Growing weed outdoors can be an extremely rewarding experience for any gardener. With the right conditions and care, you can cultivate large, high-quality yields in the comfort of your own backyard. However, outdoor cultivation does come with its own unique set of challenges. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully grow outdoor weed from start to finish.
Choosing the Right Strain
One of the most important decisions any grower has to make is choosing the right cannabis strain for their specific needs and environment. With hundreds of strains to pick from, narrowing it down can be a daunting task. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting seeds or clones:
Photoperiod vs Autoflowering
- Photoperiod strains rely on changes in light cycles to initiate flowering. This gives the grower more control over vegetative growth but requires maintaining light schedules. Ideal for warmer climates with longer summers.
- Autoflowering strains automatically switch from vegetative growth to flowering after a certain period of time. Easier to grow but typically produce lower yields. Better suited for cooler climates with shorter summers.
Indica vs Sativa vs Hybrid
- Indica strains tend to grow short and bushy. They mature faster and can tolerate cooler conditions. Best for growing in northern latitudes.
- Sativa strains grow tall and lanky. They require a longer flowering time and thrive in warmer equatorial environments.
- Hybrids combine traits from both indica and sativa. This makes them more versatile for different grow environments.
Yield Potential
- Higher yielding strains produce more buds but require more nutrients and space. Lower yielders are easier to manage but produce less harvestable flower.
- Check strain descriptions for expected height, harvest times, and yield ratings.
Resistance to Pests and Mold
- Important when growing outdoors! Seek out mold resistant strains and ones known for their pest tolerance.
- Northern latitude strains evolved to handle cooler, damp climates. Equatorial strains prefer warm, humid conditions.
Aroma and Potency
- Select strains with appealing terpene profiles and your desired level of THC/CBD.
- Discreet odor strains like Northern Lights work well for subtle backyard grows.
Seed Banks
- Reputable breeders and seed banks thoroughly vet genetics and only sell quality seeds.
- Look for stabilized hybrids bred specifically for outdoor performance.
- Feminized seeds prevent having to cull male plants from the crop.
After considering all these variables, land on a strain or two that best matches your climate, space, and needs as a grower.
Choosing the Right Location
Selecting the optimal outdoor location is critical for maximizing your cannabis yields. Here are the key factors to look for when siting your grow area:
Sunlight
Cannabis plants need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day in the growing season. evaluator potential spots and track sunlight hours. South facing sites get the most sun exposure.
Shelter from Wind
Strong winds can damage plants and cause moisture stress. Look for naturally protected sites like below a wind break tree line. You can also set up temporary wind barriers.
Discretion
Growing discreetly may be a priority, especially in prohibition states. Conceal the garden behind barriers like sheds, trees, or fencing. Avoid areas visible to neighbors or high traffic zones.
Security
Prevent theft by restricting access to the grow site. Fences, gates, and locks help deter intruders. Security cameras provide added monitoring.
Soil Quality
Rich, fertile, well-draining soil gives plants a healthy start. Amend poor soils by mixing in compost or other organic matter before planting. Container growing lets you control the medium.
Access to Water
Cannabis needs regular irrigation during the grow season. Site gardens near a hose bib or within range of irrigation lines. Proximity to rain barrels is also convenient.
Flat Ground
Gently sloping or flat terrain is ideal. This prevents erosion and allows you to easily work the grow space. Steep slopes make access difficult.
Air Circulation
Ample air movement helps strengthen plants and prevent mold issues. Avoid low laying areas where cold air and moisture can get trapped and stagnate.
Selecting the right spot takes some planning but pays off with healthy, robust cannabis plants all season long!
Preparing the Soil
Preparing your soil is one of the most important steps to ensure your plants get a healthy start. Here’s how to get your outdoor grow area primed for planting:
Test Soil Composition
Use a soil testing kit or send a sample to a lab to analyze:
- pH level – Cannabis thrives in slightly acidic soil, around 6.0-7.0 pH.
- Nutrient levels – NPK values indicate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content.
- Toxicity – Test for problematic heavy metals like lead or aluminum.
This provides a blueprint for amending the soil.
Adjust pH
If needed, add soil sulfur or peat moss to lower pH. Lime or wood ash raises pH. Give amendments time to fully integrate. Retest before planting.
Boost Nutrients
Mix in rich compost or well-rotted manure. Alfalfa, kelp, and insect frass also add nutrients. Layer amendments evenly and water them in.
Improve Drainage
Add perlite, vermiculite, pumice, or coconut coir to lighten heavy soils for better drainage. Aeration prevents roots from getting waterlogged.
Increase Microbial Life
Beneficial microbes break down nutrients for plant uptake. Introduce mycorrhizae, beneficial bacteria, and other organic amendments like worm castings.
Remove Debris
Clear any weeds, rocks, roots or other debris that could impede growth. Rake beds smooth to create an even planting surface.
Taking the time to optimize your soil gives your plants the best chance to develop into strong, robust specimens ready to deliver bountiful harvests.
