Growing Hemp: Types, Care & Uses of This Useful Crop

What exactly is industrial hemp?

Industrial hemp, botanically Cannabis sativa, is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Unlike its intoxicating relative, it contains only minimal amounts of the psychoactive THC. Instead, it offers vigorous growth, versatile uses and positive effects for your garden.

Depending on the variety, the plant reaches a height of three to four meters within a single season. Its dense foliage effectively suppresses weeds. The deep-reaching root system loosens the soil and can bind pollutants. Hemp is therefore an ideal partner in crop rotation.

Later, you can use the fibers from the stems, the protein-rich seeds (hemp nuts) or the entire plant as animal feed. For home gardeners, providing bird food from seeds grown at home is also a worthwhile goal.

Which types of hemp are suitable for the garden?

Not every hemp variety produces the same results. Your choice depends on its primary intended use. The three main types are fiber hemp, oil hemp and ornamental hemp.

Fiber hemp for durable materials

These varieties grow particularly tall and develop long, strong bast fibers. Harvest them for fiber production shortly before or during flowering. 'Futura', 'Fedora' and 'Felina' are well-known varieties approved in the EU.

Oil hemp for nutritious seeds

Oil hemp varieties produce many large seeds. The plants are allowed to mature fully for this purpose. The seeds contain valuable oils and proteins. Varieties such as 'Finola' and 'Uso' are specially bred for this use.

Ornamental or dwarf varieties

Compact varieties such as 'Bialobrzeskie' are suitable for small gardens or even containers. They grow only 1,5 to 2 meters tall, but have the typical decorative foliage and produce seeds.

“Industrial hemp is one of the most efficient plants for biomass production. On the same area, it produces up to four times more cellulose than wood in a much shorter time.”

Preparation: Location, soil & seed

With the right preparation, you lay the foundation for a successful harvest. Hemp is undemanding, but it still has certain requirements.

The perfect location

Choose a spot in full sun. The more light, the stronger the growth. Sheltered locations are beneficial so that the tall plants do not bend or break. The site should be available for the entire growing season.

Because it suppresses weeds, hemp is also suitable as a filler crop or for improving the soil on fallow land. Plan enough space, as the plants can become bushy.

Preparing and fertilizing the soil

Loosen the soil thoroughly and deeply. Remove stones and perennial weeds. Hemp does not like waterlogging, so good drainage is essential. Mix heavy soils with sand.

Applying mature compost or an organic slow-release fertilizer before sowing provides the plants with sufficient nutrients. In over-fertilized soil, hemp grows too tall and becomes unstable. Find more helpful products in our range for gardening & plant supplies.

Choosing the right seed

Choose a goal: fibers, seeds or ornamental use. Buy the corresponding certified seed. Hemp seed usually retains a high germination rate for several years. For feeding birds or small animals from your own cultivation, for example, our

Hemp seed 10kg for birds, rodents and horses

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Sowing hemp: Step by step

Direct sowing outdoors is the easiest and best method. Hemp does not tolerate being transplanted well.

Timing: From mid-May

Wait until the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. A consistent soil temperature above 10°C is ideal. This is usually the case from mid-May. Sowing later, up to the end of June, shortens the growing period.

Sowing instructions

Use a hoe to make a shallow furrow about 2-3 cm deep. The rows should be spaced 20 to 30 centimeters apart. Place the seeds in the furrow 10-15 cm apart. With closer spacing, the plants support one another as they grow taller, which can be desirable for fiber hemp.

Cover the seeds loosely with soil and press it down lightly. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet, during the first two weeks. Germination occurs after 5 to 10 days.

Care During the Growing Season

Hemp is easy to care for, but a few measures can improve yield and quality.

Water and Nutrients

During the first four to six weeks after germination, sufficient water is essential. Water thoroughly during dry periods. Later, the deep roots reach up to one metre into the soil, allowing the plant to supply itself.

