The idea of growing cannabis is alluring as you can access quality stash at home. It lets you save money and avoid dispensary trips. Not to mention, you know what you get when you cultivate on your own. But whether you are a home grower or commercial cultivator, you must prioritize sustainability.
Practicing eco-friendliness while growing cannabis can be challenging, specifically if you grow indoors. You require the right nutrients, lighting, and water to keep the crop thriving indoors.
Unfortunately, these requirements can lead to a considerable carbon footprint. But there are ways to go green and sustainable with little creativity and effort. Let us list them for you.
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Use Organic Products
Organic cannabis is great for conscious consumers, and it supports sustainable cultivation initiatives as well. Luckily, growing your crop without harmful chemicals is easier than you imagine. Start with the right nutrient choices, sticking with products labeled as organic.
The good thing about using organic pesticides and fertilizers is that you get quality cannabis on harvesting. You need not worry about it from a health perspective.
Conserve Water
A single cannabis plant requires several liters of water a day, which is one reason to worry for eco-conscious growers. You can take small measures to conserve water without compromising the growing conditions for your crops. Experts recommend effective ways to reduce the hydration requirements of your plants.
You can put hay around the planting beds. Likewise, mulch holds in the water for longer by slowing down the evaporation rates.
Provide Good Air Ventilation
Indoor plants, including cannabis, need to receive proper airflow to grow healthy. Indoor grow rooms need to mimic wind and other outdoor natural elements for cannabis plants to grow and develop properly. For instance, air circulation can help strengthen cannabis plants by slightly bending them to build stronger stems. So, how can you provide good air ventilation to your cannabis plants?
The most common ways to provide good air circulation for indoor cannabis plants include installing fans to distribute fresh air. Cannabis growers install extractor fans above the grow tents and vents or intake fans at the bottom. Commercial grow rooms use high-quality industrial fans for this purpose.
A dedicated grow room ventilation system is the latest technology to provide cannabis plants with good air ventilation. An excellent grow room ventilation system provides a controlled indoor vertical cannabis cultivation environment by regulating humidity, temperatures, and carbon dioxide levels. It helps ensure consistent, generous yield during the harvesting season.
The common problems indoor grow rooms face include mold, mildew, and pest infestation. A grow room ventilation system helps keep grow rooms clean, removing dirt, dust, and debris that attract pests. Hence, installing a reliable air circulation system is a mitigation measure to prevent these problems.
Reduce Energy Consumption
Indoor cultivation consumes a massive amount of energy because you cannot depend on natural sunlight. You have to invest in lighting solutions to ensure adequate illumination through various stages of marijuana growth. The best way to cut down energy consumption is by installing LED grow lights because they are energy-efficient.
While you may have to invest upfront, you can save a fortune on energy bills in the long run. Additionally, you get the benefit of a sustainable ecosystem.
Make Your Own Compost
When you grow cannabis, you have organic waste after harvesting. You can go ahead with sustainable cultivation by composting it for further growing ventures instead of throwing it out. Install a compost bin to dispose of the plant remains and the waste after trimming.
You will have a healthy feed for your next crop in a couple of months. There couldn’t be a better way to grow sustainably than creating a compost system at home and using it season after season.
Consider Hydroponics
If you want to go the extra mile with sustainable cannabis cultivation, consider the option of hydroponic farming. Essentially, hydroponic gardening is about growing crops in water instead of soil. The water is enriched with nutrients to nourish the plants. You can conserve space, soil, and resources with this technique. It is a more sustainable solution than traditional gardening.
Growing cannabis the greener way is possible, provided you take the right approach and follow the apt techniques. Focus on achieving more with less, but make sure you never compromise on quality.
