Harvesting Cannabis: Sun vs. Lights

Harvesting cannabis has evolved significantly over the years, with outdoor growing during the summer months and indoor cannabis cultivation under artificial lights being the two options for cannabis cultivation. Each approach has its unique advantages and challenges, especially when it comes to harvesting and processing the crop. In this post, we will explore the process of harvesting and processing cannabis grown outdoors during the summer, highlighting the differences compared to indoor cultivation.

Growing Cannabis Outdoors: The Basics

Growing cannabis outside during the summer months can be a rewarding experience. It takes advantage of natural sunlight, reducing energy costs and environmental impact. Here's an overview of the outdoor cultivation process:

Site Selection: Arguably one of the most important factors to sun-grown marijuana, choosing a suitable location with good soil quality (or a flat spot to sit your cannabis pot), proper drainage, and ample sunlight. Ensure it's discreet to maintain privacy and security. Each state where marijuana is legal has its own laws and regulations for personal cannabis cultivation. Be sure to check your local laws to stay incompliance.

Strain Selection: While you might want to choose your outdoor marijuana strain based on how it makes you feel, it’s important to choose cannabis strains that are well-suited for outdoor cultivation in your climate. Some strains are better at handling the challenges of outdoor growing, while others prefer to be indoor cannabis plants.

Planting: Start by germinating seeds or using clones. Transplant them into the ground or large pots when they are strong enough. I recommend using fabric pots with ample drainage so that you can easily test the pH during your outdoor cannabis grow. Pro Tip: The bigger the pot, the bigger the root, the bigger the plant. 

Maintenance: Maintain the plants by watering, providing nutrients, and protecting them from pests and diseases. Prune and train your plants as they grow to maximize light exposure.

Flowering: Cannabis plants naturally transition into the flowering stage as the days shorten. Outdoor cultivation depends on the changing seasons to trigger this phase. 

When to Harvest Cannabis Grown Outdoors

Harvesting cannabis grown outdoors is different from indoor cultivation because the plant's growth cycle is influenced by natural light and environmental factors. Here's how to harvest outdoor cannabis:

Timing: Answering the question of when to harvest marijuana can be tricky. Monitor your plants closely as they enter the flowering stage. Harvest when the trichomes (resin glands) are cloudy and the pistils (hairs) have changed color but are not yet fully brown. Timing of cannabis harvesting is crucial for optimal potency and flavor.

Tools: You'll need sharp pruning shears, gloves, and clean, food-grade containers for harvesting.

Trimming: After cutting the branches, remove the large fan leaves. Trim the smaller leaves and sugar leaves from the buds, leaving only the trichome-covered flowers. Proper trimming enhances the appearance and flavor of the final product. It’s important to note that the trimming and drying process can be flipped. Some cannabis cultivators prefer to dry trim rather than wet trim. 

Drying: Hang the trimmed buds upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space with a temperature of around 60-70°F (15-21°C) and humidity around 50-60%. This process can take 7-14 days.

Curing: After drying and trimming, place the buds in airtight glass jars with a Boveda humidity pack. Open the jars daily for the first two weeks to release excess moisture and improve flavor. This process is called “burping” the grow and is super important. Cure your cannabis for at least two weeks to enhance the aroma and potency.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Cultivation: Harvesting and Processing Differences

Now, let's compare harvesting and processing outdoor cannabis with indoor cultivation under lights:

Light Source: Indoor cultivation relies on powerful, artificial LED lighting, allowing growers to control the light cycle and yield multiple harvests per year. Outdoor cultivation depends on natural sunlight and is usually limited to one annual harvest.

Environmental Control: Indoor growers have precise control over temperature, humidity, and light intensity, which can result in more consistent and predictable growth. Outdoor growers must contend with varying weather conditions, which can be unpredictable and require adapting cultivation practices accordingly. Indoor growers can also choose between growing their medicine hydroponically (with a watering system for the roots), or the traditional soil method used by outdoor cultivators.

Yield: While indoor cultivation can produce higher yields per plant, outdoor cultivation can compensate with larger plants and the potential for a more substantial overall yield due to the larger number of plants that can be grown.

Energy Consumption: Indoor cultivation consumes more energy due to artificial lighting and environmental control systems, making it less environmentally friendly compared to outdoor cultivation.

Cost: Outdoor cultivation tends to be more cost-effective due to lower energy expenses, while indoor cultivation requires a higher initial investment in equipment and ongoing operational costs.

Harvesting and processing cannabis, whether grown outdoors during the summer or indoors under artificial lights, can be a rewarding endeavor. Understanding the differences between these two cultivation methods is crucial for successful cultivation. Outdoor cultivation harnesses the power of natural sunlight and the changing seasons, while indoor cultivation offers greater control and flexibility. 

Ultimately, the choice between the two methods depends on your resources, goals, and environmental considerations. Regardless of the method chosen, proper harvesting and processing techniques are essential for producing high-quality cannabis.

Have you grown your own medicine? Do you prefer to grow indoors or outdoors? Hit me up on social media, and let’s spark up a conversation about it!