Sunn hemp is a warm-season annual that grows upright and tall, reaching a height of 4 to 6 feet in 60 days. It has simple, oblong-shaped leaves that are 2.5 to 5 inches long. Branching occurs about 2 feet from the ground or higher if planted in a thick stand as a green manure crop. The plant has a strong taproot and well-developed lateral roots with branched and lobed nodules. Research has shown it suppresses parasitic nematode populations in the soil.

For Green Manure:

Plow it under or cut it at the bloom stage (around 60 days). It can produce as much as 6,000 lbs of biomass and up to 145 lbs of Nitrogen.

For Feed:

The leaves are around 30% protein. You must be careful because some varieties contain poisonous alkaloids. The University of Hawaii has one called Tropic Sunn that is not harmful to cattle and other livestock.

Hempcrete:

Hempcrete is a building material made from the stalks of Sunn Hemp. It has a high R-Value and is fire resistant. To make hempcrete, you take the core of the stalk (called hemp hurds), and mix with lime and water. 33lbs of Hemp Hurds will generate 4 cubic feet of insulating material

PLANTING INFO:

Seeding Rate: recommended seeding rate is 15 lbs. for a cover crop and 25 - 30 lbs. per acre

Planting Depth: 14" - 1/2"

Inoculant: Peanut type