Additional nitrogen fertilisation during the main growing period (around June) can encourage growth. An organic liquid fertiliser is best for this. However, too much nitrogen makes the plants more susceptible to wind damage.

Weed Only at the Beginning

While the hemp plants are small, keep the rows free from competing plants. As soon as the dense canopy closes—which happens very quickly—hemp controls weeds itself. You can find sharp, suitable tools for this work in the garden tools category.

Pests and Diseases

Hemp is highly resistant. Powdery mildew can appear on the lower leaves during damp weather. Remove affected leaves. A well-ventilated location provides preventative protection. Pests such as aphids are rarely a problem, as the leaves are unattractive to many insects.

A reliable pair of scissors can be useful for harvesting and further pruning, such as our

"Pruning scissors" - the all-purpose cutter for home & garden

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“The hemp plant sustainably improves soil structure. Its roots penetrate compacted layers and, after harvesting, leave behind a fine, well-aerated soil profile for the following crop.”

Harvesting and Processing Hemp

The harvest time determines what you can obtain. There is no single harvest time suitable for every purpose.

Harvesting for Fibre (Bast)

Cut the plants for fibre production shortly before or during flowering. Depending on the variety and sowing date, this is between the end of July and the end of August. At this stage, the stems are still green and the fibres are at their most pliable.

Cut the stems just above the ground. Remove the leaves. To release the fibres, the stems must now undergo water retting—a process in which microorganisms separate the woody parts from the bast fibres.

Harvesting for Seeds (Hemp Seeds)

Wait until the seed heads are brown and the seeds are hard. This can take until September or October. Carefully knock the seeds out into a bucket or cut off the entire panicles.

Dry the seeds thoroughly in an airy, shaded place. You can then thresh them out of their husks. The harvested seeds are suitable for your own kitchen or as high-quality bird feed. Our offers a practical alternative or addition.

Harvesting the Whole Plant for Animals or Mulch

You can also use the entire plant as green fodder or to make mulch. The harvest time is more flexible in this case. Chop up the dried plants and use them as protective ground cover in your beds. Suitable garden waste bags can be found here: garden waste bags.

Other Household Uses

The robust fibres can also be made into simple ropes or yarns. For sealing work around the home and garden, such as threaded connections, our dense and renewable

Hemp sealing fibre 180-200g, hemp seal, sealing threads

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With these steps, you can transform your garden into a productive space for one of the oldest and most useful crops. Hemp combines practical benefits with ecological gardening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is growing hemp legal in Germany?

Yes, but only under strict conditions. Growing approved, low-THC industrial hemp varieties (Cannabis sativa) with a THC content below 0,2% is permitted. You must obtain these varieties from certified seed suppliers and can use them for fibres, seeds or bird feed. Private ornamental cultivation or home growing of psychoactive cannabis (marijuana), on the other hand, remains prohibited.

When is the best time to sow hemp?

Sow hemp directly outdoors as soon as no more late frosts are expected—around mid-May. The soil temperature should remain consistently above 10°C. For an earlier harvest or in cooler regions, you can start plants indoors from April. Make sure they receive enough light to prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy.

What type of soil does hemp need for optimum growth?

Hemp has few requirements, but grows best in deep, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Heavy, waterlogged soils are unsuitable. Applying compost or an organic slow-release fertiliser before sowing encourages growth. You can enrich light soils with humus.

Can I grow hemp in a pot on my balcony?

Pots are not ideal for high fibre or seed yields, as hemp develops a deep root system. Compact ornamental varieties (such as 'Bialobrzeskie') can, however, be grown in large containers holding at least 30 litres. Very good drainage and regular watering are important, as pots dry out more quickly. The location must be sunny.

What should I do with the harvested hemp plant?

How you use it depends on the variety grown. Dry the plants after harvesting. The seeds (hemp seeds) can be eaten raw, pressed for oil or used as bird feed (PRODUCT_23308). After special retting, the long fibres from the stems are suitable for making ropes, textiles or sealing material (PRODUCT_20716). The leaves and flower heads can be used as mulch.