Maximum Yield Cannabis USA March/April 2019 | Page 67

S
Marijuana grows exceptionally
well hydroponically and, as
writer Wiley Geren tells us,
cannabis also does very well in
its natural environment, growing
outdoors in a raised garden.
M
ost states, with the exceptions of South
Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Idaho,
have legalized marijuana in some form.
Whether it’s decriminalization, medical
use, or recreational legalization, America
has been shrugging off historic stigmas
associated with cannabis. Brewers and
beer enthusiasts can make their own brew,
while gardeners and green enthusiasts can
cultivate (where legal) their own cannabis.
Each state has unique possession and
growing laws that must be adhered to. If
you are interested in growing cannabis,
please research and understand the laws
and regulations in your state. Cannabis,
just like any other garden plant, has its
growing preferences including season,
soil, watering, and spacing, along with
the different varieties to consider. Indoor
growing gives gardeners complete control
over the environment, but control can
come at a cost. Follow these guidelines for
cultivating marijuana successfully outdoors
in a raised garden.
When to Plant: Avoid the Cold
Marijuana is a warm-season plant,
preferring warmth and humidity to cooler,
dryer temperatures. It is advisable to begin
planting after the last frost but note colder
temperatures will adversely affect growth
and flowering. It’s important to provide
cannabis with direct sunlight, however,
too much heat can be just as damaging as
cold. Prolonged direct sunlight (more than
eight hours), paired with temperatures
higher than 90˚F can be detrimental, but
easily remedied. If plants begin to wilt
or develop burns, simply provide some
shade. By using screen material or some
light cloth, you can erect a covering to limit
some of that direct sunlight.
Raised Bed Square-Foot Gardening
Raised bed square-foot gardening is
celebrated for its simplicity, structure,
and growing efficiency. Coupling the
advantages of a raised bed (accessible,
controlled soil, and great drainage) with
square-foot gardening (organization,
efficient space utilization, and reduced
watering needs), creates the ideal
conditions for nearly any plant to thrive,
including marijuana.
Matthew Sokolowski, operations manager
at True Plant Science in Seattle, says
cannabis loves nutrient-rich soil, good
drainage, and at least four to six gallons of
soil per plant. One square foot in an eight-
inch tall raised bed provides a gardener
roughly five gallons of soil. So, if a grower
wanted to exclusively plant marijuana
and they had a 4x4-foot garden bed
(16 square feet of planting space), they
could plant 16 plants. Sokolowski notes
cannabis is fairly adaptive to the space
given, producing a smaller yield with less
space and a larger one with more room.
Here are two spacing options using a
4x4-foot raised garden as an example.
Soil, Drainage, and Watering
Marijuana plants require plenty of nutrients
to grow strong and vibrant. Backyard soil
isn’t known for being nutrient-rich, but
raised beds avoid this issue by letting
gardeners add their own pre-mixed
nutritious soil. Soil will
settle naturally, so be sure
to add about two inches
of soil above the top of
your raised bed. That way
it remains full to the top
after settling. Also, don’t
tamp down the soil when
you add it. Leave it loose.
Plants prefer looser soil
so the roots can grow without obstruction.
Loose soil also provides for better drainage,
unlike yard soil which has been compressed
over time. Cannabis plants, in typical
conditions, should be watered every few
days. Every morning, check to see if the soil
is moist up to an inch below the surface. If
the soil is crumbly and dry an inch or more
down, then it’s time to water.
“Raised bed square-foot
gardening is celebrated
for its simplicity, structure,
and growing efficiency.”
Which Strain? Sativa Optimum
for Square-Foot Gardening
There are two primary strains of
marijuana. Sativa is more prone to
growing up/elongating, while indica
tends to grow bushier and outward. For
those who intend on growing weed in a
square-foot bed, sativa is preferable as it
won’t crowd as much as indica. Air flow
is important when gardening, and dense
plant-clusters can keep air from moving
freely, resulting in mold.
Overall, you can treat growing marijuana in
a raised garden the same way as growing
other warm-weather garden plants.
Problems with the plants can arise (mold
and pests) and if that does happen, research
the issue as you would for any other plant. If
you give the plants good soil, avoid weather
extremes, keep an eye out for concerns,
and water well, you should have a great
cannabis harvest this season.
Maximum Yield
67