Outdoor Marijuana Grow Calendar

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Growing outdoors is the way to go for many growers out there. You don’t have to be concerned with expensive lighting and it’s a more natural way to grow your stash.

You do have to take into account your place on the planet and how this affects your grow season. For that purpose, I created this grow calendar for the United States and divided it into a northern- and southern states section.

Seeing that the marijuana plant has different needs throughout its lifespan, this Outdoor Grow Calendar covers the entire growing period.

It also considers average day lengths and temperatures per region, and info on when the flowering period starts outdoors.

What is this marijuana grow calendar?

This marijuana grow schedule will show you what to expect, and what to do when growing marijuana outdoors in the U.S.

Jump to the relevant month below if you live up north, or head to the southern grow calendar if you live in one of the southern states.

Grow Calendar – Northern States

We’ll start with the northern parts of the United States. Generally, the outdoor growing season in this part of the country does not officially begin until mid-May.

However, there’s plenty to do before that time comes. In fact, taking the time to prepare now, will make this season’s harvest even more bountiful.

Here’s the deal:

You can start preparing to grow in February, so there’s no reason to not get psyched for the upcoming season!

Be sure to also grab my free Grow Bible for more on growing outdoors.

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A Few Notes:

This section refers to the top half of the United States, including Alaska.
Averages are based on Seattle, Chicago, and New York
If you are growing on the northern West Coast, your springtime temperatures will be the warmer average, and your summer averages will be cooler than average
The most amount of sun is found in Alaska, with the Northwest coming in second

February

Average day length: 9.5 to 11.5 hours
Average temperature: 22 to 51 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 8.5 to 10.5 hours
Average temperature: -8 to 12 degrees

It’s cold outside but now is the time to prepare for the upcoming season. Here’s a little shopping list to get you started:

Pots
Soil (and possibly other mediums)
Watering cans, jerrycans, sprays, and anything you need for prepping and feeding your plants.
Plant nutrients
And of course; seeds

Many Northern growers choose Indica dominant plants because of the short growing season. Read the article “Best marijuana seeds for my climate” if you’re not sure what seeds grow best in your area

In places like New York and Boston, it may seem like the frosty, cold temperatures will never end. However, if you start your plants indoors, you can extend your growing period so that you can grow any strain. You can sprout your seeds indoors in a controlled environment with artificial light at the end of February.

What’s more, if you want to make clones, you should germinate your seeds at this time. Keep your mother plants inside until it’s warm enough.

Create a cozy indoor growing space with a CFL grow, 18 hours of sunlight and of course, some fresh air. Keep your grow area between 68 and 77 degrees. Check out “how to germinate marijuana seeds” for more on creating a cozy environment for germination.

At this point, you can also begin prepping your soil if you aren’t in Alaska or the Midwest. After the last frost, loosen up your soil by adding worms and compost.

These are some examples of strains that grow well in slightly colder climates:

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March

Average day length: 9.5 to 13 hours
Average temperature: 31 to 54 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 10.5 to 13 hours
Average temperature: 0 to 24 degrees

It’s starting to warm up on the coasts, and the days are getting very long around Seattle and Portland. Growing time is getting close. If you haven’t already ordered your seeds, do it now!

You should also have your mother plant ready by the end of this month if you plan to clone.

If you are ready to go, you can start sprouting your plants in a windowsill at the end of the month. Make sure they get some good sunlight and keep a good watch on the day length.

By this time, areas near Seattle are receiving more than 12 hours of sunlight, while Alaska has 13.

If you plan to grow two rounds of autoflowers this season you should definitely start sprouting those beans.

If you’re doing just a single round of autos you can best wait another month with germinating.

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However, most of the country will not have as much sunlight. In this situation, you can provide it for them. If your plants aren’t getting enough sunlight, set a lamp over your plant a few extra hours each day. That way, you won’t have to worry about premature flowering.

April

Average day length: 12.5 to 14.5 hours
Average temperature: 35 to 62 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 13.5 to 15.5 hours
Average temperature: 24 to 45 degrees

Congratulations, it’s April! That means flowers, followed by May showers. The middle of this month marks the beginning of long days, with everyone having at least 14-hour days by the end of the month. Once the days are that long, you will not need any more artificial lighting.

Your windowsill plants will not need any more help with light once the days reach 14 hours, and your seeds will find it easy to sprout.

By the end of the month, it’s safe to take your plants outside – especially if you are on the West coast.

Simply put them in a container and put them outside, bringing them indoors at night.

Midwest growers may want to make sure the risk of frost has passed first.

Alaskan growers will need to wait another month or place the plants in containers and bring them inside during cold nights.

If you created a mother plant, it’s time to make clones. Need help with that? The article “How to make clones” explains the process.

