Growing Weed for Beginners: The ESSENTIAL Step-By-Step Guide to Success

Holaaaaaa, ami-grow! Or maybe you’re not an ami-grow yet? But by the end of this guide, you will be.

Because this is the ULTIMATE Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Weed for Beginners!

Knowing where to start growing cannabis as a complete greenie is daunting. Environments, gear, strains… Lighting, feeding, watering… Different growth stages and all the nuance that brings…

It’s a lot!

But this right here is The Weed Prof’s masterclass for first-time growers. From germination to harvest, everything that you need to take your plants from seed to wondrous weed is in this article.

Your first time growing weed doesn’t have to be perfect. But it can absolutely be a success with this beginner’s guide!

Don’t make your bud-babies an ami-no-show—be their ami-grow. This is The Weed Prof’s beginner crash course: how to grow weed 101.

And all our alumni… they gonna get hiiiigh!

A Prelude to Growing Weed for Beginners:
Environment, Equipment, Seeds, and Strains

The journey of growing your own weed has to begin somewhere.

It’s not a short journey. The process of mastering cannabis cultivation is equal parts science and art, topped off with a little magic. Practice begets progress, and progress begets dankier dank.

But all that practice-meets-progress has to start somewhere. That starting point is our ‘prologue’ to the beginner weed growers guide. Before we can break down the step-by-step of growing cannabis, we need to talk about staking out your grow setup:

1. 1. Preparing Your Growing Environment
2. 2. Choosing Your Growing Gear
3. 3. Selecting Seeds and a Strain

Mastering growing ganja is a lifetime journey: growing weed for the first time is even MORE daunting. But everything starts with preparation. Ready to make your plants thrive?

Let’s grow!

First, the environment: What’s the best way to grow weed?

Let’s set the stage for your leafy performers. Before we can even begin growing weed as a beginner, we have two key environmental selections to make: the location and medium.

Indoor vs outdoor weed is debate #1. Personally, I’d say there’s no right answer to this. There are clear benefits to both methods, of course. However, when discussing how to grow weed at home, it really comes down to your free space and project preferences.

Indoor growing (arguably the more popular choice with personal growers) is the more technical way to grow pot. But despite these technicalities, growing weed indoors is still an excellent pick for beginners! 

There’s a lot more gear involved (and thus a lot more research and experimentation required). However, in return, you get discretion, flexibility, and total control over your marijuana grow room’s performance and the ultimate output of your cannabis plants. 

By playing around with different indoor growing systems, gear, and settings, you can accelerate growth cycles, maximize yields, and fine-tune your setup in order to customize your cannabis’s traits, such as flavors, aromas, and potency.  Plus, your babies are well-protected from unpredictable climate shifts, freak weather, and any Nosy Nellies that might mess with your beginner weed-growing aspirations.

Meanwhile, outdoor growing swaps technicals for au naturale. Growing weed outside is also great for beginners, albeit for different reasons-

It’s low-cost and low-maintenance.

There are, of course, some inherent risks. Primarily, the weather, general environmental unpredictability, and increased exposure to pests (including snooping neighbors) add a few extra dynamic variables to your grow. However, crucially, growing cannabis outside is also much more forgiving than in indoor setups. The marijuana plants are bigger, heartier, more robust, and more forgiving of common problems beginner growers face.

Put simply, growing outdoors is the go-to choice if you prefer skipping the science and cutting straight to getting your hands dirty!

Debate #2 is the growing medium: soil vs hydroponic weed. Once again, this is framed well as the natural and low-maintenance option versus the technical and detail-oriented one.

Soil is the classical choice: it’s more forgiving of mistakes and thus great for beginners growing weed. It’s perfect if you’re after an organic grow with rich, natural flavor profiles.

Hydroponics, by contrast, skips soil entirely. It instead uses nutrient-rich water as a medium for faster growth and potentially higher yields. Much like indoor growing, for the technically minded, you have a lot more control. However, for beginners, growing hydroponic weed is definitely a much steeper learning curve.

Again, I wouldn’t say there’s an outright best way to grow weed from these options. It’s overall down to your mindset, preferences, and actual grow space. (There are even other mediums you can try, like coco coir growing solutions.)

