In spring the land is harrowed again and rolled, making a firm tilth over the entire surface. Generally sown in March, seeds germinate at low temperature, but not below 1deg. In many countries seed sown broadcast. Besides, they are more difficult to handle during harvesting, retting and scutching. Plants require little cultivation, except for weeding during early stages of growth.
Hemp grows rapidly and soon crowds out weeds.
After plants are 20 cm tall, weeding is abandoned. Hemp tends to exhaust the soil of nutrients. Some nutrients are returned to the soil after plants are harvested. On medium fertile soils a dressing of farm manure or a green-manure crop should be added and turned under. Chalk, potash, or gypsum may be applied to the soil to add the needed nutrition.