Growing cannabis outdoors can be a rewarding experience. With the right care and timing, you can produce abundant, high-quality buds. One of the most important decisions in outdoor cannabis cultivation is knowing the optimal time to harvest. Here is a comprehensive guide on when and how to harvest cannabis grown outdoors.
Overview of the Outdoor Cannabis Growth Cycle
The growth cycle of cannabis planted outdoors generally follows these phases:
- Seedling – After germinating, the first leaves sprout and the root system establishes. This stage lasts 1-4 weeks.
- Vegetative – The plant focuses energy on growth, increasing in size rapidly. This stage can last 2-8 weeks outdoors.
- Flowering – In response to light cycle changes, the plant shifts energy to bud production. Flowers start forming and trichomes develop. Outdoors, this usually lasts 6-15 weeks depending on genetics and climate.
- Ripening – Flowers bulk up, trichomes turn milky white and start ambering. THC potency reaches its peak during this final phase. Duration is 1-3 weeks.
- Harvest – Buds are cut, dried, cured and ready for consumption. Timing depends on the desired effects and calculated by trichome development.
The flowering and ripening phases are most relevant for determining optimal harvest time. When and how long they last depend on the strain’s genetics and your local growing conditions.
Trichome Development
The most reliable way to assess cannabis ripeness is by examining trichomes through a jeweler’s loupe or pocket microscope. Trichomes are the resin glands that contain cannabinoids like THC and terpenes that give cannabis its aromas and flavors.
There are three key stages of trichome development:
- Clear – Trichomes are fully formed but not producing cannabinoids yet. THC levels are low.
- Cloudy – Trichomes turn milky. THC levels peak during this phase.
- Amber – Trichomes begin degrading and turn amber or gold. THC starts converting to CBN, resulting in more body effects.
For the highest levels of THC, harvest when most trichomes are cloudy with some amber starting to show. If you prefer more relaxing, anti-anxiety effects, harvest when trichomes are around 30% amber.
Other Ripeness Indicators
Examining trichomes is the best way to determine optimal harvest time, but other visual cues can provide supporting information:
- Pistils – The little hairs sprouting from buds typically start white and turn reddish-brown as plants mature. About 70% turned brown means harvest time is nearing.
- Bud size – Buds bulk up rapidly at the end of flowering. Harvest once you’ve seen buds swell for 1-2 weeks.
- Calyx swelling – Calyxes are the green pods hiding within the buds. They should look plump and full when ripe.
- Leaves – Fan leaves will yellow and wither. Sugar leaves may fade in color or curl at the tips. About 10-20% faded leaves signals imminent harvest time.
- Bud firmness – Buds should feel solid and dense vs. spongy or airy when squeezed gently between fingers.
- Aroma – Terpene profiles strengthen rapidly near harvest. Buds smell skunky, citrusy, piney or fuel-like when ripe.
Use a multi-point inspection of trichomes, pistils, leaves, calyxes, aroma, etc. to determine the best harvest window. Never rely on just one factor.
Ideal Harvest Time Outdoors
Outdoor cannabis plants typically reach full maturity and peak ripeness in mid to late September or October. But harvest timing depends on:
- Strain genetics – Early finishing sativas can be ready by late August. Late flowering indica-dominant strains may need until mid-October.
- Light cycles – Plants start flowering when daylight falls below 12-14 hours. Outdoor flowering typically begins in July or August.
- Regional climate – Cooler northern regions have earlier light cycle changes so cannabis matures sooner than warmer southern climates.
- Weather – An unseasonably warm fall can delay maturity while an early cold snap accelerates it.
- Planting date – Crops from late spring or early summer starts take longer to mature than April/May plantings.
Your region’s seasonal variations in temperature, rainfall, humidity and daylight hours all impact how quickly cannabis ripens. Keep detailed grow notes each season to refine your ideal harvest windows.
How to Harvest Cannabis Plants Outdoors
When trichome inspection and other checks indicate peak maturity, it’s time to harvest. Follow these steps for harvesting outdoor cannabis:
1. Stop Feeding
About 1-2 weeks before planned harvest, cease all fertilization. This pushes the plant to use up stored nutrients in a final growth flush for clean, smooth burning buds.
2. Prune Fan Leaves
Remove large fan leaves 2-3 days prior to harvest. This improves air circulation and light exposure to lower buds for more even ripening.
3. Harvest at Dawn
Cut plants right before sunrise for highest moisture and terpene content. Avoid harvesting wet buds during or after rain.
4. Cut Whole Plants
Use pruners to cut each plant at the base of the stem. Leave 3-6 inches of stem attached for easy hanging.
5. Hang Plants to Dry
Hang freshly harvested plants or branches upside down in a dark, dry, cool space with ventilation and moderate humidity around 50-60% RH.
6. Dry and Cure
After 5-14 days of drying, trimmed buds should feel slightly crispy on the outside but still moist inside. Transfer to sealed jars and cure for 4-8 weeks to finish.
Proper drying and curing are just as vital as harvesting at peak ripeness for high quality buds. Always inspect trichomes again after drying before jarring to confirm ideal harvest timing.
FAQ
What’s the easiest way to check trichomes?
Use a pocket microscope or jeweler’s loupe for 30x-60x magnification. Examine trichomes on buds, not just sugar leaves. View multiple areas to account for ripeness inconsistencies.
Can you harvest early or late and still get good weed?
Harvest too early and buds will lack potency, flavor and smoothness. Harvest late and you risk buds smelling grassy, acting too sedative, or losing THC as it degrades. Time it for peak ripeness.
What causes buds to be airy/loose instead of dense at harvest?
Genetics primarily control density. But excess heat, drought stress, overfeeding, and harvesting before full maturity can all cause airy buds. Stabilize conditions and wait for ripeness.
Why do trichomes turn amber at the end of flowering?
As THC potency peaks, it begins degrading into CBN over time which provides more body effects. Some amber trichomes ensure some CBN alongside high THC.
How does weather and climate affect outdoor harvest time?
Cooler temperatures and earlier frost pushes harvest sooner. Excess heat, drought, or humidity can delay maturity. Know your local conditions and strain behaviors.
Conclusion
Determining the perfect harvest window for outdoor cannabis plants requires careful attention and experience. Follow these best practices for being successful:
- Monitor trichomes using a jeweler’s loupe as buds ripen weekly in late flowering.
- Time harvest based on your desired high – milky trichomes for uplifting cerebral effects or up to 30% amber for heavier body effects.
- Use multiple indicators like pistils, leaves, aroma, etc. to confirm optimal harvest timing.
- Learn your local climate patterns and strain genetics to refine your ideal harvest dates.
- Harvest in the early morning after the dew dries but before the day warms.
- Prevent airy buds through proper cultivation techniques and harvesting at peak maturity.
- Dry in darkness under proper temperature, humidity and air flow.
Following the tips in this guide will help you harvest your outdoor cannabis at just the right time to produce the highest quality and most abundant buds possible.