Germinating Seeds
Germinating seeds properly is the first step in getting your outdoor weed grow off to a great start. Here are some tips for maximizing seed germination:
Select Viable Seeds
Check for signs of damage, mold, or deformities when inspecting seeds. Discard any outliers. Pick plump, mature looking seeds most likely to germinate.
Use Germination Media
Gently plant seeds in moist germination mix, rapid rooters, rockwool, or directly into final containers. This gives tender roots an ideal medium to establish in.
Maintain Warmth
Cannabis seeds sprout best around 70-80°F. Keep them in a warm space or use a heat mat. Consistent warmth hastens germination.
Monitor Moisture
Keep seeds moist but not soaked until they sprout. Spray roots daily or cover trays to maintain humidity domes. Drying out can kill sprouts.
Allow Light Exposure
As soon as seeds shed their shells, give them light to stimulate growth. Use T5 or LED grow lights if germinating indoors.
Transplant Early
Gently move sprouted seedlings into larger starter pots once taproots anchor. This prevents root binding and stimulates growth.
With the right germination methods, you can achieve sprout rates over 90% and give your crop a big head start. The effort pays off once your starts begin rapidly growing into mature, flowering plants.
Transplanting Technique
Transplanting seedlings into the ground at the right stage is key to keeping plants healthy and minimize stress. Follow these tips for transplanting success:
Timing
Wait until plants develop 4-6 mature leaves or outgrow starter pots. Transplanting too early or late slows momentum.
Avoid Shock
Prepare transplant holes in advance. Gently remove from pots and immediately place in holes. Keep roots moist at all times.
Dig Wide Holes
Hole diameter should be at least twice the width of the root ball. Loosen surrounding soil to stimulate spread.
Backfill Soil
Mix mycorrhizae into native soil then firmly backfill around the base. Compact to stabilize plants while avoiding air pockets around roots.
Water Immediately
Thoroughly saturate surrounding soil right after transplanting. This removes air pockets and activates root growth.
Use Support
Insert stakes next to stems and loosely tie plants if needed to provide support in windy conditions.
Provide Shade
Protect transplants from direct sun and heat for a few days while they establish roots before removing shade covers.
With proper technique, your plants will transition seamlessly from the nursery to the ground and continue vigorous, uninterrupted growth.
Watering Practices
Consistent watering keeps plants hydrated, aids nutrient absorption, and fuels growth. Here are some best practices for irrigating your outdoor cannabis:
Source Clean Water
Use pH balanced water between 6-7 pH. Tap water containing chlorine should sit out overnight before use. Filtered or rain water is ideal.
Water Early Morning
Watering in the early AM gives plants a full day to dry out, preventing mold issues. Avoid late day watering.
Mind Soil Type
Sandy soils require more frequent watering while clay soils stay wetter longer between waterings. Adjust schedules based on drainage.
Install Drip Irrigation
Drip lines or soaker hoses supply consistent moisture levels without waste. They also water under foliage to avoid molds.
Water at Roots
Aim water directly at the root zone and avoid wetting foliage. Dripping water promotes deep root growth.
Allow Soil to Dry
Let the top few inches of soil dry out between watering to avoid oversaturation. Cannabis roots need oxygen too.
Increase Volume Mid-Flowering
Ramp up watering frequency and volume during the peak flowering phase when plant mass is greatest.
Tuning your watering regimen to your environment’s needs prevents drought stress while also avoiding problems associated with overwatering.
Providing Nutrients
Outdoor plants rely on natural soil nutrients but also benefit from strategic fertilizer applications to achieve maximum yields. Here are organic and bottled nutrient options:
Compost and Manure Teas
Steep compost or manure in water to create nutrient teas. Strain out solids before applying the mineral rich liquid around plants.
Worm Castings
Mix worm castings into soil or create castings tea by steeping in water before spraying plants. The microbe boost also reduces pests.
Fish Emulsion
Fish emulsion fertilizers provide a quick nitrogen boost. alternate with kelp extract for potassium and micronutrients.
Bat Guano
Dry bat guano can be mixed into soil before planting. It provides phosphorus, nitrogen, and beneficial microbes.
Bottled Organic Nutrients
Lines like FoxFarm, Dr. Earth, Roots organic make organic fertilizers to support the full plant lifecycle. Follow label instructions.
Foliar Feeding
Liquid kelp, amino acids, and other amendments sprayed directly on leaves quickly address nutrient deficiencies.
By leveraging natural and bottled options, you can fine tune nutrition levels to keep plants optimally fed from seedlings to full flowering plants.
Training and Pruning
Training and pruning techniques like topping maximize yields by encouraging bushy growth patterns with more bud sites. Here are some approaches:
Topping
Removing the main apical stem tip triggers lateral branching. Top plants when they reach 1-2 feet tall.
Low-Stress Training (LST)
Use ties to gently bend branches, opening the plant to increase light exposure and stimulate additional colas.
Supercropping
Gently bending and twisting thicker stems disrupts nutrients flow, triggering more vigorous bushy growth once released.
Leaf Pruning
Removing large fan leaves provides airflow and light penetration into the canopy. Focus lower leaves first.
Defoliation
Selectively removing leaves and small shoots late in flowering shifts energy to the flower sites. Stagger over multiple sessions.
