During growing our plants are open to all sorts of dangers. This is especially true if we are growing plants outside. Indoors we can largely protect them from pests, mould, disease, temperature changes and a variety of other issues. However, outdoors our plants are open to the elements as well as predators and unpredictable beasties. Of course, some things can be done to pretend our plants. We don’t just have to hope that mother nature is kind to us. Instead, we can take these precautions and make these steps to ensure the safety of our outdoors plants.
Weather
This is likely one of the biggest issues with growing outside, not being able to completely predict and protect from the weather. There are also such a wide variety of potential issues that it can be difficult to ensure our plants are completely safe.
If we are planting outdoors it is possible that a strong wind could cause havoc with our plants. Cannabis plants can be extremely fragile so it’s best to plant according to the wind. Before planting try to figure out which direction the wind blows in the most, especially if you live in a super windy area. Once we have an idea of where the wind is coming from it’s usually easiest to simply put up barricades to block it. This means we keep the plants partially sheltered but still allow them access to sunlight and rain.
It can also be a good idea to use sticks or trellising to keep your plants safe from the wind. If they are tied to support they are less likely to bend or break if the wind does unexpectedly change direction. Even if the plants are in danger of being torn asunder by intense wind gusts, trellises can ensure the plant’s most sensitive parts aren’t put under potentially damaging pressure by the elements. This includes rain which can weigh down and damage the branches of our plants.
When we talk about rain we also need to make sure the plants can drain properly, especially if they are being grown in a wet part of the world. Improper drainage can cause a build-up of moisture that in turn can cause mould and can attract insects. It is also very likely that excessively damp soil will cause root rot. It usually helps to have a ditch dug around the garden so that the water trickles down and away from the plants. This means they will still get plenty of drinking water without any rot or mould issues.
It is also a good idea to shake the plants gently after rain to ensure that water isn’t pooling and going stagnant. Stagnant water is usually what attracts pests to the plants.
Temperature also causes a variety of problems, especially at night. Even cold weather plants can only handle a few degree changes in weather between day and night without being damaged. Pay attention to the weather and watch for any cold snaps that might be coming your way. If it looks like frost is on the way cover the plants with a plastic sheet before you go to bed. Make sure to remove the sheet first thing in the morning to avoid any excess humidity.
Pests
Pest control and protection are equally as important as weather protecting your plants. Pests can destroy a crop in no time and can be unstoppable if they aren’t caught quickly. There are also a variety of pests from insects to pets to wild animals and birds. The very first thing to do is research, find out which pests are most prevalent in your area. Depending on who you are protecting your weed from the protection method will change.
Sterilising soil and using sterilised fertiliser is always a good idea to ensure there are no insect eggs present that will hatch and destroy the plants. Soil can be sterilised at home by heating it past the point that the eggs or larvae can survive. Once the soil has been sterilised we will need to use some fertiliser to improve the nutrients being delivered to the plants. Removing the issue of eggs is one aspect of sterilising, but it will also remove any mould or disease present in the soil waiting to spread to the cannabis plants.
We can also throw our own predators in, ones that won’t eat the plants but will eat the plant-eaters. Ladybirds are a great friend to cannabis plants as they will eat all and any other pests that come calling. Putting out a birdhouse or bird feeder is also good as most birds want to eat bugs much more than they want to eat plants.
My favourite method is the use of companion plants to repel the pests. There are a bunch of plants that we can add to our cannabis garden to keep everything from bugs to bunnies and deer at bay. Any of the following plants are perfect for protecting marijuana:
- Basil – Keeps away aphids, flies and beetles.
- Mint – The odour keeps away pests and is often used to mask the smell of the cannabis plants.
- Garlic – Protects against both pests and mould.
- Beans – Provide the cannabis plants with extra nitrogen.
- Marigolds – Most animals that would eat marijuana will usually go for the marigolds when given the choice.
- Chillis – These are great for larger predators like rabbits and will also protect plants from rot.
If companion plants aren’t working the last bastion of pest repelling is using the urine of a predator. By spraying plants with the pee of something scarier the smaller pests will stay clear. It is possible to acquire bottles of animal urine online so don’t worry there is no need to go out and collect it yourself. This is ideal if you are having trouble with rabbits and other larger plant munchers.
These are just a few of the ways to protect outdoor plants. As always do plenty of research and ensure that you are planting the right kind of cannabis outdoors.
Remember: It is illegal to germinate cannabis seeds in many countries including the UK. It is our duty to inform you of this fact and to urge you to obey all of your local laws to the letter. The Vault only ever sells or sends out seeds for souvenir, collection or novelty purposes.
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