Thanks to Prop. 64, which legalized recreational weed in California, adults over 21 can grow their own marijuana. Recreational users are allowed to cultivate no more than six marijuana plants for personal use. Medical marijuana patients with a valid MMJ card can cultivate six mature marijuana plants or 12 immature marijuana plants, according to HS 11358.
Home growers need to be weary of HS 11359 a section of the law which penalizes home growers cultivating “with the intent to sell” and do not have a business license. Basically, you can get in trouble for selling cannabis you grow at home without a license. This should come as no surprise.
It’s also important to note that even though recreational marijuana has been decriminalized in California, landlords are still allowed to ban the use and cultivation of cannabis in their building and around their properties. Cities can also prohibit the cultivation of marijuana outdoors but indoor gardens are generally permitted.
Legal aspects aside, home growers can look forward to gardening adventures and emerging tools for home growers of any skill level. High-tech tools like apps and moisture monitors can help kick off your cannabis cultivation but lower-tech methods of increasing yield are also worth trying.
Companion planting or growing different types plants together can help each plant thrive, act as a natural form of pest control and make for a more flavorful crop. In seasonal gardens, crop rotation and companion planting helps to ensure a year round harvest. Creating a mini-ecosystem by adding a little biodiversity to your cannabis garden might just spark your green thumb.
Basil, a fairly easy-to-grow herb, helps deter aphids, asparagus beetles, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms and whiteflies. This fast-growing herb can is also a great addition to any kitchen garden since this versatile herb can be used in everything from Italian and Thai cuisine to cocktails. Basil also grows well in a hydroponic system. Hydroponics are popular among home growers because plants grow in nutrient-enhanced water rather than soil.
Marigold is a commonly cited companion plant because it repels insects by releasing chemicals into the soil that are harmless to humans. It’s also thought to make other plants grow more heartily. Although the this claim isn’t backed by much credible research, many gardeners sweat by marigolds as a companion plant. These flowers are known as beneficial weeds and can add a pop of color to your garden and your dinner plate.
Royal Queen Seeds, a European cannabis breeding company, recommends planting dill along with cannabis. Dill can help repel spider mites, a cannabis-loving pest, and can help attract pollinators like honeybees. Dill self-seeds which means you won’t have to replant every year.
Lavender and other Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme can help attract pollinators like bees and keep fleas, ticks and mice at bay. Similarly, mint and sage can a garden flourish. These pungent herbs can also help mask or balance the smell of marijuana. This batch of herbs may also impart a slight flavor or scent to your cannabis plants.