But if I had to throw out a suggestion for beginners just getting into growing weed, it would be soil-grown in an indoor setup. Being able to grow year-round in indoor setups without relying on seasonal changes results in infinitely more practice and much more scalability as you level up. However, choosing soil keeps things much simpler overall than hydro!

As for all that pesky equipment you need to grow weed indoors? Well, I might just have a solution for making that simpler too. 🙂

Second, the equipment for growing weed: What do you need?

From here, I either need to send you on a rabbit hole of magnanimous proportions or give you the shortcut to fast, fantabulous results. Let’s do it the long way first: the equipment you need to grow weed as a beginner.

Outside setups are simple—Mama Nature handles much of the heavy lifting. There are only a few things you truly need as a beginner growing weed outdoors:

• Stuff for healthy soil. (So, essentials like nutrient kits, a pH meter, and pH-adjusting solutions.)
• Protective measures for your plants. (Things like pest deterrents and fencing.)
• And structural support. (Trellises, stakes, clip, ties, netting, etcetera.)

However, indoor setups require a more elaborate toolkit to mimic Mama Nature’s magnificence. At a bare minimum, you’ll need a good grow tent (or something similar) to control the environment, full-spectrum LED lights to replace sunlight, and fans to maintain airflow and regulate temperature and humidity levels.

However, that’s just the broad strokes, as painted with all the delicacy and care of a floor mop. For a much more extensive list of gear to research and rabbit hole on, here are the essentials for first-time growers as well as for more advanced setups.

Essential Equipment to Grow Weed for Beginners

Advanced Setups for Even More Bespoke Results

HOWEVER, what if I told you that you could skip the laborious process of setting up a grow tent and cut straight to the brass tacks? For that, I have the tools of the trade—simplified.

For beginners who are learning how to start growing weed from scratch, I recommend a complete, pre-packaged grow tent kit. Specifically-

I recommend the VIVOSUN Smart Grow Tent Kit and Complete System.

VIVOSUN makes fantastic products for beginner weed growers. While not a top-of-the-line grower’s brand, VIVOSUN merges affordability with quality AND accessibility in a way that’s spot-on for newbies.

VIVOSUN’s Smart Grow Tent Kit is the perfect example of this. It combines all the equipment you need for growing weed indoors into one package. More than that, it integrates smart technology—including intelligent app-based monitoring and controls—into the unit.

While assembling your grow setup piecemeal or even DIYing components can be more cost-effective, it’s a very high-maintenance way for beginners to start growing weed. Instead, an indoor grow kit combines everything you need into one complete purchase.

It’s hands-down one of the best ways to grow weed for total beginners PERIOD. If you’re starting from square one, scope out VIVOSUN’s Smart Grow Tent Kit…

So you can cut straight to the fun part! 😉

Lastly, seeds and strains: What’s the best weed for beginners to grow?

Ahh, choosing your perfect plant partner. Much like picking your real-life partner, this decision matters. After all, it’s infinitely better to consider this now rather than spend six months nurturing something only to realize you’ve committed to a lemon!

Not all cannabis strains are created equal; some are just way more beginner-friendly than others. Choosing the wrong strain won’t instantly ruin your results, but it will make your first time growing pot at home a lot harder than it needs to be.

If you’re just starting out growing, look for cannabis strains that:

1. 1. Are hardy, low-maintenance, and forgiving of rookie mistakes.
2. 2. Perform well in your chosen setup.

Doing so gives you easy-to-nurture cannabis plants that are generally more resistant to pests, mold, and environmental fluctuations.

To get you started, I’ve listed several of my strain choices. This is what I consider to be the best weed to grow for beginners, versatile across all setups (indoor, outdoor, soil, and hydro), and with some other unique benefits too.

See what you think. If you want to know more, just click the link to read our full strain review!

Where Do You Buy Cannabis Seeds?

Seed banks, baby! Online seed banks are exactly where to buy marijuana seeds. They are specialized organisations that collect, store, and sell cannabis seeds (alongside other handy products like nutrient products and grow kits).

It really is just as simple as checking out their platforms and browsing their stock, just the same as window shopping for a new pair of sneakers and seeing what fits your preferences. You can browse by strain, THC/CBD content, effects, and even growing characteristics. And all without ever leaving the house!

