In 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64 to legalize home growth and use of marijuana. But that doesn’t mean you can set up a pot farm in your backyard! Research the law first, and then spend a bit of time learning how to grow these plants correctly for the best results.
Regulations do restrict who can grow marijuana, and how much they can grow. Here’s what you need to know before you start some plants.
You must be 21 years old. You must be 21 both to grow the plants and to use them. Younger growers or users could still face infractions.
You’re limited to six plants. You can only grow six plants for personal use, and that isn’t a lot. So don’t get carried away!
Your garden is subject to strict limits. You can only grow marijuana plants indoors, or outdoors if you own the property. The plants must be secured (for example, with a high fence and a gate that locks) and they cannot be viewed from a public place.
Having covered the basics of the law, it’s time to learn how to grow these special plants. Yes, many growers find success with indoor gardening. Marijuana plants are quite hardy and do well under a variety of conditions. Growing plants indoors, under LED grow lights, can result in a significant harvest.
But if you want to grow outdoors, just make sure your garden follows the above regulations. Remember that these plants need full sun for at least 6 hours of the day.
Starting your seeds. Marijuana seeds need at least 12 hours of light per day in order to get started properly. So starting them indoors is usually a good idea.
Provide air. These plants need moving air in order to develop strength and resist mold. You don’t have to worry about this if you grow plants outdoors but provide moving air with a fan if you’re growing indoors.
Water your plants regularly. Marijuana plants are especially thirsty. An indoor hydroponic setup will provide a terrific result, but if you grow in the ground outdoors you will need to water your plants daily.
Provide rich soil. Use compost to provide adequate nutrients to in-ground plants, or a formulated nutrient mix for hydroponic plants.
Luckily, marijuana plants are hardy and can survive quite well in Southern California. You won’t have to worry about extreme temperatures in most cases, but light cycles do influence when your plants begin to flower. Take the time to research flowering so that you can prompt your plants to produce at the right time.
And yes, you can grow marijuana in large pots! That’s great news for those of you without large yards or space for indoor growing.
If you need a wall or fencing to secure your garden, give us a call to discuss your options.
