How To Set Up Your Marijuana Greenhouse
Let’s say you woke up one day and decided to grow your own marijuana at home. The lightbulb in your head is shining brighter than ever before — it’s a genius idea, after all. Cultivating your own marijuana may save you a lot of money in the future as you’ll be spending less at seed banks and dispensaries. You may even wind up selling your own stash for additional income.
The only thing holding you back in this moment is the actual setup. Your marijuana plants need a home, like a greenhouse. In this article, you’ll learn tips and tricks on how to set up the very best greenhouse so your plants are left happy and healthy.
Hold Up, Not So Fast…
As a beginner, our best advice is to keep things simple. Don’t overcomplicate the greenhouse. The first decision you have to make is what material you want to build your greenhouse out of. Metal frames are more expensive than wooden ones, but most reliable as they’re less likely to catch on fire or fall down during harsh weather. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons here.
If you’re unsure about how committed you are to growing marijuana, start with the more wallet-friendly option — wooden frames. You will need material that can withstand snow, wind, and other climatic conditions. Don’t jump into building a greenhouse without setting a realistic budget first.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Location is everything when it comes to a greenhouse. If your greenhouse doesn’t come in contact with direct sunlight, you might as well stop building right now. A greenhouse that faces sunlight can cut down costs of electric lighting. That being said, you’ll likely still need some form of artificial lighting on those overcast and cloudy days.
Your greenhouse should ideally benefit from both natural and artificial lighting. In terms of space, one marijuana plant usually requires 1 liter (33.8 ounces) for every 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) of plant height. The beginning stages of a greenhouse may seem like one giant math problem but we promise it gets easier once you determine the proper size.
Over And Under Exposed
No one likes being exposed all the time. Every now and then, you’ll need to dress up your greenhouse in clothes to keep your marijuana plants as healthy as possible. Greenhouses are naturally translucent and distribute an even amount of light. Still, you can choose to blackout your greenhouse for up to 12 hours a day if you wish to retain the 12-12 split of indoor cultivation. Some marijuana strains do better indoors without much exposure to sunlight. Here are a few examples of strains that crave a blackout (and are easy for beginners).
- White Widow (has great potency)
- Northern Lights (good for medicinal use)
- Bubba Kush (helps with sleep)
Go With The (Air) Flow
Go With The (Air) FlowNow let’s talk about ventilation. Another great perk of setting up a greenhouse is the control you get over the temperature and humidity of your growing conditions. Let’s say you live in Michigan where the winters are no joke — below freezing temperatures and knee-deep snow. With a greenhouse, your plants can still thrive thanks to their ability to retain heat.
Think of greenhouses as a Thermos for marijuana plants. Then in the summer months, when rain is scarce, greenhouses trap evaporation to provide more moisture in the air. Marijuana plants do not do well in dry climates as their soil needs constant hydration and water. Really, greenhouses do most of the work for you!
There are times, however, when the trapped evaporation gets to be too hot for your plants. That’s when ventilation is needed. You should be able to cool down your greenhouse with a vent. Or, you could have a plastic tubing setup that allows you to spray cooling water mists for extended periods. Marijuana plants are very much like people in that they don’t like being too hot or too cold. High maintenance divas, right?
Can You Keep A Secret?
Don’t mistake this section for any sort of shady behavior. Ergo, always check if it’s legal to grow marijuana to your city and state. The secret part has everything to do with security rather than illegal behavior. The entrance to your greenhouse should be secure to prevent wild animals (or total strangers) from wandering in and messing with your plants. You never know when a fox or rabbit is waiting around the corner.
Additionally, try to keep your greenhouse out of the public eye. You don’t want to attract much attention to it because, hello, people are nosey and curious. You want your greenhouse to be as discreet as possible to avoid potential run-ins with law enforcement who may come poking around. Even if it’s totally legal to grow marijuana in your city, you have to double (or triple) check that you’re complying with all regulations and insurance laws.
This Is A Commitment
Yes, a greenhouse takes a lot of the work of your shoulders, but you should never become complacent or lazy with the upkeep. You should always be looking for ways to adjust your greenhouse’s settings based on the time of year and how many marijuana plants you can. Marijuana plants, especially in the beginning, are like babies. They need constant care and attention. A greenhouse does not replace a grower.
If you come to find that setting up a greenhouse is not a lifetime commitment you want to make, there’s always the option of growing indoors in your home. We know tons of growers who have a dedicated grow room, either in their basement, laundry room, or covered balcony. Granted, this kind of setup requires different materials and resources. Just know that there are other options for marijuana growth than greenhouses.
So, tell us, are you ready to set up your dream greenhouse? Tag us in your pictures!
