Essential Equipment You'll Need to Grow Cannabis

Congrats. You have decided you want to grow your own, whether for pleasure or profit. But before you can harvest your bud, you will be wondering what equipment is needed to grow cannabis. DripWorks is here to help with our primer on marijuana growing equipment. We'll give you the straight skinny on the essential equipment you will need to grow a fat cannabis crop.

Much will depend on whether you decide to grow your pot outside or indoors. If you choose to grow your pot outdoors, you will not need as much cannabis growing equipment as you would for an indoor grow, especially if you are just growing a small amount for personal use. Many marijuana growing equipment companies offer the products you will need, although in some cases you can make your own equipment if you are handy.

Just for Starters

But there are some things you will need whether you grow your cannabis outside or inside. You will have to get some seed starter plugs, jiffy pots, seed starting trays or other small containers, for starters, if you plan to grow your weed from seed.

You will also need larger containers you can transplant your growing pot plants into. These could be growing bags, garden pots, planters or any type of container that will let water drain through it. Although you can get away with a three-gallon container, many pot growers like to use five-gallon or bigger containers. The idea is that the more room you provide for the plants' roots, the bigger and healthier the plants will grow.

The Acid Test

Of course, you will need good soil if you plant it in pots or in a garden plot. Whether you put your pot plants in the ground or in containers, you should buy an inexpensive pH testing kit. The ideal pH for cannabis is 6.0 to 7.0. Once you determine your soil's pH, you can make it more acid or more alkaline with soil amendments.

Unless you live in a place where you get reliable rainfall during the growing season, you will have to decide on a way to irrigate your pot plants. Of course, if you grow your own indoors, you will have to supply water to them in lieu of Mother Nature.

For one or two plants, irrigation can be as simple as a bucket or a garden hose. For bigger grows, you will want to buy or build an irrigation system. Drip irrigation is a particularly smart way to go. It will cut your water consumption and bills while getting water to your precious plants exactly where they need it. Because drip irrigation does not broadcast water far and wide, it will not encourage weed growth, as many traditional watering systems do. In other words, a drip system will water the weed rather than the weeds. Drip irrigation systems specifically designed for cannabis growing are available.

Installing a timer to automate your drip system will make your life much easier. This device will free up your time to go to work or take a vacation without thinking about how to maintain your plants' watering schedule. Because you won't have to turn the water off manually, you won't have to worry about forgetting to take care of that. A timer will also turn the water on for the right amount of time at the correct time of the day, which is generally early in the morning when plants draw up water optimally.

Outside or inside, you will also want a good pair of sharp pruners or gardening shears. These are useful not only for pruning during the growing time but for trimming and harvesting.

If you are growing your weed indoors, other key equipment includes grow tents. You can find this cannabis grow equipment for sale or make it yourself. Although not necessary, a grow tent will help you control temperature, humidity and other crucial factors affecting your pot plants.

Indoor growing also requires grow lights to mimic the natural cycle of nights and days. Several types are available, including LEDs, fluorescent and HIDs. Many growers consider LEDs the best marijuana grow equipment for sale for lighting because of their energy efficiency and long life. Fluorescent and HID lights are more affordable alternatives, though.

If you are growing indoors, you should also consider using an oscillating fan to circulate air and discourage the growth of mold and mildew. Many growers also use humidifiers to help their plants grow better.