Essential Guide to Growing Ganja Outdoors: Best Practices for Success

Ganja, weed, cannabis, marijuana – whatever you prefer to call it, it all comes from one plant: Cannabis sativa. While you can grow cannabis plants in your closet, tent, or spare room, sun-grown cannabis can sometimes be the cream of the crop when it’s allowed to thrive in its natural environment. Outdoor cannabis plants thrive in the sunlight, fresh air, and native soils when grown in the proper environment.

Whether growing in an apartment, backyard, on a balcony, or in your garden, growing cannabis outdoors can be not only rewarding but also cost-effective. Getting your hands on your cannabis plants can leave you with a bountiful stash of cannabis flower.

From starting your setup to harvesting your cannabis plant, let’s get into how to grow a ganja plant outdoors.

Outdoor cannabis plants harness the power of natural sunlight, air, and the earth’s microbiome. This can often mean your cannabis plant will have more bud production and a richer terpene profile. Plus, it costs way less than indoor cultivation. You don’t need to buy grow lights, so no over-the-top electric bills. This guide helps lay out the basic differences between indoor and outdoor cultivation.

Growing marijuana outdoors is also more sustainable than indoor cultivation. However, it can be challenging, as you have to plan around the different seasons in your area, protect against pests, and be ready to get dirty. Greenhouses can be a middle ground, offering more environmental control but still requiring some upkeep.

Choosing between indoor, outdoor, or greenhouse comes down to what you want to achieve, your location, and the resources available.

We’re here to provide you with a true step-by-step process on how to grow cannabis outdoors.

Let’s start with the foundation: your cannabis seeds.

Cannabis seeds can create male or female cannabis plants, unless they are specified as being feminized seeds. Autoflower seeds are typically feminized and can be ideal for beginners. Autoflower cannabis plants flower on their own schedule, regardless of the light cycles. This makes it easy to grow autoflower cannabis plants at any time of the year. Autoflower plants are typically ready to harvest between 8 and 10 weeks.

On the other hand, feminized seeds will only produce female cannabis plants. Feminized seeds are an excellent choice for those who save time and avoid male plants. With feminized seeds, you may have to wait longer to flower; they produce larger yields than autoflowers.

Regular cannabis seeds are best for growers looking to create new genetics through cross-pollination, as they can produce male plants. If you are growing with regular cannabis seeds, you’ll have to keep an eye out for any male sacs on the plants and remove them when found. Doing this prevents the plant from pollinating any female cannabis plants in the same area.

Still need help deciding between autoflower, feminized, or just plain ol’ cannabis seeds? Check out our handy guide to autoflower seeds or a list of top–tier feminized seeds.

For cannabis cultivation outdoors, look for mold-resistant and climate-adapted strains. For example, strains with stronger mold and mildew resistance are ideal if you live in a humid area. Try researching what type of strain grows best in your climate, as different strains will have different results.

If growing cannabis in a raised garden bed, start by clearing any debris like rocks and weeds from your space. Raised garden beds may provide better soil drainage than pots. However, planting in pots makes moving your space around a breeze.

Make sure your space has good light exposure. Cannabis plants need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight per day. If you live in an area with strong winds, you can protect your cannabis plants from wind damage by putting up support stakes or other barriers. While cannabis plants need good airflow to limit the risk of mold, too much wind can damage your plants.

Pests, like spider mites and aphids are common and can impact your plant’s health. To limit pests in your garden, adding companion plants can be a colorful and helpful addition. Flowers like marigolds or herbs like basil and mint can help repel bugs. Using other materials like chicken wire around your garden can help keep out bigger predators like foxes or rabbits, who might come munching on your plants.

Nutrient-rich and well-draining soil is your best friend when growing cannabis outdoors. Cannabis plants love slightly acidic soil, so testing your soil is one of the first steps. Add a calcium and magnesium carbonate mixture called Dolomite if your soil is too acidic. On the other hand, if your soil is too low in acidity, you can add things like sulfur, compost, or mulch.

Next, add some perlite, pumice, or coco coir (no more than 30% of the soil blend). This can help improve soil drainage and prevent the soil from becoming too compacted.

To help establish beneficial soil microbes, add nutrients like worm castings, bat guano, or fish emulsion at least 2 weeks before planting. Avoid planting in very dense or clay-like soil. If you can’t grow in your native soil, the best alternative is to use raised garden beds or pots.

