The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Cannabis Cultivation Journey

What is better than consuming high-grade cannabis buds? The answer is growing them yourself from the comfort of your own home! Welcome to the beginning of your magical journey to discovering the sweet science of growing cannabis. 

Prepare for a life-changing lesson that will allow you to become a fulfilled, connected to the Earth and green-minded grower. So roll up a big joint or blunt of your favorite flower, grab your vape pen or get ready to munch down a tasty edible as we get ready to start your journey together with me as a cannabis cultivator. 

TL/DR

•  You will have the option of growing cannabis plants indoors or outdoors.
•  Indoors can range from an attic, basement, garage, grow tent or DIY grow room.
• Grow tents are convenient, easy to set up, and ideal for beginner growers.
• Starting with feminized seeds or auto-flowering seeds is well advised.
• Outdoors, you may grow on a garden plot, balcony, terrace, or windowsill. 
• Guerilla growing means growing cannabis plants in a secret wild space.
• Garden plots may require protection from the wind and be well hidden.
• Autoflowering cannabis can take anywhere from 70-120 days to harvest.

Why You Should Consider Growing Your Own

Growing your cannabis buds is a magical journey. Along the way, you will see firsthand how complex, diverse, and magnificent cannabis plants truly are while connecting with nature. Of course, I recommend that you fully research the legality of your own state, comply with state laws, and abide by your country’s laws outside of the US regarding cultivation. 

Where Could You Start Growing Weed?

There are two main options: You can grow weed indoors or, if your climate allows it, outdoors. Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each. 

Growing indoors

 An indoor grow can range from an attic, basement, garage, grow tent, DIY grow room or a clothes cupboard. 

The pros of an indoor grow room are environmental control, odor control, consistent light intensity, nutrients, and the ability to perpetually harvest. 

The cons are space may be limited in width or height, initially set up costs, energy bills, nutrient costs, and committing free time for plant maintenance and grow room cleanliness. 

Growing outdoors

Your outdoor grow may be in the safety of your back garden, a sunny terrace or balcony, a greenhouse, or you may have found an off-the-grid location in a forest or woodland. 

The pros of growing outside are you have loads of space, fresh air and there are no electricity bills to worry about. 

The cons are you don’t have environmental control, must be ready for insects and animals, and can only harvest once per year (with photoperiod plants).

Setting Up Your Grow Space Indoors

One of the best things about being an indoor grower is the fact you have so many options! Below are all of the possible options for an indoor grower to get their foot on the green ladder to success.

Should You Use a Grow Tent or No Tent?

Grow tents are available in all shapes and sizes, ranging from propagation size to large size. I find tents are extremely practical for setting up and cleaning, and you can use multiple tents for growing, flowering, and dying the buds, however, it depends on how practical they are for you.

Cupboard Grows

My first ever indoor grow almost 20 years ago was inside an empty clothes cupboard, and when done right, you can achieve excellent results in a small space! Lining a cupboard with reflective mylar, hanging a grow light, and installing your extractor and carbon filter won’t take long or cost you much. It is a great entry-level option for a beginner grower. I love to work with grow tents as they are easy to set up, clean, sterile, and extremely practical for a bedroom grower, and save time and expenses converting an attic, basement, or spare room.

Growing in a Room

Converting a spare room to make it ideal for growing cannabis indoors is a great way to start growing weed indoors. As long as you have access to a fresh air source and can comfortably control the environment and noise levels, then go ahead and turn that spare bedroom into a secret garden!

Attic Grows

The beauty of an attic space is the ability to have a hidden grow room at the top of your house. An attic can provide the optimal amount of space for hanging lights, extractors, fans, and a good number of plants (depending on the state laws).

Alternatively, I would recommend that you simply assemble a grow tent and use it inside the attic space. This way, you can control your environment much better, and it also saves the logistics and labor of building a new grow room from scratch. 

Basement Grows

You may need to get down and dirty and give the basement a good cleaning. Once you have transformed the basement into a clean and sterile environment for growing cannabis, make sure it’s well-ventilated. We recommend a grow tent to be able to dial in the temperatures and humidity, and then you will have a well-hidden and discreet grow space.

Garage Grows

Many commercial-scale cannabis brands once started growing cannabis in a garage. It will take proper design and implementation to make your garage stealthproof from neighbors; however, it is a highly practical option, especially if the garage spare is spare and free to use. 

Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation

For those who prefer to grow outdoors, take advantage of the sun’s rays and don’t mind being exposed to the elements, then deciding where to place your cannabis plants is important. Below are the different options available to outdoor growers.

Garden Plot

You can make organic beds, customize your soil mixes, have access to a hose pipe, nutrients and always be a short walk away from your crop. Growing outdoors in a garden plot may require protection from the wind and be kept hidden from neighbors.

From Balconies to Rooftops

Not everyone has access to a garden, and the next best thing may be a rooftop, terrace, or balcony. Space and privacy may be limited in some cases, however, you can still achieve a great outdoor crop from either option. 

Windowsill Grows

For growers who are content with small-sized plants, growing auto-flowering varieties and just enjoying the ride of learning about cannabis, then sunny windowsills can be a good option. Just Make sure the plants are secure and can’t be knocked over.

Guerilla Grows

Guerilla growing means growing cannabis plants in a secret wild space. The could be the back end of a field, forest, mountainous track, or woodland area. Keeping the plants healthy and constantly watered is required, making this style of outdoor growing often for the brave, adventurous, and exceptionally dedicated. This more risky way of growing is not really necessary for beginners.

What Cannabis Seeds Should You Start With? 

If you are starting your weed-growing journey we recommend you start with feminized seeds or autoflowering seeds. These can be THC or CBD-dominant. Of course, the seeds you start should be based on your preference and what is most practical for you.

Feminized or Autoflowering?

Autoflowering cannabis (Autos) plants are a dream come true for beginner growers, allowing them to produce amazing crops indoors and outdoors. Autos will vegetate for around 4 weeks and then begin to flower regardless of the daylight hours. Planted outdoors at the right time, they can produce a top-quality crop. Alternately, autos can be grown indoors under 18 hours of light from seed to harvest. 

Feminized Photoperiods

Photoperiod cannabis plants grown indoors will vegetate under 18 hours of light and start flowering when receiving 12/12. When planted outdoors, feminized photoperiod plants, when planted in springtime, can expect to start flowering in August / early September. Feminized photoperiod cannabis seeds are exceptionally practical and produce only female plants.

From Seed to Harvest and Beyond, ILGM Will Be Your Guide

Combining the sweet science of growing indoors together involves having an awareness and understanding of the following topics listed below. ILGM has everything you will need and more to get you from seed to harvest with ease, and I recommend you peruse the topics in your own time.

• Seed selection
• Germination
• The vegetative stage
• The flowering stage
• Harvest and cure
• Conservation
• Processing

The Five Vital Elements (LAWNS) Cannabis Needs to Thrive

The golden rule to be a successful grower is to remember LAWNS. These are the five vital elements and fundamentals that are required for cannabis plants.

Light

The source of light will either be from the sun or high-intensity discharge grow lights. Cannabis plants require light to photosynthesize, produce sugars, and produce lush new growth. LED grow lights are energy efficient, run at cool temperatures, and are my personal favorite grow light option over high-pressure sodium and metal halide.

Air

Fresh air is an essential part of any indoor or outdoor growth. Cannabis plants love carbon dioxide-rich air, so maintaining a consistent growing environment using an intake fan, extractor, and oscillating fans is key. 

Water

Cannabis plants are capable of drinking large volumes of water and will be able to access nutrients once the roots are saturated. Making sure your plants have access to pH-adjusted water will pay off big time and keep nutrient uptake, availability, and plant health optimal.

Nutrients

As cannabis seeds grow, they will instantly require a wide range of nutrients. Providing food for the plants during their key development stages will result in optimal plant health and yield.

Substrate

Your substrate will be what the plant’s roots grow into and access nutrients and minerals. As an indoor grower, you have the choice of organic substrates such as soil, peat, and compost or a hydroponic substrate containing no nutrients such as coco coir or rockwool. 

From Seed to Bud: How Long Does a Cannabis Home Grow Take?

Typically, home growers will vegetate their plants for up to 4 weeks, and flower for 8-9 weeks with a 2-week drying time, making the final turnaround time between 14-15 weeks. Autoflowering cannabis can take anywhere from 70-120 days from seed to harvest, depending on the cultivar and the climate. I would recommend learning about perpetual harvests indoors and the benefits associated.

Legal Considerations for Growing Your Own

One thing we must never do is break the law, so it goes without saying: always follow your state laws regarding cannabis cultivation. Those who live in a legal state comply with the plant count allowed and do not run any risk at all. Growers living outside of the US should research and comply with their government laws regarding cannabis cultivation. 

Happy growing!