There are a number of top-tier seed banks that you can check out online. However, The Weed Prof ALWAYS recommends ilgm.com. (I Love Growing Marijuana!)

With nearly 15 years of experience serving US and international customers alike, ilgm.com has garnered a glowing reputation within the growing space. Above all, they prioritize happy shoppers with customer-centric policies, fantastic quality assurance, and even a whole slew of free resources to help you in your growing journey.

(And, yes! They ship stealthily and discreetly. 😉)

Honestly, I’d just say when you start shopping for weed seeds, check out their storefront. If not ilgm, there are plenty of other providers on the market. But honestly, one look at their flash sales, and you’ll see why they’re such a hit with the herbalists.

Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide to Growing Weed:
The Prof’s 101 Masterclass in Cannabis Cultivation

Ok—key selections complete! With a setup and strain in hand, you’re now ready to learn how to grow cannabis right from the comfort of your couch. 

From here, we’ll be focusing on the 101 of growing weed, step-by-step, for beginners. Growing dope dope, with all its science, arts, and tradesmanship, is a layered pursuit. Expect many areas that you need to practice or pursue mastery in as you level up.

However, mastery is not the goal of this beginner’s weed-growing guide. The goal is clear, actionable, simple steps for success. (If you want to skip ahead, just click the link below!)

• Step 1: Prepping the Setup
• Step 2: Germinating the Seeds
• Step 3: Watering and Feeding
• Step 4: Managing Grow Lighting
• Step 5: Pruning and Training Plants
• Step 6: Deterring Pests and Disease
• Step 7: The Flowering Stage
• Step 8: Harvesting, Storing, and Curing

Cultivating cannabis from seeds is hard to master but easy to start… So let’s turn those seeds into big, buxom, bountiful… buds!

Step 1: Prepare the Cannabis Environment and Grow Setup

Step #1: you’ve chosen your player.

Now, prep the playground!

Step 2: Germinate the Seeds, Nurture Yo’ Cannababies!

Seeds ready? Good. It’s time to germinate those little legends and get them growing!

Gentle persistence tinged with violent optimism is how you grow weed from seeds. Your seeds need moisture and warmth as the basics, and then a good dose of TLC does the rest—consistent, persistent, and violently loving.

For germination, keep your canna-baby seeds damp but not soaking. (Don’t kill them with kindness.) For the climate, double-check your strain’s germination preferences, however, 70–78°F (21–26°C) with 70-90% humidity is generally the sweet spot. 

Monitor the moisture levels, maintain a steady climate (as most modern strains are bred for consistent germination conditions), and just keep loving them.

Most of your seeds will sprout in 3-10 days, though some strains like to take their time. And some will just never flourish! Don’t stress and maintain violent optimism: it’s all just part of the process.

While there are a number of ways to germinate weed seeds, here are a few of the most common and accessible methods for beginner growers:

• Paper towel method: For this, all you need is two damp paper towels, a plate, and some plastic wrap! It’s a super cheap and easy way to start growing weed for beginners. 
• Direct planting: Stick your seed straight into the soil (or your preferred growing medium). This method of germination takes longer but eliminates the need to transplant the seeds once they sprout.
• Soaking in water: Drop seeds in a glass of water until they crack open—usually 24-48 hours. However, you then need to plant them straight away, so this method can be more unforgiving.
• Starter cubes or plugs: Pop your seeds into pre-moistened starter cubes (like Rockwool Grow Cubes). This method is great for beginners and even better for hydroponic setups.

How to Plant Weed Seeds

Then, once your babies are peeking through, it’s time to plant those suckers! (With love.)

Ultimately, germination and sprouting are some of the trickier growing stages of weed plants for beginners. If it feels like a hassle or overwhelming, cloning is a solid backup option. 

Cloning is essentially snipping a cutting from a mature plant and rooting it instead of growing it from seeds. You’ll get an exact replica of the OG plant, however, there is some extra gear and know-how required for this process, making it less ideal for total rookies growing weed for the very first time.

Personally, I’d say face your fears. Make some mistakes! Learn to germinate and plant weed from seed.

After your first time, it’s not nearly as hard as it seems. Plus, admittedly, there is something very therapeutic about fully rearing your bud from birth.