You should start germinating your seeds roughly 2 to 4 weeks before the last freeze in your area. Germinating your seeds can be done indoors using the paper towel method. Take a damp paper towel and place the seed in the middle. Then fold the paper towel over the seed, putting it in a cool, dark area for three to ten days. It’s important to ensure the seeds are kept moist the entire time.

After germinating your seeds, you can carefully place them roughly half an inch below the soil surface into a solo cup. These seedlings can be slightly watered and placed outside to continue growing.

Once your plant begins to sprout leaves and roots, it’s time to transplant it into your outdoor space. It’s recommended that you wait until your plant has at least three levels of fan leaves developed before transplanting it.

Carefully remove the seedling from the container. The root ball should be placed in the soil as deep as it is tall, leaving enough room to add more soil. Treat your seedlings with care to avoid root ball damage and transplant shock. After transplanting, water your cannabis plants to help the soil settle and the roots get established.

An important step in the process is watering your cannabis plants as needed. How much you water will depend on a few factors: climate, soil type, and plant genetics. Some dry climates may require you to water once daily, while others require little to no watering.

The type of soil you’re using also affects watering needs. Dense, clay-like soil holds moisture longer and can easily lead to overwatering if you’re not careful. Always let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again to help prevent root rot and other damage.

Some plant genetics are hardier than others, requiring less water overall. Pay attention to signs like drooping leaves, indicating a lack of water.

During the vegetative phase, you should use a grow-specific nutrient blend. You can switch to a bloom formula during the flowering phase for healthier plants.

Low-stress training (LST), topping, and pruning your cannabis plants can help increase your flower yield, so don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Low-stress training requires you to bend the plant’s stems carefully outward to bring more light to other parts of the plant. This method can help boost your yield at harvest time. Remember to be gentle, but consistent with your cannabis plants.

Topping your cannabis plant should be done early, as soon as you can see around five flower nodes. Topping the cannabis plant forces the plant to create more top colas instead of just one. Pruning your plant of excess fan leaves is also useful. This can be a great way to conserve the plant’s energy for the lower nodes.

Pay attention to the cannabis plant leaves and watch for yellowing, brown spots, and pests. Your plants will tell you when something has gone wrong. Yellowing can be consistent with nitrogen deficiency, while spots could indicate problems with the pH levels. Remove discolored and unhealthy leaves to conserve the plant’s energy and promote new growth.

Once your plant is in the flowering phase, you’ll want to watch for mold growth, particularly if your home has high humidity. Look for white powder on the leaves or fuzzy gray spots within the buds. Both can indicate that your plant has been infected with mold or mildew.

You should also regularly inspect your cannabis plants for pests. Pests like spider mites and aphids are common when growing cannabis outdoors.

When to harvest your cannabis flower is critical. Harvesting too early can result in potency loss, and harvesting too late can result in higher levels of CBN. Harvesting your cannabis flower should be determined by inspecting the trichomes. If your trichomes are clear, your buds have yet to fully mature. You want to look for a milky, almost amber trichome. It is time to harvest once the trichomes have reached their peak color.

You’ll want to grab some tools like a lopper or hedge trimmer, and don’t forget gloves. You can gradually remove individual branches or chop from the main stem just below the last stem offshoots.

Terpene levels are highest in the early morning, making it the ideal time to harvest to preserve the plant’s flavor and aroma. Harvesting after watering or a heavy rain should be avoided to limit the risk of developing mold or mildew. Some growers even stop watering a couple of weeks before they harvest.

Drying and curing your buds is an important final step in growing cannabis. To dry your buds, hang them in a dark, cool, dry space. Your area should be clean and have the ability to maintain a temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drying buds typically takes around 2 weeks. This can be affected by several things, including the local environment and humidity level. To avoid mold growth while drying, ensure there is airflow. A fan placed not directly facing the plants can do this. Buds are ready to cure when the stem snaps in half and the buds are dry but not brittle.

After drying, you can break off the buds from the main plant stem and store them in glass jars. While curing your cannabis, jars should be kept in a cool and dark space. Don’t forget to “burp” your jars every day for around 2 to 4 weeks to optimize the flavor and aroma of your cannabis.

Ideally, the room you are curing in can also maintain a temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level between 50% and 60%.

Here are some quick tips to get a head start on the next growing season:

Not all cannabis strains are the same. Some varieties have more robust traits that evolved to allow them to thrive in an outdoor growing environment. Look for strains known for their mold resistance if you are in a humid area, or strains known for thriving in a desert environment if you live in a drier climate.

Need help picking the right strain? Check out this curated list of the best outdoor cannabis strains to grow.

