A BEGINNERS GUIDE ON HOW TO GROW CANNABIS OUTDOORS 

Many people who live in states that have legalized Marijuana always feel the urge to produce their cannabis plants, which can be quite challenging for a beginner. Growing it is a rewarding experience, but it requires energy, time, and resources.

However, with the right guide, quality cannabis seeds from Homegrown Cannabis Company, and suitable soil, you will be more than willing to go all the way. Here is the ultimate guide for growing cannabis outdoors.

Understand the climate.

Before you set out to grow cannabis, you need to understand the climate patterns in your area because as much as weed can adapt to different climates, extreme weather temperatures can negatively impact it. For instance, over 86degrees, Fareinheit can stop its growth while below 55degrees Fahrenheit can cause stunted growth or even damage. Excess moisture can cause powdery mildew and molds during the flowering stage, while strong winds can physically damage the plants resulting in fewer yields. 

Also, consider the amount of sunlight all through the year as it is vital when the plants begin to flip from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage where they start budding.

You can ask an experienced gardener who grows flowers and vegetables in your locality to understand the climate patterns in that area. Such information can apply to the growth of cannabis.

Select a suitable spot for growing.

First of all, find a spot that experiences at least 5-6hours of sunlight a day. An area that experiences direct sunlight in the better part of the day and indirect sunlight in the evening is highly suitable. A continuous breeze is an added advantage, but it will increase water consumption.

Additionally, build a wind barrier to ensure you get the maximum yield if the are has excessive winds. It is also advisable that you grow your cannabis in a shielded or private area for protection from thieves and judgemental people. You can invest in wire cages as well to protect it from animals.

Cannabis plants can grow from 6feet tall up to over 12feet, so plan for that.

Choose cannabis genetics.

If you want to grow cannabis successfully, choose the right strain depending on your climate. You have an added advantage if your location has a history of growing cannabis as chances are, many strains can successfully grow there.

Growing your cannabis plants from feminized weed seeds is advantageous as they turn out to be healthy plants in contrast to growing from clones. Autoflowering weed seeds are also recommendable as they flower upon maturity regardless of what time of the season it is. The critical thing is to choose a quickly growing plant or fit several harvests into a single year with the auto-flowering type.

Choose the best soil.

If you are planting your cannabis directly into the ground, you need to know the soil's composition and amend it accordingly. Cannabis thrives in soil with a lot of organic matter and excellent drainage.

Loam soil is suitable as it has good drainage, nutrient retention, and it is fertile, so you won't need to improve it. If you are dealing with clay soil, it drains very slowly. It is deficient in holding oxygen, so amend that by adding a lot of compost, manure, organic matter to improve aeration and drainage. On the other hand, sandy soil drains well and is easy to work with but has low nutrient retention. You can mulch to enhance water retention and add compost to increase nutrient retention.

The best thing is to get the soil tested, which will determine its composition and PH, the contaminants, and recommend the right fertilizers.

You can use containers.

You can also plant your cannabis in containers, which is easier because you will incorporate the best soil. Place the containers on rooftops, patios, or decks and move them around during the day to ensure they get maximum sunlight.

Ensure you use big containers because the boxes' size will restrict the size of your cannabis plants.

Use organic fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers such as compost, worm castings, kelp meal, fish meal, blood meal, are more recommendable than commercial fertilizers. Add it to the soil before you plant the cannabis and all through the growth cycle. Avoid commercial fertilizers as they can impact on the flavor and aroma of the end product.

Ensure you adequately water the cannabis plants.

Even though you are growing your cannabis plants outdoors where they will utilize groundwater and, at times, rainwater, you need to ensure the watering is sufficient. In the hot summer weather, big cannabis plants can use up to 10liters of water a day. If the location is extremely rainy, you need to take the necessary measures to improve your soil drainage, such as adding pebbles or gravel, signing ditches to direct excess water away, and raising the soil beds. Remember that cannabis roots are prone to fungal infections if they become waterlogged.

It is also crucial that you test the water you are using for watering your cannabis plants as it may contain minerals that could negatively impact the plants.

Protect your cannabis plants.

Unlike indoor cannabis, outdoor cannabis is susceptible to many attacks such as pests, animals, excessive winds, storms, and extreme weather changes that can destroy or kill the plants. If your location's temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, invest in a greenhouse or any other suitable enclosure. An enclosure also comes applicable in areas with weighty rains that the child damages the plants. Build windbreakers if the location has strong winds, as that may lead to reduced harvests.

To protect your cannabis plants from animals, you need to build a sturdy fence and incorporate wire meshes to keep small animals at bay. Pests are another nuisance you have to take care of. First of all, grow cannabis away from vegetables and flowers to avoid the risk of pests problems spreading between them. Secondly, healthy cannabis plants naturally repel pests. Thirdly, use organic pesticides to keep the pests away if it is a must and keep an eye on the plants so that you discover a pest infestation early enough.

Harvesting

Your cannabis plants can take two to eight months to mature depending on the strain and will be ready for harvests when the pistils turn color from white to reddish-brown or when you see a brown resin on the buds. From there, reap your benefits, repeat the process, and enjoy growing cannabis.