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Hardy Tobacco Planting Instructions for Eastern Kentucky
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Starting Seeds Indoors
Tobacco seeds need to be started indoors in late November to early December in a cold frame or hot house 3-4 months before the last frost is expected, usually around mid-March. -
Watering Seeds
When starting the seeds, the ground should be kept moist but not damp. -
Seed Fertilization
Seeds should be fertilized intermittently with the watering -
Germination Period
Seeds germinate in 7-10 days in a hot house or cold frame. -
Fertilizing Seedlings
Seedlings should be fertilized every 3-4 weeks with a seaweed/fish emulsion. -
Maturation Period
Seeds mature to seedlings within 4-6 weeks of planting in the hot house or cold frame. -
How Deep?
When planting the seedlings, you should cover the roots and 1" of the plant to ensure it will take a stronghold in the ground. -
Above Ground?
When planting seedlings that are 6-8" tall, you should leave 4-6" of the plant above ground. Plants should be set 2-3' apart in rows that are 3 1/2-4' apart. -
Watering Plants
When seedligns are planted, they should be watered every day for the first few days until they start growing in the ground. -
Fertilizing Plants
Once the plants are growing, they should be fertilized once a week with a low-chlorine fertilizer that only has nitrogen as a nitrate, until the plants begin to flower. -
Pests
Once the plants are growing, you need to watch for pests that like tobacco. These include nematodes, budworms, hornworms, and pathogens. -
Pesticides
Pesticides that eliminate nematodes, budworms, hornworms, and pathogens are Nemacor, Prowl, and Admire. Use these pesticides only as needed when you see pest damage on the tobacco plants. -
Production Timeframe
The estimated production timeframe is approximately 3 months after the seedlings have been planted. -
Hardy Tobacco for Kentucky's Agriculture
Tobacco is an extremely hardy plant and will grow where other agriculture crops won't
