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While most will look to their garden as a space to grow vegetables and flowers, it is often overlooked when it comes to growing cannabis. With many citing discretion and ease as their main inspirations, in this article, we take a look at how to make the most of your weed garden.
There are many advantages to growing your own crop of cannabis in the comfort of your own backyard. Not only will you have instant access to your plants anytime you want, you will also get to have that sense of pride in choosing your cannabis seeds, growing your own strain and sharing it with your cannabis-loving peers.
The process of doing so, however, is not a walk in the park. Especially if you do not have a green thumb, this growing method can be tedious and involve a lot of moving parts. But fret not, because here are some tips on cultivating your own cannabis crop in your own garden.
THE CASE FOR GROWING CANNABIS IN YOUR GARDEN
Given the existence of autoflowering seeds, growing cannabis has become a lot more simplified. Many who choose to grow indoors take advantage of autoflowers, growing them in confined spaces such as spare rooms and closets.
But of course, it is a lot different to cultivate the magic herb outdoors. The biggest takeaway from growing outside of your home is that the sun’s natural light is superior compared to any grow light you can find on the market. Being one with nature as you harvest your crops can bring extreme satisfaction as you watch your plants grow from seed to maturity.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
The one major advantage of outdoor growing in a garden is that it is the more cost-efficient option. All you will require is healthy soil, nutrients, containers, water, a pair of trimming scissors, and you’re pretty much good to go. You will not be needing the elaborate equipment required for an indoor setup, which could cost around €1,000 or more.
Less maintenance is another advantage of growing outside. You will be able to nourish your plants and use your foliar sprays without worrying about the excess mist hitting your expensive bulbs. Drainage of excess water will not be an issue either.
However, it is also important to consider the disadvantages of outdoor growing, and the biggest one is nature itself. Depending on the climate of the region you live in, you will have to deal with the rise and fall of the temperatures, as well as the wet and dry seasons. Too much heat and humidity can harm your buds, while too much rain may cause rotting. Pests are also more of a problem here.
Another thing to worry about is the location of your plant. Planting them in a poorly-chosen area may attract the attention of neighbors, and this could be cause for unnecessary headaches and hassles, especially if you reside in a place where using and cultivating marijuana is illegal.
TIPS FOR GARDEN GROWERS
To prevent problems from arising, you must carefully plan out your strategy before diving right into it. The first step would be to thoroughly scan through your backyard for the perfect spot for your plants. Ideally, it should be near trees that can help provide shade from direct sunlight, while offering camouflage from prying neighbors. At the same time, you don't want to position your plants in an area where they won’t get enough sun. Cannabis plants need lots of light to grow and mature their buds.
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EXTRA SECURITY
Some individuals even mount security cameras on their porch or patio to keep an eye on the goings-on. Marijuana plants can be more susceptible to negative attention compared to your other crops for obvious reasons, so you may want to know what’s going on while you’re not outside. This is more of a drastic and costly measure, however.
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COMPANION PLANTING
You should also consider the idea of companion planting. This involves placing other plants next to your bud that obscure them from view, support their growth, and cover up the skunky smell with equally aromatic scents. Companion plants are known for helping keep “bad” pests away from your precious crop, and improving soil conditions through nutrient promotion and aeration.
One good companion plant is basil, which emanates pungent scents that keep pests such as aphids, flies, and beetles away. It is also said to possibly increase oil production in cannabis plants, thus adding greater complexity to their flavour.
Another good companion plant for cannabis is garlic, mainly because it can also act as a natural fungicide that protects your buds from pathogens. You can either plant it near your cannabis plants, or spray a garlic solution on them as a topical treatment. Just make sure not to use foliar sprays during flowering as it can flavour the buds in a way that is not ideal.
For your privacy concerns, you can use peppermint as companion plants. The strong odour it emits not only drives away the usual garden pests, it can also help in masking the dankness of maturing buds. But since mint plants can get a little too invasive, it would be best to plant them in pots rather than directly into the soil next to your weed. In terms of shielding your crop from view, sunflowers are another great consideration. Not only do these tall specimens block your weed, they also attract beneficial insects for cannabis.
GIVE GARDEN GROWING A GO!
For those living in places where temperatures tend to dramatically drop, growing indoors might be the more convenient way of cultivation. But if you live in a place where the climate allows for a few solid months of hot summer temperatures, take advantage of growing your crops outdoors. Not only will it save you money, but being immersed in nature and seeing your buds grow right before your very eyes will definitely be a truly fulfilling experience.
