How to grow marijuana outdoors: a beginner’s guide

Growing marijuana outdoors is a cost-effective and natural way to cultivate cannabis. With proper planning, sunlight, and patience, you can grow healthy, potent plants even as a first-time grower. This guide covers all the basics you need to start.


📍 1. Choosing the Right Location

Outdoor cannabis thrives in locations with:

  • Direct sunlight: At least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
  • Privacy: Choose a discreet area (especially if local laws require it).
  • Airflow: A breezy spot reduces mold and pests.
  • Drainage: Avoid areas that flood after rain.

Pro Tip: South-facing spots tend to get the most consistent sunlight.


🗓️ 2. Timing Your Grow

Cannabis follows the natural light cycle:

  • Plant in spring (after the last frost)
  • Harvest in fall (usually September–October)

Regional Tips:

  • Northern states: Start seeds indoors early.
  • Southern states: Longer growing season, consider multiple crops.

🌱 3. Picking the Right Strain

Not all strains grow equally outdoors.

  • Indica: Shorter, bushier, and matures faster — good for colder climates.
  • Sativa: Taller with longer flowering times — better for warm, sunny areas.
  • Autoflowering: Great for beginners. These flower automatically after a set period, not based on light.

Choose strains that are mold-resistant and suitable for your climate.


🧬 4. Germinating and Starting Seeds

Start indoors for stronger seedlings.

  1. Soak seeds in water for 12–24 hours.
  2. Place in damp paper towels in a warm, dark area.
  3. Wait 2–7 days for sprouting.
  4. Transfer sprouted seeds to small pots until they have 4+ nodes.

🌎 5. Transplanting Outdoors

Once night temps stay above 55°F (13°C):

  • Dig holes 1–2 ft wide/deep.
  • Mix native soil with compost, perlite, and organic fertilizers.
  • Space plants 3–6 ft apart (depending on strain size).
  • Water well after transplanting.

💧 6. Watering and Feeding

  • Watering: Water when top inch of soil is dry. Deep watering is better than frequent light watering.
  • Nutrients:
    • Vegetative stage: High nitrogen (N)
    • Flowering stage: Higher phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)

Use organic fertilizers or compost teas to minimize risk of nutrient burn.


🛡️ 7. Pest and Disease Control

Outdoor plants face threats like:

  • Pests: Aphids, caterpillars, spider mites.
  • Diseases: Powdery mildew, bud rot.

Prevention Tips:

  • Neem oil or insecticidal soap (organic)
  • Companion planting (e.g., marigolds deter pests)
  • Avoid overwatering to reduce mold risk

🔄 8. Pruning and Training

Maximize yield and airflow:

  • Topping: Cut the top of the plant to encourage bushier growth.
  • LST (Low Stress Training): Bend and tie stems to expose more buds to light.
  • Remove lower branches: Improves airflow and reduces energy waste.

🔥 9. Flowering and Harvesting

Outdoor plants start flowering as daylight decreases (late summer).

Harvesting signs:

  • 70–90% of pistils (white hairs) turn amber/brown.
  • Trichomes (with magnifier): Look milky/cloudy with some amber.

Cut branches, trim fan leaves, and hang upside down in a dark, ventilated space to dry.


🧂 10. Drying & Curing

  • Drying: 7–14 days in 60°F–70°F with 50–60% humidity.
  • Curing: Place dried buds in jars. Open daily for 10–15 minutes (burping) for 2–4 weeks.

Proper curing boosts flavor, potency, and smoothness.


⚖️ Legal Considerations

Check your local/state laws before growing. Many areas require:

  • Secure fencing
  • Plant limits
  • Age restrictions (21+)
  • No visibility from public spaces

🧠 Final Tips for Beginners

  • Keep a grow journal.
  • Be patient—cannabis takes time!
  • Don’t over-fertilize.
  • Observe your plants daily.

Conclusion
Outdoor cannabis cultivation is a rewarding journey that connects you with nature while producing potent, homegrown flower. With the right environment and care, even beginners can succeed.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Categories

Recent Posts

March 4, 2022
Troubleshooting common mistakes in marijuana growing
March 4, 2022
How to buy good weed: Finding quality in cannabis flower

Subscribe to our newsletter now

Sign up to our newsletter, find out the latest news

Subscribe

Follow Us




Shop legal cannabis & accessories online.
Shop Now