May

Average day length: 14 to 15.5 hours
Average temperature: 52 to 72 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 15.5 to 17.5 hours
Average temperature: 40 to 61 degrees

It’s finally Spring – even in Alaska. If you live on the Alaskan coast, it’s probably okay to start placing your plants outside. Stay vigilant for frost, of course.

The Alaskan interior should wait until the middle of the month – just to be safe.

If you have autoflowering seeds, you’ll begin sprouting them the second half of this month. They need three months of summer to grow. Given that in some parts of the Midwest and Alaska, that’s all the time you will have before the freezing temperatures return, so work quickly. Expect your harvest to be ready mid-August.

Also read The Best Places To Grow Marijuana Outdoors

Finding the best outdoor grow site requires a lot of planning. Gather information early on from other plants that can help you to securing your grow site.

June

Average day length: 15 to 16 hours
Average temperature: 54 to 81 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 18 hours
Average temperature: 52 to 71 degrees

June is when your plants will experience the most growth – especially between June 18th and June 24th. At this time, you’ll see your autoflowering plants grow rapidly as they begin to develop flowers. Your non-autoflowering plant will also speed up, thanks to the warming temperatures.

Here’s my full guide on what to keep in mind during the vegetative stage.

July

Average day length: 14 to 16 hours
Average temperature: 58 to 85 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 16.5 to 18 hours
Average temperature: 55 to 73 degrees

During this hot month, your autoflowing plants will develop large flower clusters, while some non-autoflowering plants will grow their first pistils.

If you decided to use feminized seeds (non-feminized), now is when you’ll need to start paying attention and check for male plants. Keep an eye on the side branches and quickly remove them. You’ll recognize the males because they will develop flowerheads at the root of the side branch. These flowerheads will look like two small balls resting on a short, thin stem.

Female plants, however, will have drop-shaped calyxes with two white pistils protruding from them.

See the above image for comparison.

August

Average day length: 13 to 15 hours
Average temperature: 58 to 84 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 14 to 16.5 hours
Average temperature: 49 to 66 degrees

Remember those autoflowers that sprouted back in late May? It’s now time to harvest them. Cut the flower heads and hang them upside down in a dark place to dry. Dry them at room temperature – don’t try to speed up the process by making it too hot. It should take about 10 days.

You’re done when the branchlet cracks when you bend it.

Here’s my full guide on drying your plants.

Near the end of the month, most areas will have less than 14 hours of sunlight. Alaska is the exception. Once this happens, non-autoflowering plants will begin their flowering phase.

Catch up on how to manage the flowering phase.

September

Average day length: 11.5 to 13.5 hours
Average temperature: 54 to 76 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 11.5 to 14 hours
Average temperature: 38 to 55 degrees

If you are growing non-autoflowering plants, (photoperiod plants) they will start developing more pistils and flowerheads at the beginning of this month. You’ll want to make sure they stay dry during this time – perhaps, build them a dry shelter, or take them indoors on moist days.

The wind can also be a problem during this month as the seasons start to change. In any case, prevent your plants from falling over by adding a net or using bamboo sticks.

Fall officially begins the end of this month, but it will be a slow transition on the West Coast and in Alaska as the sun tends to linger around a bit longer.

Be sure to read up on when and how to harvest your plants with our free mini harvesting guide

October

Average day length: 10 to 13 hours
Average temperature: 46 to 64 degrees

Alaska:
Average day length: 11.5 to 14 hours
Average temperature: 20 to 33 degrees

Autumn is officially here, and many outdoor-grown plants have bloomed. Unfortunately, this is a high-risk time for most northern growers. Especially in areas where it’s cold (Midwest and Alaska) or wet (Pacific Coast), you need to keep an eye out for bud rot.

If you notice any signs of bud rot (see above image), it’s time to harvest. An early harvest is better than none at all. Read more about bud rot in the article “How to prevent Bud Rot”.

Also, keep your eye on the temperatures. Jorge said it best:

“Many plants can take a short mild freeze (30-32°F). But of the temperature stays below freezing for more than a few hours, it could kill plants.” ~ Jorge Cervantes

Enjoy your harvest and, if you’re up to it, why not start an indoor grow over the winter!

Grow Calendar – Southern Edition

February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October

Just like growers in the northern states, by all means, get a head start. As I have said, you can start as early as February. Sure, the true outdoor growing season doesn’t begin until mid-May, but why wait? After all, there is a popular saying: “the early bird gets more bud,” or at least that’s how I remember it.

Click here to jump to the grow calendar for the northern states.

In the southern states, the last frost signals “go time”. After that, use this calendar to help plan the year’s grow season.

A Few Notes:

This section refers to the bottom half of the United States, plus Hawaii.
Averages are based on Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami
Southern West Coast growers can expect the most sun and the coolest average temperatures year-round.
Central areas will have the hottest summers, while the Southeast will experience the hottest spring and fall.
The shortest summer days are in Hawaii.