Many outdoor cannabis growers use crop underplanting to help their plants thrive. These crops provide a wide range of natural advantages for the plant, including pest control, soil health, and even boosted flavor and aroma.
Companion planting can be especially useful for growing a photoperiod-independent (non-autoflowering) crop. When grown with the right genetics, these crops will not only make your cannabis harvest more efficient and tasty, but they can also help you avoid legal problems due to your crop being grown in public.
Companion Plants
Growing a cannabis garden with companion plants can help improve the quality of your crop and enhance its natural growth. It is a time-honored practice that dates back to ancient times, and has been used by indigenous peoples all over the world.
The best companion plants for cannabis can increase the potency and health of your harvest, as well as ward off unwanted pests. Companion plants can also improve the overall quality of your soil, which will benefit all your crops in turn.
Some of the best companions for cannabis include basil, lemon balm, dill, yarrow, and chamomile. These herbs are known to attract beneficial insects, protect cannabis plants from pests, and boost the flavour of your buds.
Besides increasing the oil and resin content of your buds, basil has a unique smell that will discourage pests. It also repels mosquitoes and gnats, which can keep your harvest safe.
Dill, which is part of the celery family, also has a pungent smell that repels caterpillars and spider mites. Its roots emit substances that feed nitrogen binding bacteria, boosting the soil’s ability to support your cannabis plants.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is another herb that’s great for attracting beneficial insects. It also protects your weed crop from mice and fleas.
It also repels hornworms, which can ruin your harvest. It also has the added advantage of keeping rabbits and deer away from your grow area.
This plant’s leaves are full of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, calcium and magnesium. It’s also a good source of copper and zinc, which makes it an excellent companion for your cannabis.
A beautiful, high-growing plant with fibrous flowers that can hide your cannabis in a pinch, sunflowers are also known to ward off pests and aphids. They’re also great for shady areas because they have deep roots that allow soil to breathe.
As a member of the legume family, clovers are good for soil structure and water penetration. They fix nitrogen into the soil, increasing global levels of it, and they attract beneficial predators and pollinators, such as bees and ladybugs.
Pest Control
If you are looking to avoid using pesticides for cannabis cultivation, crop underplanting is an excellent choice. These plants can help deter pests, increase your harvest, and protect the environment around your crop.
In addition to attracting beneficial insects and pollinators, these companion plants can also repel some common garden pests like spider mites and thrips. They also add nutrients to the soil that will benefit your plant growth and health.
Companion planting can be done with any crop, but is particularly beneficial when growing cannabis. It is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tool that is beneficial for organic growers who want to keep their crops free from harmful chemicals.
Marijuana is susceptible to a number of pests, such as insects, fungi, and bacteria. These pests can cause damage to your buds and decrease your yield.
One of the most effective ways to prevent pests from entering your greenhouse is to keep it clean. You can do this by installing air filters, dehumidifiers, and exhaust fans to ensure your grow room is properly ventilated.
Another important step in organic cannabis pest control is to monitor your grow for any outbreaks of insect or disease issues. This will allow you to take immediate action if necessary.
The best way to do this is to use a grow diary, such as the free Grow with Jane app. This app allows you to track the exact time that pests appear in your grow and how you handled them. It also helps you track humidity and temperature changes in relation to pest appearance.
If you do end up with a pest issue in your grow, it is important to catch them early and stay on top of treatment schedules. This is especially true when it comes to caterpillars, which can wreak havoc on flowering buds if left untreated.
In addition to catching pests early, you can use other IPM tools like good sanitation, regular monitoring, and choosing strains that are resistant to particular pests or diseases. Taking these measures will help you avoid pest problems altogether.
Natural Fertilizer
Natural fertilizer is a great way to ensure that your cannabis plants get all of the nutrients they need to grow. It also helps to maintain soil health, which can increase your yields.
There are a number of different types of fertilizers that you can use for your garden or indoor cannabis cultivation. These include store-bought nutrient solutions, home-made fertilizers, and even compost.
One of the best options is to use organic fertilizers. These are usually made with a combination of organic bases and mineral nutrients that can be easily absorbed by plants. This type of fertilizer can provide a full nutritional input and high quality, large yields.
They can also be very effective for hydroponics, as they can provide a wide range of micro and macro nutrients that can boost plant growth and maximize harvest time. They are also much less likely to cause toxicity issues than synthetic fertilizers, making them a good choice for home gardens.
In addition to being organic, these nutrients are designed with specific NPK ratios and micro and macronutrients for each stage of growth. This allows you to quickly correct any nutrient deficiencies that may arise during the growing process.
Using natural fertilizers is also an inexpensive way to grow marijuana, as they tend to be less expensive than store-bought nutrient solutions. Plus, they give you more control over what you feed your plants, which is always a good thing.
Some natural fertilizers that you can use for your cannabis crop include fish emulsion, worm castings, and manure. These are all great sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which your plants need to thrive.
Another type of natural fertilizer is bokashi, which is a type of composting that combines bacterial and aerobic cultures to break down waste and provide your plants with the nutrients they need. This method can also reduce your waste management costs.
Compost tea is an excellent fertilizer that is especially beneficial for cannabis. It increases nutrient cycling, which can help prevent disease and improve soil fertility. It also provides your marijuana plants with all of the important micro and macro nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.
Soil Health
Using crop underplanting for cannabis cultivation helps you achieve a healthy soil ecosystem that will grow strong, healthy plants. It also reduces tillage and reliance on synthetic fertilizers and nutrients, lowering costs for cultivators.
Soil health is essential to growing strong marijuana plants and is influenced by four factors: water retention and drainage, texture, pH, and microorganism diversity. It is important to select a potting soil that has a balanced composition of each of these factors and works well with the types of cannabis you are growing.
Clay pebbles are a great way to improve the structure of your potting soil and help it maintain good drainage. They also serve as a mulch, preventing excess evaporation and casting shade over the top layer of your soil, suppressing weeds and keeping beneficial microbes sheltered from the sun.
Another type of potting soil that will improve the health of your soil is loam. It is composed of a mixture of silt, sand, and clay and will strike a balance between water retention and drainage. It is a very common soil for growing marijuana, as it is incredibly rich in nutrients and minerals.
The ideal potting soil for growing cannabis should be slightly acidic, with a pH that ranges from 5.8 to 6.2. A pH meter will be useful for monitoring your pH levels, and you can adjust your fertilizer solutions to keep your soil in the right range.
If you’re looking for a more natural approach to building a soil mix, consider making your own compost tea. By soaking organic matter like compost and worm castings in an aerated bucket for 24-36 hours, you can create a liquid that’s full of nutrients and beneficial bacteria that will help your cannabis plants thrive.
Compost and worm castings are great sources of Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients that cannabis needs. They are also great food sources for beneficial bacteria and fungi that can help your plants thrive and stay healthy.
The best way to use these soil amendments is to add them throughout the growing cycle, and make sure they are high quality. This can include organic and natural fertilizers, soil conditioners, bacterial inoculants, and trace elements that are specially formulated for marijuana. Adding these soil amendments will help your cannabis grow healthy and strong, and you’ll see the impact they have on your harvests.