Step 3: Watering, Nutrients, and Feeding

Cannabis plants, unlike stoners at a buffet, have specific watering and feeding needs. They thrive on consistency, balance, and moderation. (So, realistically, the polar opposite of stoners at a buffet.)

You need to give them just enough of what they need without overdoing it. Water them regularly, but avoid drowning their roots—overwatering is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

 As for nutrients, cannabis plants love the basics. While there are a lot of pre-packaged fertilizer products and nutrient solutions for growing weed, you’re primarily looking to harness the power of the Green Dream Team: “NPK”.

1. 1. Nitrogen (N): Vital for leafy growth and overall plant health.
2. 2. Phosphorus (P): Supports healthy root development, flower production, and the plant’s energy transfer.
3. 3. Potassium (K): Supports water regulation and the plant’s overall metabolism while improving bud density during flowering.

These are the Three Amigos of growing potent pot! However, it’s also important to note that nutrient needs shift as your cannabis plant grows. For example, more nitrogen is generally needed during the vegetative stage, and then more phosphorus and potassium during the flowering stage.

Ultimately, exact feeding and watering requirements depend on your strain; always check strain-specific guidelines for best results. And to keep things easy as a beginner:

1. 1. Use the Advanced Nutrients Grow, Micro, and Bloom 3-Part Solution. Advanced Nutrients is a leading cannabis fertilizer brand, and this is their beginner-friendly, perfectly ratioed, complete nutrition system for the entire lifecycle of a weed plant.
2. 2. Using the accompanying Advanced Nutrients feeding calculator, purposefully designed to accompany their solutions.

There are plenty of other products out there as well as the option of custom mixing your own cannabis feeding schedule. However, the above combination seriously simplifies and optimizes feeding requirements for first-time growers.

And finally, remember that weed plants grown indoors or outdoors also differ in their nutritional needs!

Step 4: Lighting Requirements for Growing Weed (Artificial vs Natural)

Light is life for cannabis; it’s their favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (And sometimes a sneaky midnight snack too.) No matter whether you’re using artificial grow lights or the sun’s rays, there is one secret sauce for any beginner’s guide to growing weed.

You MUST provide… 

1. 1. The right type of light…
2. 2. And the right amount of light…

…for your plants to thrive!

Lighting needs also change depending on what growth stage your weed plant is in. For example, generally speaking, seedlings and vegging plants love long, bright days (16–20 hours). Meanwhile, flowering plants need a much stricter 12/12 light-dark cycle to bloom.

However, the exact specifics of these needs change per cannabis strain and genetics. Timing, intensity, and consistency are key to good grow lighting. As always, better research equals better results!

Step 5: Pruning and Training Your Plants for Maximum Yield

No Pokemon trainer worth their salt sends their ‘mons into battle unstoked and unprepared. The best trainers battle their ‘mons. They train them; they level them up. Sometimes, they even give them haircuts!

Much the same, training and pruning are vital, not-to-be-skipped steps of growing weed. By doing so, you…

• Maximize light exposure.
• Improve airflow around the plant.
• And support better bud development. 

For beginner weed growers, starting with general pruning and easy-to-learn training techniques is best to keep things simple.

General pruning involves removing unnecessary leaves and branches, usually starting at the bottom of the plant (i.e., the “undercarriage”). From here, trim any unproductive growth, like all those stubby, underdeveloped branches and leaves, to improve airflow and focus the plant’s energy on its canopy and bud production. 

You also want to trim any yellowing or dead leaves, as well as spread out or prune any fan leaves (i.e., the big, quintessential-looking weed leaves) that block light from lower branches. However, avoid over-pruning. Slow, steady, and gradual pruning is best, especially in early growth stages. The majority of pruning occurs during the marijuana plant’s vegetative stage, and excessive pruning outside of that will just stress your baby out.

As for training a weed plant for maximum battle supremacy, it’s best to stick to basic techniques until you yourself have leveled up. Here are a few beginner training techniques for growing weed best done during the vegetative stage:

• Low-Stress Training (LST): Gently bend and tie down branches (primarily, the dominant top branches) to create an even canopy. This improves light distribution and encourages more bud sites to develop.
• ScrOG (Screen of Green): Use a net or screen to guide your cannabis plant’s growth horizontally. As branches grow through the screen, you can spread them out to create a flatter, more even canopy that maximizes light exposure.
• Topping: Pinch or cut off the main stem’s tip to encourage the plant to instead grow two main colas. This boosts yield with minimal effort, however, it’s a trickier, higher-stress technique—timing is key to topping!

