripe, the seeds higher up on the plant may not be ready yet. Pay close attention to the plant to determine when to harvest it for maximum yield.
   • Leave the fallen leaves on the ground as compost for the next growing season.
2. Pick the tops of the plants with a sickle during dry and sunny weather. Make the cuts under the lowest group of seeds. The seeds should resemble small marbles and have no cracks. Hold the top of the stake and cut with a sickle just below the lowest seed pod.
   • For larger commercial fields, use a combine with a two-cutter.
3. Set up a tarp in a well-ventilated area. Make sure the sail is flat on the ground. When you are inside, leave a few windows open to let in a breeze and fresh air. If you are outside, put the tarp on the ground in an open area.
   • A clean sheet is also fine if you don't have a tarp.
4. Thresh the seed on the tarpaulin with a stick or club. Hold the end of the stake just below the lowest seed husk with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to hit the stake with a stick. The seeds will break off the stem with every stroke. Collect the fallen seeds in the tarpaulin you have laid out until you are done.
   • Use an industrial thresher for large crops.
5. Hop the seeds in two large buckets to remove any residue. Place the seeds you have collected in a 20 liter bucket. Hold the bucket 12 inches above another empty bucket and slowly pour in the seeds. While doing this, the residue from the stake and seed pods will blow away. Repeat this six to ten times to remove any residue.
   • Use an industrial fan for commercial fields to save time and energy.
   • Aim a fan at the buckets if the area you are working in has poor airflow.
6. Store the seeds in a room at a temperature of 0 ° C to 4 ° C and with a low humidity. Pour the seeds into a 25 cm deep container and close with a lid. Store the seeds in a large refrigerator or cool area so that they don't germinate during storage.
   • Hemp seeds in a dry storage area will crack and get germs.
   • You can store the seeds in bags if they have a moisture level of less than 12%.

Tips

• Hemp fiber and hemp seeds ripen at different times during the growing season. Choose one of the two to harvest.
• Hemp fibers can be used for clothing, textiles and to make rope.
• Hemp seeds can be used as a substitute for breadcrumbs, in a smoothie, or eaten raw.

Warnings

• Be careful when operating heavy machinery so you don't injure yourself.
• Hemp cultivation is illegal in some countries. Check local laws before growing it.

Necessities

Harvesting the fiber

• Sickle or sickle mower
• Moisture meter
• Decortication machine

Harvesting the hemp seeds

• Sickle
• Sail or sheet
• Stick or bat
• Buckets with a capacity of 20 l
• Plastic container or bags