If you’re looking to start growing your own weed outdoors, it can be a bit difficult to know where to begin. With all of the information out there, we want to help you sift through the extra stuff and provide you with a quick 101 guide to growing your own weed outdoors. While it may seem like a complicated process at first glance, the truth remains that all you really need is a little sun, a little water, and a lot of patience and care. 

Just like with growing any plants outdoors, depending on where you live also dictates the growing process. But if you have a sunny spot in your private yard, or even on your balcony, terrace, or rooftop, odds are good that even you can grow some cannabis yourself. 

Before embarking on this new journey, take a moment to review the benefits of growing, as well as some beginners’ tips and tricks to help make the process smoother and more enjoyable. 

Benefits of Growing Weed Outdoors

While you can always buy your own weed, of course, there are certainly some benefits to growing outdoors. Check them out below!

Affordable Start-Up: If you have ever tried to grow weed indoors, you know that it can be very expensive. You need all of the proper equipment, including the correct lights, AC units, dehumidifiers… and well, it adds up quickly and can certainly take a toll on your wallet. However, when growing outdoors, you will just need some soil, fertilizer, seeds or clones, and maybe even a small greenhouse just to get the plants started.

Better Yields: When you grow indoors, you are limited to how much weed you can yield. However, the sky can be the limit with outdoor plants! As long as they’re still manageable, you can let them get as big or as tall as you’d like. Just one plant can potentially produce between a half-pound and full-pound of dried weed. It will be more than worth your time and investment.

Good for the Environment: Growing indoors has a time and a place, but overall, it can be considered a bit wasteful. All of those lights, dehumidifiers, and fans use up a lot of energy and electricity. When growing outdoors, the biggest elements you need – the sun, wind, and rain – are all free! 

Mental Health Boost: Gardening can be very relaxing. It can serve as a great way to unplug from our electronics and connect with the earth with ample opportunity for fresh air and plenty of sunshine. This is sure to give you a boost of serotonin! Plus, there is nothing like the pride that comes with enjoying something you grew with your own two hands!

How to Set Up Your Outdoor Space

Before you begin, keep the following important considerations in mind.

Local Climate: Prior to beginning, the first thing that you need to be aware of is the climate in your area. While cannabis is highly adaptable and can thrive in various conditions, it is still quite susceptible to extreme weather.

When the sustained temperatures reach above 85°F, cannabis plants will stop growing. On the other hand, when sustained temperatures reach below 55°F, it can be harmful and can even stunt the plants to the point of death.

Heavy rains and high winds can also reduce the quality of yields or cause physical damage to plants. During the flowering stage, excessive moisture can lead to mold or mildew. 

Location, Location, Location: After you have an idea of the climate in your area, it’s time to pick the perfect spot! There are a few tips you should consider.

• Sunlight: In order to thrive and grow correctly, weed needs full, direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. Initially, your backyard might seem like a good spot, but if it doesn’t achieve this amount of sunlight, then it may not be the most ideal choice after all. The best sun is achieved during midday, as that is where it has the best quality for nourishing plants. As fall approaches and the days get shorter, it will trigger the flowering stage.

•  Wind: While having a constant breeze is good for your plants, especially in areas of hotter climates, too much wind can be damaging. If you are in a particularly windy spot, consider planting your cannabis near a windbreak of some sort, such as a wall, fence, or large shrubbery.

• Privacy & Security: Unfortunately, when growing cannabis, there is always a concern for privacy and security. Whether that is from nosy neighbors or potential thieves, you want to protect your assets. Unless you live in a more secluded area, you can opt for tall fences or large trees or shrubs. Remember, most state laws require that cannabis plants be concealed from view from the street.

The Right Dirt: The soil that you use for growing is extremely important, as it is literally the area in which the plant will spend most of its life. Most outdoor weed growers will do one of two options: they will plant directly into the earth and then add fresh soil, or they will use a pot or planter. 

If you go the first route and plant directly into the ground using pre-existing soil, you might consider getting a soil test first. These are usually very affordable and can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. A simple soil test will tell you the makeup and pH of your soil, if there are any contaminants present, and what sort of materials or fertilizers would work well with your soil. 

When planting in a pot or planter, you can curate your growing experience a little better by choosing the potting soil in advance. This will also help make it easier to move the plant should you need to get it out of extreme elements, such as a thunderstorm or cold snap. 

Visit Your Local Dispensary 

If you have more questions, pop by and visit your local weed dispensary in Santa Ana. Our team here at From The Earth is ready to assist you by answering questions and providing insight on any concerns that you might have. We want to cultivate an environment that is welcoming and friendly. By doing so, we can offer top-of-the-line, personalized customer service.