These three are the most common methods of training a weed plant, and the most beginner-friendly. With practice, you’ll nail them and be moving on to more advanced techniques before long, Grasshopper. (You can see them in action in this instructional video.)

However, it’s worth noting that different strains of weed respond better or worse to various training methods. As always, research first for a more rewarding harvest.

Step 6: Managing Common Cannabis Pests and Diseases

Nothing is more of a buzzkill for budding buds than pests and diseases. It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing weed indoors or outdoors: beginners MUST stay vigilant against common cannabis problems and pests. Culprits like spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew, and bud rot (among a myriad of others) enjoy your dope just about as much as you do!

Indoor growers should focus on climate control. While there are fewer pests indoors, poor ventilation and climate control will kill your vibe damn quick. Mismanaging the climate, and particularly humidity levels, creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Sanitation is also key indoors. Sneaky bastard pests easily make their way in on dirty tools and shoes, so clean your grow tent, tools, fans, filters, shoes, entry points, and everything else regularly. This further deters mold and pests, and you can even booby trap your grow space with sticky traps and organic sprays like neem oil as another layer of defense against unwanted visitors.

Try these products:

• Smart Grower Neem Oil Spray (with peppermint for extra protection!)
• Sticky Insect Traps for Plants

But while climate control and sanitation are the priorities of indoor setups, unwanted visitors are the primary antagonists for outdoor growers. Climate control is more out of your hands, but you’ll need to instead combat a wider variety of pests, such as caterpillars or thrips.

Neem oil and sticky traps still help. However, you can also fight nature with nature!

Ladybugs and praying mantises are natural pest managers—either encourage them to hang out near your plants, or just buy and release a buttload into your garden. Monitor for pests on leaves and stems, and treat infestations early with organic options like insecticidal soaps. 

Neem oil is safe when applied carefully and correctly, but avoid full-blown pesticides as they kill beneficial bugs (and pesticide-cannabis is just gross). Instead, use mulching and companion planting (e.g., marigolds or basil) as other natural methods to deter pests.

One way or another, prevention IS the best medicine. Keep your plants clean, healthy, and stress-free so they’re more equipped to fend off pests and diseases. With vigilance, you can nip issues in the bud (hurhur) before they wreck your harvest.

Step 7: The Flowering Stage

Wooooo, flowering! If you’ve made it this far, then it’s fair to say you know how to grow bud. Now you just need to know what to do with it. 😉

The flowering stage is where the magic of marijuana happens. Your plants start developing those sticky, fragrant buds, and the salivating ensues.

The flowering period begins when a weed plant shifts from primarily growing leaves and stems to instead producing flowers (buds). On average, for most strains of marijuana, this is after about 6–8 weeks of the vegetative stage. However, this varies wildly, so check your strain’s stats!

Ensure you also adjust your growing processes for this sensitive flowering stage. Gradually reduce nitrogen in the feeding schedule and increase phosphorus and potassium proportionally. Also, watch your plants carefully and ensure they have enough headroom—most stretch (grow taller) during the first few weeks of flowering.

Beyond that, there are a few more specifics to consider for flowering:

Step 8: Harvesting, Drying, Curing, and Storing Your Buds

Ok, beginner bestie, the weed has been grown. The flowering stage has been navigated. And all those beautiful, buxom buds are ripe for the picking…

It’s harvest time!

Learning how to grow weed from seeds to harvest is already a nuanced game. But the nuance doesn’t stop there. Once the buds are ready, it’s time to collect! However, harvesting is more technical than just chopping and drying like a fever-struck Edward Scissorhands. First, we need to discuss your timing.

Examine your buds’ trichomes closely, even using a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe. You’re looking for milky-colored buds, with a few amber-shaded ones between. If the trichomes are too clear, it’s too early to harvest your cannabis plants. Meanwhile, too much amber on the buds indicates a heavier, sedative effect.

You can also check the plant’s pistils, even without a magnifying glass. When most have darkened and curled inward, your buds are likely very ready.

