Struggling to figure out how to grow marijuana outdoors? You’re not alone. Despite the popularity and legal status of cannabis in many places, outdoor cultivation remains a mystery for some enthusiasts.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the process from start to finish, outlining everything from selecting the perfect growing spot to achieving an impressive yield. Let’s dive into your new green thumb venture!
Key Takeaways
- Growing marijuana outdoors saves money. It needs stuff like sun, water, and good soil.
- Plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. Find a spot that gets lots of light.
- Keep your growing spot secret to keep plants safe. A fence or balcony can hide them from view.
- Before planting seeds outdoors, start their growth indoors first. Then move them outside when ready.
- Outdoor plants love loam soil with lots of plant food in it. Also, use nutrients and fertilizer to help them grow big and strong.
- Water your outdoor marijuana every 2 to 4 days when the weather is hot. But don’t drown the roots by giving too much water at once!
Benefits of Growing Marijuana Outdoors
Growing marijuana outdoors can be cost-effective, easy to do, and incredibly rewarding.
Cost-effective
Growing marijuana outdoors saves lots of money. You don’t need to buy lamps or pay for extra electricity. It is a cheaper way to grow your own supply and not have to shop at the store.
Nature gives you light and climate control for free! Outdoor plants also yield more, so one plant can give you plenty of harvest. Yet, be sure that all are female plants as males bring up costs in hemp farming.
Easy to do
Growing marijuana outdoors is a simple task. You just need to use basic tools and follow some clear steps. This kind of outdoor cultivation also helps you save money. You don’t need special lamps or lots of electricity like indoor growing needs.
Also, this plan makes the growth more natural and healthy for plants. It lets them tap into valuable sun energy in optimal conditions. With good care, your plants can give high-quality yields that are cost-effective too!
Fun and rewarding
Growing marijuana outdoors is a great hobby. It gives you joy and it pays back too. You get to play with different strains of the plant. This adds fun to your work. It’s easy for anyone to learn this.
Even if you are new, you can do it well soon enough. The best part? If you grow your own marijuana, you save money! Your own grown weed might even make some money for you down the line! So, growing cannabis outdoors is not just fun but rewarding too.
Factors to Consider Before Starting
Before you plunge headfirst into outdoor marijuana cultivation, there are several factors to ponder. Consider your local climate and remember that cannabis thrives in temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Keep an eye on the legal status of growing cannabis in your region, as it varies greatly worldwide. Lastly, take time to decide on a location for your outdoor grow – it needs plenty of sunlight yet must be discreet enough to protect from prying eyes or potential thieves.
Climate
Climate plays a key role in outdoor growing. It is vital to know the weather of your area. Cold and humid climates like Northern Europe can harm cannabis growth. The yield may decrease there.
Special steps are needed to stop this from happening.
Hot and dry areas also pose problems for growers. Too much heat, combined with not enough water, can hurt the plants’ growth. If we’re talking about harsh climate conditions, they still don’t make outdoor growing impossible though.
Growing cannabis outside helps our earth too! Indoor grow lights use a lot of power which increases greenhouse gases by 1.3 percent! So, growing outdoors is good for all: it’s not just easy on your pocket but kinder to our planet as well.
Legal status
You must know the laws before you grow marijuana outdoors. These change based on where you live. In some places, it is okay if you are 21 years old or older. But in other states, it isn’t allowed at all.
Farming hemp has rules too. The 2018 Farm Bill says that each state can make these rules themselves. They will give out licenses to those who want to farm hemp. Growing or having cannabis can lead to a penalty under MRTA (Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act).
If someone thinks their neighbor grows cannabis and it’s not allowed, they report this with guidelines.
Location
A good spot counts when growing marijuana outside. You need a sunny, safe place with lots of water and good soil drainage. A greenhouse or polytunnel is best in cold weather. It can save your plants from frostbite.
Keep an eye out for other people who grow marijuana as they may not welcome you on their land. Bear in mind, both indoor and outdoor weed growing uses lots of water which can harm the environment if not handled right.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Growing Site
Identifying the perfect site for growing your marijuana outdoors centers around factors like optimal sun exposure, maintaining privacy, and effective pest management. Uncover more as we delve into the specifics of selecting an impeccable location for your cannabis plants.
Sun exposure
You need to find a sunny spot for your cannabis plants. They love sunlight. At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day makes them grow well. But, moving them suddenly from weak light to strong sun can hurt them.
So, start slow if they come from indoors under lights. Outdoor growing gives more sun with UV rays than artificial lights inside do. These UV rays help the plants grow but can be too much at first.
Try to keep plant temperatures in the 70s or low 80s Fahrenheit if you can because that’s what they like best for growth.
Privacy
It’s crucial to pick a secret spot for your garden. This helps keep your outdoor cannabis plants safe. A privacy fence can offer much-needed cover. It makes sure people cannot see your plants from the street or from nearby houses.
