Storing Hemp: Best Practices

Before we start talking about storing hemp, we’d like to say that for the best chance at success in the hemp industry, we recommend having a buyer lined up before you order your plants. Having a buyer means you know where your product is going when it’s finished growing and out of your hands. This information also helps you decide how much you’ll need to grow. 

But now that you’re harvesting, we wanted to discuss the best practices for harvesting your hemp for storage if you are late lining up a buyer (or your buyer backs out). Remember, step one before you plant your hemp should be to have a contract in hand with a trusted buyer.

Harvest at the correct time

With no buyer and nowhere for the hemp to go, it may be tempting to let your crop continue to grow.  But you do not want to delay your harvest. If your crop is ready to be harvested, do the work. Failure to harvest could lead to the product going hot, resulting in no chance of still turning a profit. Harvesting is labor-intensive and should always be well thought out and planned for. You’d rather harvest at the right time, storing your hemp for later, than harvest too late, causing it to have to be destroyed.

Trim the buds

It is best to trim the buds while wet as it is easier, more precise, and the risk of losing resin is lower. Trimming the buds will lead to a higher-quality appearance and aid in the drying process. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding on hand versus machine-trimming. While machine-trimming is probably best for large crops, remember that hand-trimming will usually produce a higher quality bud and better experience for the consumer. Hand-trimming is more labor intensive but should also add to the value of your product.

Dry it correctly

We cannot stress how important this step is. If dried incorrectly, hemp can lose its potency and taste and be worthless. Drying with incorrect humidity and temperature levels can be very detrimental to the end product. 

Once harvested, immediately move the floral biomass to a drying facility. This can be as simple as a pole barn. The areas should be under a roof, out of direct sunlight, and well-ventilated. Fans should be utilized to promote continuous airflow. Ventilation is crucial, with ideal temperatures of 60-70 degrees F and 60% humidity. 

Many processors say that hemp dried at the same temperatures as flu-cured tobacco ruins the product due to the high temperatures, causing the process to be too quick. Slow and steady is the way to go, for sure. 

Store the bud

Second to drying correctly, the way you store the bud is the next most important step in this process. Once dry, storage in an airtight container or wrap is the best practice. This will preserve your product for the longest amount of time.

With those steps completed, you will have some time to locate a buyer. One more time, we cannot say it enough: we always recommend that you have a buyer lined up and a written contract in hand before you even plant your first clone or seedling for the season. Our goal is your success.