Outdoor Weed Growing: Comprehensive Tips for Success
If you're considering growing cannabis outdoors, you're headed into a fascinating and rewarding adventure. There's much to learn from fellow growers in your area, especially when it comes to adapting to local climates and conditions. Whether you join a local grow shop, online forums, or farming communities on social media, these connections can provide invaluable insights and advice.
Choosing the Right Spot for Your Outdoor Garden
When it comes to finding the perfect spot for your cannabis plants, the first rule of thumb is to look for a location that receives approximately six to seven hours of direct sunlight. Traditionally, this could be an edge of a farmer's field, near a drainage ditch, or around swampy areas where tall grass indicates nutrient-rich soils. In the fall, scouting the area can give you a sneak peek at what the landscape holds.
Gardening experts recommend locating your outdoor garden close to a water source. Cannabis plants need constant irrigation, especially when the distance from water is more than four to five feet. For cities or suburban areas, look for any nearby faucets, streams, or ponds to ensure your plants have the necessary water supply.
Starting Your Cannabis Plants
To begin, start with small seedlings about four inches tall. These can be transplanted into pre-dug gardens, where you can add potting soil and lime to enhance soil fertility. Don't skimp on nitrogen; this nutrient is crucial for a robust and healthy plant. If you're planting in a backyard or open field, the process can be particularly straightforward.
As your plants grow taller, about two feet, it's time to start training your plants to maximize bud size. Training methods such as low stress training (LST) can significantly increase the yield of your outdoor garden. LST involves pinching or wire tying to encourage more dense growth, resulting in larger, more evenly distributed buds.
Dealing with Hot Weather and Sunlight
Outdoor cannabis plants are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, which can lead to sunburn and nutrient burning issues. It's important to monitor your plants closely during the hot summer months to prevent any damage. Low stress training (LST) is highly recommended as it maximizes yield while reducing the risk of heat stress.
While outdoor growing comes with its challenges, the rewards can be substantial. Gardening resources, such as books by George Cervantes and Ed Rosenthal, and informative videos on YouTube, can provide essential tips and techniques. Be mindful, however, that not all advice may be equally reliable, so consider verifying helpful information across multiple sources.
Conclusion: The Benefits of Growing Your Own Pot
To avoid paying pot taxes, growing your own cannabis means you can control the quality and source of your product. In addition to the financial benefits, growing your own cannabis also allows you to resist government prohibitions and support a shift towards more liberal cannabis policies. Whether you're a seasoned grower or a beginner, outdoor cannabis growing presents a unique and rewarding experience that can enrich your life and finances.