Yo, what’s good? Are you tired of paying ridiculous amounts of cash for some sticky icky? Well, let me put you onto something. Growing your own weed outdoors is a game-changer. Not only is it a fun hobby, but it can also save you some serious dough. Here are some tips on how to grow that dank outdoors.
1. Location, Location, Location
If you wanna grow some dank bud outdoors, the first thing you gotta worry about is finding the perfect spot. You’ll want to find a place that gets enough light and that you can get to without drawing too much attention. If you have a backyard or garden, great. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day — some strains need six hours of direct sun exposure every day. A south-facing spot is ideal if you can find it (assuming you’re growing in the northern hemisphere). If you don’t have access to a backyard, you might consider renting a plot of land for the season for your grow.
2. Security for Your Grow
Security is key when growing outdoors — one of the last things you want is someone stealing your plants or crop. Make sure to keep your grow under wraps — don’t tell anyone about it and do what you can to hide your plants from passersby. You might consider building a fence around your grow space or use camouflage netting or tarp to conceal it. You may even want to think about installing motion-activated alarms or cameras around your garden just in case anyone decides to pay you an unwanted visit.
3. Soil Matters
Having high-quality soil is essential when growing weed outdoors. Good soil helps create a healthy environment for roots and absorbs water, nutrients, and oxygen more easily. Make sure to check your soil’s pH level before planting — the ideal pH range is 6-7 for cannabis plants. If your soil isn’t up to par, consider adding compost or organic fertilizer to amend it. And if you don’t have access to soil, then you’ll need to buy some pre-made planting mixes from your local grow shop.
4. Choose the Right Strain
Choosing the right strain is another essential step in the outdoor growing process. Different strains require different conditions, so it’s important to pick one that will thrive in your particular environment. Some strains are better suited for cooler climates while others prefer hot and dry weather — do your research to make sure you pick one that will be perfectly at home in your grow space.
5. Watering
Watering is an important part of any outdoor grow — over- or under-watering can both have negative impacts on your plants. The best way to know when and how much to water is by feel — stick your finger into the soil and check its moisture level. If it feels moist and cool, there’s no need to water yet; if it feels dry, give it a good drink. Keep in mind that different stages of growth may require different amounts of water — seedlings, for instance, will need less water than mature plants. Additionally, try to avoid getting the leaves and buds wet when watering as this can cause mold and mildew problems down the line.
6. Fertilizer
Fertilizer can help give your plants an extra boost — just make sure to use one designed specifically for each stage of growth and follow the instructions carefully. Fertilizers come in a variety of forms, from granular to liquid, but they all provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that help promote healthy growth. “Starter” fertilizers containing mostly nitrogen are recommended in early-to-mid growth whereas “bloom boosters” come with extra phosphorus and potassium to support bud growth.
7. Organic Pest Control
Pests can be a huge problem when growing outdoors — they can quickly ruin an entire crop if not dealt with properly. The safest way to keep pests away is by using organic methods such as insecticidal soaps, natural oils, insect traps, and companion planting (growing certain plants near your cannabis that naturally repel bugs).
8. Mold Prevention
Mold can also be a major problem for outdoor growers — high humidity levels are often the culprit here. To prevent mold from forming on your plants, make sure there’s adequate air circulation around them, prune off any overly large fan leaves, and if possible, move them somewhere with the most amount of sunlight. Stay on top of mold outbreaks by inspecting your buds religiously as harvest approaches.
9. Harvest Time
Harvest time is one of the most exciting times for any grower! When it comes time to harvest your outdoor crop, make sure you keep an eye on the trichomes of your buds in order determine when they are ready for harvest; if they are mostly cloudy with just a few amber colored ones then they should be good to go! Once harvested, hang your buds upside down in a cool dark place so that they can properly cure before smoking them (this will result in a better tasting smoke).
10. Trimming & Curing
The last step in the growing process is trimming and curing your buds — this helps enhance flavor and maximize potency. Start by trimming away any excess leaves from the bud using sharp scissors or shears; then place them in glass jars or bags (make sure they’re completely dry first!) for curing. You’ll want to open your containers (burping) periodically during curing to release any trapped chlorophyll gas. Otherwise, you’ll get a harsh smoke. Finally, after about two weeks of curing, your buds will be perfect.
And there you have it! That’s everything you need to know about growing dank bud outdoors! With a bit of preparation and patience, you can create some top-notch herb in no time!