Once ready, it’s time to grab your best pair of bud trimmers and get to work! For most beginner growers, I recommend cutting the entire plant at the base for easier processing. However, if you have a very large plant or unevenly matured buds, you can also harvest in stages, cutting branches or sections as they ripen. 

Start by removing large fan leaves to make trimming easier. Then, you have two main methods of trimming weed:

• Wet Trimming: Trim the sugar leaves immediately after harvest while the plant is still fresh. This method is faster and reduces drying space, but is a lot messier and stickier thanks to the wet buds and resin.
• Dry Trimming: Hang the plant to dry whole before trimming. This method results in a slower drying process, but it also helps preserve terpenes and cannabinoids while reducing the overall mess.

When trimming (unless utilizing a trimming machine), use sharp, clean trimmers to carefully remove sugar leaves without damaging the buds. Follow the natural shape of the buds to create a clean and compact appearance. You’re aiming to remove excess plant material while leaving the sticky, resinous parts of the buds intact; this results in both the best recreational experience and presentation of the final product.

Drying Your Harvested Weed

Once you’ve harvested your cannabis, it’s time to dry it! This part is pretty simple: it’s just a little bit of climate control and a lot of playing the waiting game.

1. 1. Trim the large fan leaves (if you haven’t already).
2. 2. Hang the branches upside down in a cool, dark, and ventilated space. Ideally, you want the area to be about 60°F (~15°C) with 55–65% humidity.
3. 3. Let the buds dry for 7 days minimum, up to a total of 14. Indicators that your bud has dried enough include stems that snap rather than bend and a shift from a ‘wet grass’ smell to a proper, potent hit of the terpene profile.

It’s worth noting that outdoor-grown buds sometimes also dry faster due to denser structures or residual environmental moisture. Keep a close eye on them in particular.

Curing Your Dried Buds

Curing comes next! Worst case scenario (i.e., utter desperation), you could skip curing if you’re just growing weed for yourself. However, curing processes the chlorophyll present in cannabis. It enhances the weed’s flavor and aroma while boosting its potency and shelf life, resulting in a much better smoke overall.

Basically, if you’ve made it this far as a beginner growing weed at home, don’t trip over yourself on the home stretch—cure your buds!

1. 1. Place the dried buds into airtight glass jars (not plastic). Fill the jars about 75% of the way in order to maintain airflow.
2. 2. Store the jars in a dark, cool space, opening them once or twice a day (5–15 minutes each time) for the first 1–2 weeks. This process is called “burping” (lol) and is to release excess moisture buildup.
3. 3. Cure for 2–4 weeks total for the best results. Curing for even longer, up to a total of 6 weeks, can further enhance the nugz’ flavor and smoothness.

Storing Your Weed Properly

Lastly comes storage! Cured buds should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. (Ideally, again, in that 60–70°F/15–21°C range.)

Also avoid bumming your buds out with direct light, excess heat, and high humidity, which degrade cannabinoids and terpenes. There are plenty of storage solutions for bud that you can buy online, but honestly, you get a lot of mileage out of a well-sealed glass jar. I’ve left my weed untouched in them for 6+ months before. The only thing the nuggets copped was some standard aging and potency degradation.

As a bonus tip, you can even add a humidity control pack to the storage container or its environment to maintain optimal moisture levels and prevent mold. Proper storage ensures your weed stays fresh, potent, and enjoyable for months…

Or maybe even years. 😉

A Note About Sanitization!

For the above process, and really throughout all the steps of growing weed outlined in this beginner’s guide, ALWAYS prioritize hygiene and sterilization. Clean your growing gear and space; clean your trimmers; clean your drying rack; clean your curing and storage jars. Clean your damn shoes!

Much like a surgical theatre, your weed-growing space and equipment should be kept pristine and free of outside pathogens. Poor sanitization is a surefire shortcut to an inferior final product.

A clean stoner is a savvy stoner. 🙂

How to Grow Weed at Home:
Last Tips and Need-to-Know Information

Well done, Grow-hopper. You’ve just consumed the COMPLETE 101 of how to grow weed. But before you dive into your first grow, I want to wrap things up with some final tips about cannabis cultivation.

