The final phase of cultivation when the cannabis plant is chopped down.
Autumn is the best time of year to harvest weed in the north.
Harvest is when I get to reap the rewards of my labor.
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
When to harvest marijuana
Weed harvesting begins with knowing the right time to harvest. The white pistils on female marijuana plants will turn brown when it's time to harvest. You can also examine the trichomes and see if these sticky, crystal-like structures have turned the telltale amber. In the Northern Hemisphere, the best marijuana harvest time for outdoor cannabis crops is in October and November, though exact timing varies between cultivars. Experienced growers time the exact moment and processes of harvesting marijuana plants to maximize their flower's tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) content, as well as their full terpene profile.
How to harvest weed
Once you've determined that your weed is ripe to harvest, put on a pair of gloves, take your shears and cut the entire plant at the bottom. Be careful not to touch the buds as you can dislodge the THC that will give you the psychoactive “high” effect when you light up. After cutting, hang wire from the ceiling where you will leave your weed to air dry for 10 to 14 days. It is important for your environment to be low in humidity so that mold is discouraged from growing and you cultivate the strongest cannabis yield possible.