For decades, the indoor-outdoor debate has been a subject of controversy among growers and cannabis enthusiasts. Some say that the desired end product should drive your decision to grow indoors or outdoors, but truth be told – both methods produce excellent results when grown properly. So what are the driving factors to consider when choosing to grow indoor versus outdoor weeds? This post will help you evaluate your options and begin your cannabis seeds cultivation journey.
Growing Weeds Indoors vs Outdoors: Factors to Consider
Choosing indoor versus outdoor lawn planting is a multi-faceted decision. You may have preferences or goals for your garden but face limitations due to the climate or environment. Although it is not an exhaustive list, here are the five most important factors to consider when choosing the type of growth you want.
Factor #1: Climate
Climate is the number one factor to consider because you won’t be able to strategically plan your crop until you know where you’re going to plant. For example, hemp loves sunlight and needs a summer season to reach its full potential outdoors. This means that if you live in a dense forest with limited sunlight through a canopy, growing outdoors may not be your best option.
Likewise, if you plan to grow in an area that gets full sun all day in a dry climate, it’s best to be prepared to water your plants heavily. Many deserts and high desert climates will require daily watering to keep your plants happy. If you want to take long summer vacations, then outdoor planting may not be for you.
Other climatic considerations include excess moisture. If you live in an area that receives a lot of rain during the summer months, you may want to choose a greenhouse with full sun plants. Too much moisture and humidity can lead to bud mold and rot.
Ultimately, if you don’t live somewhere where you can grow weeds outdoors, you’ll be better off growing indoors.
Factor #2: Space
Whether growing medicinal or recreational, each state has different laws about how many plants you are allowed to grow. Adults living in recreational marijuana can grow about four to six plants on average per household. Medical marijuana patients often grow larger but must have legally registered medical marijuana cards.
Regardless of adult use or medical marijuana seeds growth, you will need enough space for the number of plants you intend to grow. Outdoor plants will be much larger than indoor plants because you have less control over their height and width when you are outside. However, don’t be fooled into thinking indoor plants are too small.
To avoid overcrowding in an indoor growing environment, plan to provide enough space for fully mature plants. Plan about three square feet per plant to make sure that the branches of adjacent plants do not touch each other. A crowded growing room is prone to problems such as mold due to limited air flow and the transfer of pests or diseases.
Outdoor crops need more space to grow and should be spaced four to six feet apart. You should be able to get around each plant easily because you will be working the plant to tie off the big twigs and remove the dead leaves and trellis building as they approach maturity.
Keep in mind that each strain of cannabis grows differently. Some plants, such as the sativa, tend to be tall and slender, while many are shorter and more shrubby. Do a little stress research before choosing to grow indoor versus outdoor weeds. Don’t forget to take into account extra space for drying and curing your harvested plants.
Factor #3: Price
Growing weeds is an investment, and it’s a risky one. Any kind of farming, especially for first-time farmers, comes with a bit of trial and error that can add up financially. If you use price to determine your growing preferences, it’s probably not surprising to hear that growing indoors is usually a bigger initial investment. Plus, when starting from scratch, indoor growing requires a lot of specialized equipment.
The room itself needs to be sanitized and is often modified to include proper ventilation, proper electrical wiring, and usually a fresh coat of white paint to help the lights reflect off the plants from all angles. In addition, you will need quality grow lights, ballasts, charcoal filters, fans, timers, humidity and temperature controls, and plenty of extension cords. Not to mention all the pots, soil, nutrients, and other growing materials you’ll need wherever you’re growing.
To grow fully sunny outdoor plants, you really only need pots, soil, nutrients, and supplies to keep the plants upright. This includes trellis material and bamboo pegs. Growing weeds in a greenhouse does not come with additional expenses, and this can vary slightly depending on the size of the greenhouse. The average price for a simple circular home is $5 to $10 per square foot, but a top-of-the-line greenhouse with built-in fans, auto-close vents, and specialized hoods can easily cost three to four times that amount.
Another pricing factor to consider is how much the sprouts are worth once harvested. If you plan to sell your lawn, keep in mind that many people charge a higher price for indoor seeds than outdoor ones, although this also varies by region and quality of testing.
Factor #4: Efficiency
A common misconception is that indoor weeds are stronger than outdoor weeds. It is generally believed that indoor conditions are often kinder to the shoots themselves. Terpenes and hemp are found in the fragile triangular forms of cannabis flowers, and outdoor growing conditions are subject to a range of environmental factors such as wind, rain, and even cold. Such weather can damage the plant’s tricolour, resulting in less vigorous shoots.
