It’s high time we talked about how to grow weed in your garden now that weed is well on its way to becoming legal.
Despite federal prohibition, 30 states have now legalized cannabis to varying degrees. There is currently legislation on the table to decriminalize weed for recreational use in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, and Massachusetts. Pardon the punThe time has come for us to talk about growing the stuff.
It’s easiest to do it outside, the old-fashioned way. In many locales, the trend for indoor cultivation stems from two reasons: one, the desire to hide what you’re doing (which is no longer necessary); and two, the desire to control the growing environment to produce the most valuable buds. If your only goal is to have some decent weed around every now and then, then you might as well plant it alongside your zucchini and basil.
The process of growing a successful cannabis crop is slightly more complex than growing your average vegetable. Here are some horticultural tips that you should know.
Various Types
In response to the growing demand for legal plant material, many mail-order firms have emerged. There are literally thousands of varieties, each with their own trippy description. You can choose between breeds that give you a cerebral high and don’t have a skunky citrus taste. In addition, you can choose breeds that are suitable for anxiety, low in THC, and don’t grow taller than 3 feet.
It is important to purchase seeds of varieties suited to outdoor growing conditions rather than varieties bred for indoor growing. You can find this information in the varietal listings of any reputable supplier. Visit https://marijuanaseedsforsale.com/ for wide selections of seeds. In addition to mold-resistant varieties, those with short flowering periods would make wise choices in humid regions (this is similar to days to maturity on vegetable seed packets).
How Male And Female Plants Differ
Many species of plants produce male and female flowers on separate plants, including cannabis. Plants with female flowers produce fat “buds” rich in psychoactive compounds, while the male plants yield small, spindly flowers unfit for smoking (or however you choose to consume).
Typically, half of the plants you plant are male, and half are female. As male pollen results in female buds that are full of seeds, it is imperative to remove them before the plants begin to flower. Cannabis seedlings can be determined by their sex – instructions can be found here – and males can be culled.
However, it can be even easier! Let’s see how. If you are a novice cannabis gardener, look for varieties labeled “feminized.” These are seeds that have been bred to produce only female plants.
Clones, which are rooted cuttings of female plants, are another option. A vegetable seedling is essentially the same thing as seedlings, except you save time and effort by not having to wait for them to germinate or find out if the male is present.
How To Plant Seeds
If you soak weed seeds in water for a few days before planting, they’ll germinate faster. In the spring, you’re better off starting the seed indoors in a sunny window, then transplanting the seedlings outside once all danger of frost is past.
Conditions For Growing
Cannabis plants need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day and excellent drainage in order to grow well. As an alternative to raised beds, you can use a five-gallon pot filled with potting soil (hard to resist the pun!). If you want to prevent fungal diseases, space your plants at least six feet apart (closer is okay for dwarf varieties) so that they don’t eventually resemble a dense hedge.
Plan to enrich the beds with composted manure at least one month before planting, if not the previous fall. Cannabis plants love nutrients. Work at least 2 inches of compost into the soil around the planting area. Fertilizer is a better choice than compost if you are planting in pots.
Taking Care Of Your Plants
You must irrigate when the surface of the soil becomes dry when growing this crop. By adding mulch to your weed planting once the plants reach knee high, you can reduce soil evaporation and keep other “weeds” away.
Even if you have rich soil and abundant moisture, fertilizer may not be necessary, though it will result in better results (potted plants need fertilizer). In the spring/summer, use high-nitrogen fertilizers every three weeks to stimulate vigorous vegetative growth. Next, switch to a phosphorus-rich one to stimulate dense and abundant blooms.