Whether cultivating a personal stash or aiming for a bumper harvest, these last nuggets (of wisdom) will set you up for success!

7 Beginner Tips for Growing Weed (Like a Pro!)

It just got even easier for beginners to grow weed!

1. 1. Know the Laws: Research the legalities of growing weed in your state or country. Rules vary widely, so either staying compliant or incognito will save you a mammoth migraine.
2. 2. Invest in Quality Genetics: Are they cheap cannabis seeds or just genetic wastes of your time? When learning to grow cannabis from seeds, invest in high-quality shizz from the outset. You’ll get a lot more practice with buds, not duds.
3. 3. Check Water Quality: Much like keeping your grow space and tools clean, water hygiene also matters for your plants. Tap water can contain chlorine or other impurities. Using filtered or dechlorinated water makes for much healthier plants overall.
4. 4. Scout for Pests and Stress Regularly: Even in a controlled indoor setup, pests can easily sneak in.—a quick daily check might just save your plants. Look for the early signs of stress (curling leaves, discoloration, drooping, etc.). Prevention is the best cure!
5. 5. Plan for the Smell: Growing cannabis is pungent, so invest in high-level odor control (e.g., top-rated carbon filters for growers). That goes double if discretion is important.
6. 6. Outdoor Growers, Consider Cleaning Your Buds: Outdoor-grown weed often picks up dust and dirt particles on the buds. If that happens, just clean your buds before you dry them.
7. 7. Learn as You Grow, Document It, and Be Patient: Mistakes are just a part of the process! Make them; keep a grow journal of your steps and missteps; don’t rush—trust the process. The road from student to sensei is all about the journey.

Harvest Time, Cooking With Cannabis, and Using All Your Byproducts

One last note about harvesting: don’t waste your byproduct!

Growing entire cannabis plants means you get a whole lot of plant to play with. Stems and fan leaves, though not loaded with THC, are still ripe for making a number of products:

• Alcohols
• Tinctures
• Teas
• Juices
• Light concentrates
• Or even for composting (to continue the cycle of growing!)

More than that, kief—the “weed dust” that collects in your grinders, trimming trays, and on your grow room floor—is MASSIVELY potent. Knowing how to catch and use kief seriously maximizes the bang of your buck when growing your own weed. You can turn kief into other concentrates, such as hash, or add it to your smokes for a massive hit.

Make sure you’re catching and collecting kief during the trimming stages. A kief box or screen is particularly good for this.

Finally, consider cooking with cannabis! Making edibles is a great use of freshly grown bud. It’s an even better use for all those byproducts. It’s  surprisingly easy to make cannabutter or canna-oil, and then from there, it’s just a matter of baking your fave recipes.

Oral consumption offers a different kind of high. It lasts longer and also has unique medicinal benefits. Even if not with your harvested nuggets, I definitely recommend giving cannabis cuisine a try with your other byproducts.

After all, growing weed isn’t just about getting groovy. It’s about experimentation, having more control over your strains and experience, and even learning to live in greater harmony with your favorite psychoactive herb. Not making FULL use of your FULL plant is 100% a classic beginner grower’s mistake.

Maximize your harvest. Explore creative uses. Getting the most bang for your bud!

Common Beginner FAQs About Growing Cannabis

The most important question of the day is “How do you grow your own weed?”. But then… we’ve already answered that. 😉

However, beginner weed growers will no doubt have a lot of questions! Here are the answers to a few more of the most common culprits.

Growing Weed for Beginners…
Summing Up!

All done! Have you got more beginner questions about growing weed that I didn’t address? Just ask in the comments down below—I’ll be sure to answer them!

After all, this is the ULTIMATE weed-growing guide for beginners. It’s a one-stop, no-slop content-shop of everything you need to know to start growing your own weed the right away.

So ask the questions. Bookmark this guide. Come back to it anytime! You’re always welcome here, ami-grow.

Just remember that growing weed for beginners, intermediates, and even experts is always a process of learning. Make mistakes, record results, and keep on practicing. Even a lackluster attempt will still net you some tasty buds.

And then, with a little mastery, you’ll be growing the goods, cooking the cannabutter, and rolling the best joints in no time, just like any seasoned veteran.

In summary, you can do it! The first step is just to try… And then it’s only up from there. 🙂