PLANTING, RAISING & USING TOBACCO

Raising tobacco is very easy. The seeds you received should be started inside in flats. In northern states, start the seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Tobacco can be ready to harvest for curing about 60 days after transplanting, therefore it can be raised in almost any state. If raising more than one variety of tobacco, use separate flats. A mixture of peat humus and potting soil should be used. Potting soil only can be used if you select a high grade of commercial potting soil.

Place the mixture into the flats, soak the soil with water and allow the excess water to drain off. The next day, sprinkle the tobacco seeds onto the surface of the damp soil. Do not cover the seeds as they need light for germination. Tobacco seeds are very tiny, so be careful to spread the seeds evenly. Keep the soil damp being careful not to wash the seeds around when you water. You will begin to notice sprouts in about two weeks. Transplant outside after all danger of frost is past.

If you have a moderate growing season and can start the seeds outside, try to sow the seeds where leaves or wood has been burned. The plants will thrive in these spots. Tobacco requires a lot of nitrogen and potash which is supplied by wood ashes. The ashes from charcoal grills are also beneficial. We recommend applying a good brand of garden fertilizer to the area where the plants will be grown. Working in rotted manure is very good for the plants. Never raise tobacco plants in the same spot in the garden for over a few years at a time as tobacco plants will totally deplete the nutrients in the soil.

You should space the tobacco plants about 2 ft. apart in rows 3 ft. apart when practical. The plants are large enough to transplant when the largest leaves are 2" or larger. Always transplant outside in late evening or when it is cloudy and overcast. Water plants thoroughly after transplanting and water daily each day until plants have become established. When growing in tubs, limit the number of plants grown. Tobacco plants need to be exposed to full sun while growing.

Tobacco roots grow quickly and often close to the surface. Be careful around plants when hoeing or cultivating around them. Try not to disturb the soil anymore than necessary. As the plant begins growing, remove all suckers as they will sap the plants growth.

Tobacco plants suffer from several diseases and are attacked by several leaf chewers. We recommend using sevin dust to control insects. Be cautious not to use any form of systemic insecticide that will penetrate the leaf. Remember, you may be chewing or smoking this plant and you do not want to be ingesting chemical residues. For a truly natural pesticide, purchase an ounce of tobacco dust from us and make your own supply by mixing one teaspoon tobacco dust, one teaspoon of black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap to one gallon of water.

HOW TO CURE TOBACCO LEAVES

We have had pretty good luck with the following method: First you take the freshly cut leaves and tie them in a bundle by the stalks. Then hang the bundle in a shady place. After about a week the leaves are pretty dry. Then you can mist them with a misting bottle about three times a day. Continue this until they are a pretty brown color throughout. It usually takes about 3-4 weeks. Then roll and smoke.

If you know of other curing methods which are easily adaptable for home use, please feel free to send them to us and We'll include them on this page. Also please send along your own experiences and ideas about growing your own tobacco so that we can share them with others.

OTHER NON-SMOKING USES FOR
TOBACCO

Not everyone who grows tobacco does so to smoke it. Tobacco plants have rich green foliage which also makes it a very attractive plant addition to any garden. Most varieties also have very nice flowers which provide a brilliant contrast to their large leaves. Of particular value as ornamental garden plants are the Rose Tobacco, and Jasmine Tobacco which grow abundant flowers.

Additionally, many organic gardeners use it to create pesticides for their gardens that are completely biodegradable and very effective. There are specific varieties best suited for this like Mountain Tobacco which also makes a good filler for other herbal pesticides. Many non-smokers see this as the tobacco plants most noble use.

Still some people like tobacco but prefer to chew it rather than smoke it. This form of tobacco is most commonly known as snuff. It is generally tobacco which has been flavored (often with herbs or fruit extracts) and is stored until use in small tin cans or "snuff boxes." It is then chewed to release the flavor and tobacco nicotine. Generally it is held between the cheek and gums until discarding. Small Stalk Black Mammoth Tobacco and Velvet Tobacco are excellent plant varieties for snuff making.

Many mistakenly believe that there are no or little health problems from using snuff because they aren't inhaling any smoke. The use of snuff does dramatically increase your chance of mouth, throat, and stomach cancers so its use shouldn't be taken lightly, nor used to excess. Although this form of consumption was more popular in the past, the general lack of spittoons in local establishments is a testament to it's declining popularity.

WARNING:

The Surgeon General has determined that tobacco smoking can be hazardous to your heath. If you grow and use tobacco for smoking, we strongly suggest you get additional information available from our other Gardening & Plant Loving Links page regarding the health risks involved. We also have a very good Article with Tips on Quitting Smoking available on this website.