Harborside’s Outdoor Cannabis Grow Guide: “Grow What You Know”

Understanding Cannabis Genetics

Cannabis strains come in three main types: Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Tools You’ll Need to Grow Cannabis

Soil

We recommend soil blends from these three California companies:

• Fox Farm’s Happy Frog
• E.B. Stone’s 420 Mix
• Royal Gold’s Basement Mix

Pots

Start with a pot that can hold 1-5 gallons of soil and has a saucer for drainage. Here are some types of pots you can use:

• Air Pot: It prevents plants from becoming root-bound and is resistant to overwatering, but it needs watering more often.
• Basic Pot (clay, plastic, etc.): You can find and make these easily.
• Fabric or Smart Pot: It gives more oxygen to the roots, dries out faster, and is excellent at releasing heat.

Trellising Materials

Heavy cannabis buds can snap the branches holding them. You can prevent this and maximize space and light penetration with additional support. Wire caging, tomato netting, or bamboo stakes and garden ties are a few methods you can use.

Pruning Shears

You’ll need a good pair of pruning shears for everything from pruning lower leaves to manicuring your harvested cannabis. We recommend two popular brands:

• Fiskars: An industry standard for decades.
• Chikamasa: Bonsai shears available in varying lengths and curvatures.

pH Measurements

Before feeding your plants, always check the pH of your water. The right pH creates an ideal climate for soil microorganisms and helps protect against disease. We recommend the test kit from General Hydroponics.

Beneficial Microbes

Healthy soil teems with millions of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. Each plays a different part in development. Some growers use additives and amendments to promote growth or enhance aspects of a variety. Learn more at Blue Sky Organics.

Further Guidance on Growing

For more information on growing cannabis, check out these resources:

• Ed Rosenthal
• Jorge Cervantes
• Nebula Haze & Sirius Fourside
• Royal Queen Seeds

Local Gardening Supply

Thank you for choosing Harborside. We’ve been helping growers like you since 2006.