Cannabis plants need up to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It’s ideal to pick a spot with plenty of natural sunlight. Other factors to consider include a spot that offers protection from the wind and neighbors’ views.

Don’t get left in a lurch needing more space for your cannabis plant. Make sure there is ample room in your garden to grow your plants. Cannabis plants need enough space for their roots to expand and to promote airflow. In general, each plant should be spaced 3 to 6 feet of spacing. The more room it has to grow, the bigger the yields will be.

Picking the right soil is key to a successful outdoor cannabis grow. Outdoor soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. If you find your soil is heavy like clay or fine like sand, you can add things like compost, perlite, and worm castings. Before planting, you may want to test your soil’s pH to ensure it is at the right balance. Cannabis plants prefer soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5.

Starting cannabis seeds indoors can help protect them from environmental factors that may stress the seedlings. You can use the paper towel method or germinate directly in a small pot with some soil. It is time to transplant once your plants have at least three sets of fan leaves. For outdoor growing, the sooner the germinated seedlings are planted, the faster they will adapt.

The goal here is to keep the soil evenly moist. Don’t overwater your plant, or you may damage the roots, leading to root rot. You can check the moisture level by placing your finger about an inch into the soil. If it is dry, your plant likely needs water. Outdoor cultivation can require up to 30 inches of water throughout the growing season. When it hits the peak of the summer in certain climates, your plants may need daily watering.

Various natural pest deterrents, like companion plants, can help greatly. These companion plants can help protect your cannabis plants from pests and wildlife. Adding chicken wire or a tomato cage around your plant can also help keep wildlife from damaging (or eating) your hard work.

Using the techniques mentioned, like pruning, LST, and topping, can help expose your cannabis plant to more light. LST and topping should be done early in the growing process to limit plant stress. This extra light exposure to different parts of the plant can help promote larger bud growth. Pruning or defoliating your plant can help to improve airflow and limit the risk of mold growth.

Depending on the growth stage of the plant, adjust the nutrient levels accordingly. During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require a lot of nitrogen to promote the development of leaves and stems. When the plant begins to enter the flowering stage, potassium and phosphorus are key to bud growth. Both overfeeding and underfeeding nutrients can damage the plant. Keep an eye on any changes in leaf discoloration, curling, or brown spots.

If you live in a climate with temperate weather, it may be best to have on hand some supplies. These can include plant covers to protect from the rain, or shade cloths to protect from the midsummer hours of direct sunlight. To avoid damage from gusts of wind, having some sort of wind blocker can prevent your plants from toppling over.

Some strains are said to have a certain growth period, during which you can harvest after that time has passed. However, every strain is different, as is the environment in which they are grown. The best way to tell if your plants are ready to harvest is by checking the trichomes. If you see a milky amber color within the trichomes, it is time to harvest your plants. Harvesting too soon can mean less THC and poorer bud structure, while harvesting too late can lead to degraded cannabinoids and altered effects.

The final step in the process is drying and curing the flower. Don’t rush the drying and curing process if you want to preserve the aroma. You should hang your plant stalks in a cool, dark room that has proper airflow and a humidity between 50% and 60%. After around 10 days have passed, you can check the dryness of your plants by testing to see if a stem will snap or bend. If it snaps, check that the flower isn’t too moist before placing it in a jar to cure.

• Overwatering plants: This can lead to root rot and stunted growth.
• Choosing the wrong soil type: Picking the wrong soil can result in poor water drainage and suffocation of root systems.
• Crowding your plants: Crowding can reduce airflow, which increases the risk of mold or mildew.
• Planting too early: Planting when it’s too cold out can stunt plant growth.
• Harvesting too soon: Harvesting flower too soon can result in low-quality and low-potency cannabis buds.
• Ignoring pests: While there can be a lot of beneficial insects outdoors, there are also many pests waiting to feed off your cannabis plant. Be sure to check for common pests like spider mites and aphids.

When is the best time to plant weed outdoors?

The best time to plant outdoor cannabis plants is between late April and early May, usually after the last freeze.

Can I grow weed outdoors year-round?

Yes, it is possible to have outdoor plants year-round in some zones, like Hawaii. However, the growing season is from Spring to Fall in most regions.

What’s the best soil for growing weed outdoors?

The best soil is well-draining and made with organic matter such as compost and worm castings. Some cannabis growers even use coco coir.

How tall do outdoor weed plants get?

Depending on the genetics and growing time, outdoor cannabis plants can grow upwards of 12 feet tall, but most average between 4 feet and 6 feet tall.