However, this does not necessarily mean that indoor buds will always have a higher profile of cannabinoids and terpenes. One cannabis farms I tested this theory by cloning the same mother plant and growing another indoor plant and another outdoors. After multiple experiments, the outdoor plants consistently had higher hemp profiles. A possible explanation for this is that even the most sophisticated lighting systems cannot replicate the power of natural sunlight.
Whether growing indoors or outdoors, potency depends on plant genetics and comprehensive plant care. New growers may find that the potency increases year by year when they learn about cannabis cultivation. Take good care of your crop, and you will be rewarded with high quality sprouts.
Factor 5: Difficulty
Growing your first crop is tough any way you cut it. But in general, growing weeds indoors is usually more difficult at first. This is because it requires more attention to ensure optimal conditions are met at all times. For example, you have a big problem if the timer fails to turn on the lights or the power goes out. Or, if you fail to adjust moisture levels, you could end up with a pest problem or an environment that begins to multiply fungus or mold. The learning curve for optimizing indoor growing environments is much steeper than growing outdoors, but once you get the hang of it, you have more control over the crop.
When you grow outdoors, your plants are prone to some of the same problems as plants indoors, but you have less control because you can’t control the weather. However, growing outdoors is simpler because it requires less knowledge of specialized equipment, and you rely on the basic elements to grow anything: sunlight, soil, and water. These items are easily accessible outdoors.
Growing weeds indoors: the pros and cons
Growing weeds indoors is a great way to get started in a small, controlled environment. However, it comes with both pros and cons that must be considered before making an investment.
Pros: Growing indoors
The biggest advantage of growing indoors is that you can do everything throughout the year. So, no matter where you live, or if it’s too late for winter, you can start indoor growing. There is also a lot of flexibility in setup. While basic equipment is expensive, you can grow it in small spaces like a garage or even a closet instead of renting a warehouse.
Working in a highly controlled growing room is a great way to learn about specific strains and phone in an environment that is ideal for this breed. This means that you will get better in growth with each crop. And since a lot of consumers tend to think that indoor grass is inherently better than outdoor lawn, you’ll probably make good money if you’re going to sell.
Cons: Growing inward
Growing indoors comes with some potential downsides, like excessive energy bills and the pungent smell of marijuana creeping into your home and possibly your neighborhood. Not only is the energy consumption tough on your wallet, but it’s not a very eco-friendly way to grow weeds.
Some risks come with the setup itself. Suppose you decide to grow hydroponically, and a crack or leak in the foundation trays is causing the floor to be submerged. If you rent, you may have just evicted yourself, and if you own a home, you have a water damage issue.
Growing weeds outdoors: the pros and cons
If you are attracted to natural, sun-grown herbs, a fully sunny garden or greenhouse may be a good option for you. To further assist with your decision, check out the pros and cons of outdoor growing sites.
Pros: growing outdoors
Growing outdoors is the way nature intended. No matter how well you imagine your grow lights, nothing can simulate the power of the sun. While the elements may add risk to your endeavors, they will strengthen your plants and make them more adaptable. Growing seeds outdoors is extremely cost-effective and requires little more than plenty of sunlight, clean water, and nutrient-rich soil.
Growing outdoors is not only the most environmentally friendly option, but it also allows for a huge crop size that is difficult to achieve in an indoor environment. Crops from outdoor plants are much larger than crops from indoors, which is always a good thing.
Cons: Growing outdoors
There are inherent risks in growing outdoors. Climatic conditions, animals and pests threaten your crop. You wouldn’t be the first farmer to lose an entire crop to a fierce summer hailstorm. As summer approaches and you prepare to harvest, early frost can easily kill plants if temperatures drop below freezing.
Preparing for the elements requires close attention, and you can never leave your garden alone for long. Wherever you end up growing outdoors, make sure you have an unlimited supply of water and supplies available to cover the plants from rain, hail, snow, or strong winds.
In addition, outdoor crops are more exposed and may attract negative attention from neighbors, law enforcement, or thieves. Finally, the space required for outdoor growth may require a plot of land far outside the city limits, which can be difficult if you do not live on the site.
Indoors vs. Outdoors: Which is Right for Me?
If you’re still on the fence about growing indoor or outdoor weeds, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is my initial startup budget?
- Does my climate support the summer outdoor growing season?
- How many plants can I grow in my space?
- Do I plan to sell this cannabis or only use it for personal use?
- How much time am I willing to spend learning how to grow weeds?
The solution lies in the answers to these questions. It’s not about indoor versus outdoor herbs and more about what you are willing to take on and what you can accommodate with what you have on hand. There is no harm in experimenting, but start small, do your research, and always buy quality cannabis seeds.
Good luck!!
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