If you’re growing marijuana outdoors, the ideal time and date for planting will depend on state and local laws; however, here are a few general rules you should abide by to produce high-quality buds. First, decide between planting seeds or clones and invest a bit extra in purchasing top genetics (see our earlier article for help selecting the ideal strain). Wait until the weather in your region supports annual vegetables or flowers before planting your cannabis seeds or clones outdoors. Also ensure they are completely dry before transplanting them to an outdoor garden space. Maintaining ideal conditions is critical in preventing disease spread and making sure that your plants get off to a strong start, without any moldy roots or rotted stems. One effective method for testing appropriate dryness levels is bending stems below flowers – if they snap, but not cleanly, that indicates too much moisture still needs to evaporate off before drying can take place.
When choosing when and how to plant cannabis, take into account what size plants you wish for at harvest time. If you’re after short and compact bushes, germinate seeds in March/April so your plants have enough time for vegetative development before beginning flowering in early May.
If you prefer large yield plants, start germinating seeds in late April or May and allow your plants to mature before flowering begins in mid to late July – giving your crops enough time to flourish before being ready for harvest in autumn when temperatures cool off.
Consider how much sunlight there is where you live when making the decision when and where to plant marijuana, since light plays an essential part in their growth and final size. Scout out a sunny location before digging holes. If the soil contains too much clay or sand, amend it with plenty of organic matter such as compost to improve airflow and retain water more efficiently.
If you plan to use a drip irrigation system, choose an area with plenty of sunlight but isn’t too windy. Too much wind can cause plants to spin around in circles and damage buds while not giving enough sunshine for flowers to fully bloom.
Once your marijuana plants are planted, they’ll require constant access to water and nutrients throughout their entire lifespan. A quality potting mix formulated specifically for cannabis should include important ingredients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; during their vegetative phase they require high amounts of nitrogen-rich fertilizers (marketed as “grow” formula); during flowering they require reduced levels of nitrogen with more phosphorus and potassium (“bloom” formula). Instead of purchasing blue powdered fertilizers found at big box stores or online vendors, visit a quality indoor grow shop that offers products specifically tailored for cannabis plants!