Your balcony is also an option, as long as it faces south and gets lots of sun. If you have a private yard, this may be the best place to grow marijuana outdoors. But make sure you follow Michigan’s laws about keeping plants out of sight! It’s all about staying within the law while caring for your cannabis in peace.
Pest and weed control
Bugs and weeds can harm your outdoor weed plants. You need to use methods that keep these problems away. This could be using things like pesticides or insecticides. Start by making sure the area is clean to prevent garden pests from coming in.
Natural pest control options are also there if you don’t want to use chemicals. Plant protection comes first, so stay alert for signs of bugs and weeds. Don’t wait for them to spread – act fast! Choose plants known to resist pests more often than not as well, it will help keep both issues under control on your outdoor farm.
Preparing for Outdoor Cultivation
Before you cultivate marijuana outdoors, start by germinating seeds indoors. Choose whether to plant in containers or directly in the ground. Gather your basic gardening tools – you’ll need them for this exciting journey!
Germinating seeds
Get your seeds ready for outdoor planting. Begin the germination process indoors. It takes 3-10 days to get a sprout from a seed. Spring is a perfect time to start this task. You may use the water glass method or simply plant them directly in small pots with soil.
Care and patience will turn these tiny seeds into big plants outdoors!
Choosing containers or in-ground growing
You must decide where to plant your marijuana. Containers and in-ground growing are both good options. Containers let you move the plants around. Many growers like fabric pots for this job.
They help the roots get all the stuff they need.
But, what about in-ground planting? This option gives the plants a lot of space to grow big and tall. Before you choose this way, test your soil first. You want it to be just right for your plants’ needs.
Basic gardening tools
You need simple tools to start. Flower pots and plant containers hold your seeds. Gloves save your hands from dirt when you work in the garden. Use pruning shears and scissors to cut unwanted parts of plants.
A drying rack helps dry out the plants after harvest. Put used seeds in a storage bag for later use. Garden trowels help dig small holes for seeds or new plants. Test soil with pH meters to know if it is good for your plants.
Fertilizer makes your marijuana grow strong and healthy outdoors too!
Best Practices for Maintaining Outdoor Marijuana Plants
Proper soil selection is crucial for giving your plants a solid foundation. Ensure to opt for nutrient-rich options that provide ideal PH levels. Also, consider the fertilizers you’ll use – natural or synthetic, both have their pros and cons.
It’s important to establish a consistent watering schedule as well; cannabis plants love water but don’t do well with overwatering – balance is key here! Remember, these steps are pivotal in ensuring your outdoor marijuana thrive in their environment.
Soil selection
Picking the right soil is key. Loam soil works best for growing marijuana outside. It has clay, sand, and stuff that comes from plants. This mix lets water move through it easy so roots don’t drown.
Your plant needs good food in its dirt too. Have 40% peat moss and 10% other types of plant stuff in your soil mix to keep it healthy.
Nutrient and fertilizer options
You need to feed your plants well. They like nutrients and fertilizers. Nutrients help them grow big and strong. There are many kinds of these you can use for outdoor marijuana plants.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are key food items for the plants. Plants also love secondary foods like calcium and magnesium. One good way to give these is to use organic methods.
Organic fertilizers help soil health too.
Compost tea, fish emulsion, or bat guano are all good choices for this job. If there’s a steady water supply on hand then using pH Perfect® as a base nutrient every other watering time is a great idea.
But don’t add it full strength! Half-strength will do just fine.
Taking care of your outdoor marijuana plant with proper nutrition won’t only make it healthy but will save you extra effort in the long run!
Watering schedule
Watering your outdoor cannabis plants right is key. Large adult plants can drink up to 40 liters of water each day when it’s hot outside! You don’t want to drown them, though. Most kinds of cannabis like being watered every 2 to 4 days.
If you plant in clay pots, they help keep the soil moist. This means you won’t have to water as often. Make sure to follow these steps for a good watering schedule and keep your marijuana plants happy and healthy.
Conclusion
Growing marijuana outdoors is simple and fun. You need good soil, water, sunlight and care. Avoid mistakes by planning well. You will enjoy high yields of buds with a unique taste!
FAQs
1. Where is the best place to grow marijuana outdoors?
A sunny spot with good soil and easy access to water is the best place to grow marijuana outdoors.
2. When should I plant outdoor marijuana seeds?
You should plant outdoor marijuana seeds in spring when temperatures are not too cold, usually after the last frost has passed.
3. How much sunlight does an outdoor marijuana plant need every day?
An outdoor marijuana plant needs at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day for healthy growth.
4. Can I grow a high-quality yield from one small garden space?
Yes, even one small garden area can produce high-quality results if you take care of your plants properly.
5. Is it illegal to grow my own weed?
Laws about growing weed vary by location, so always check local rules before starting.