Lollipopping
Cut away undergrowth and secondary side shoots so all energy feeds the main flower-producing branches.
Start training early and remain consistent. A manicured, truncated plant form makes the most of available sunlight.
Pest Management
Vigilance is required to keep outdoor cannabis free of infestations that can quickly decimate unprotected plants. Maintaining defenses is key:
Choose Resistant Strains
Some strains have natural pest resistance based on terpenes or origin. African sativas, for example, deter spider mites.
Release Beneficial Insects
Predatory mites, ladybugs, green lacewings and other beneficials prey on harmful garden pests.
Use Row Covers
Breathable fabric row covers create protective barriers against flying insects looking to lay eggs on plants.
Apply Neem Oil
Neem oil smothers soft-bodied insects and interrupts reproductive cycles. Coat all plant surfaces to repel pests.
Remove Infested Growth
Prune away badly infested leaves and stems to prevent spread. Dispose of debris offsite.
Maintain Garden Hygiene
Pull weeds, clear dropped leaves, and remove garden debris that harbor populations. Tidy areas support fewer pests.
Act Quickly
Inspect regularly and immediately treat any emerging infestations before they get established and spread.
With constant vigilance and integrated organic pest control tactics, your cannabis can stay pest-free from seed to harvest.
Flowering Stage Care
As plants transition into the flowering stage, their needs change. Follow these tips for supporting outdoor plants through successful flowering:
Monitor Trichomes
Inspect trichomes regularly using a loupe or pocket microscope. Harvest when most trichome heads turn milky white with some amber.
Control Height
Bending, staking or trellising prevents tall strains from falling over. Keep foliage off the ground to reduce mold risk.
Boost Flowering Nutrients
Use bloom boosters that provide extra phosphorus and potassium, which drive bud development. Ease off nitrogen.
Protect from Rain
Heavy rain can damage ripening buds. Cover plants during storms or bend branches inverted to allow water runoff.
Watch for Bud Rot
Immediately remove infected buds showing brown discoloration. Improve airflow to deter future mold outbreaks.
Deter Pests
Defend ripening colas from caterpillars, grasshoppers, bud worms and other insects that feed on flowers. Stay vigilant.
Prepare Drying Area
As harvest approaches, have your drying and curing space cleaned, darkened, and equipped with drying racks.
Close monitoring enables you to steer plants through the flowering stretch and finalize bud development until dense, trichome covered nuggets are ready for harvest.
Harvesting Plants
After months of cultivation, the rewarding payoff of harvest finally arrives. Here are some tips for harvesting your outdoor cannabis at peak ripeness:
Time it Right
Use a loupe to monitor trichomes daily as plants near maturity. Harvest when trichomes are cloudy with some amber for peak potency.
Cut Whole Plants
Wrap stalks in burlap when wet to absorb impact. Carry whole plants directly to the drying area to retain maximum terpenes.
Dry Trim
If drying indoors, leave sugar leaves on during drying then trim. The slower dry preserves aroma and flavor better than wet trimming.
Slow Cure
Dry over 7-14 days at 60°F and 60% humidity until stems snap. Cure in glass jars, opening to air out periodically for a month.
Manage Bulk
Harvest in stages rather than all at once if dealing with large quantities. This prevents overloading your drying space.
Clean Garden
After final harvest, clear all remaining roots and plant debris from the garden. Remove weed seeds and diseased material.
Record Data
Note issues that arose and successes to help plan next year’s grow. Compare strain yields and potency.
With selective harvesting and proper post-harvest techniques, you can retain the full spectrum of terpenes and flavors that make garden grown cannabis so enjoyable.
Common Outdoor Growing Challenges
While rewarding, outdoor cannabis cultivation does come with unique challenges. Being prepared to tackle potential issues will help you react quickly and effectively:
Pest Pressure
Outdoor plants face constant insect threats. Monitor for bugs like mites, aphids, or caterpillars and have organic treatments ready.
Environmental Stress
Weather fluctuations including intense heat, heavy rain, and wind can stress plants. Use shelters or move potted plants to optimize conditions.
Powdery Mildew
The fungal disease thrives in cool, damp, shaded areas. Improve airflow and leaf pruning to reduce its foothold.
Bud Rot
Late season moisture gets trapped in dense flowers, causing bud rot. Cover plants to protect from rain and remove infected material immediately.
Airborne Contaminants
Nearby ground cover, trees and crops can introduce dust, soot or chemicals that coat plants. Use screens or tarps as barrier.
Odors
Smells from ripening plants may draw undesired attention. Use odor masking techniques like air filters, negative ion generators, or scent masking plants.
Security Issues
Remote gardens are targets for thieves and intruders. Use fencing, security lighting and cameras to deter potential issues.
Remaining alert and quickly responding to any problems before they escalate is key to keeping your outdoor grow on track for success.
Getting the Most from Your Outdoor Grow
Here are some final tips to implement over the course of the season that will help maximize the yield and quality of your outdoor cannabis harvest:
- Conduct frequent garden maintenance like weeding and pruning to direct all energy toward bud production.
- Use smart training techniques like low-stress training (LST