The Ultimate Guide to Harvesting, Drying, and Storing Home Grown Cannabis

Knowing when to harvest your outdoor cannabis is a blend of art and science. Several factors come into play:

1. Trichome Maturity
   The trichomes are tiny, crystal-like structures on the cannabis buds that contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD. To determine the right time for harvest, use a magnifying glass to inspect the trichomes. Harvest when they are mostly cloudy with some amber trichomes. Avoid harvesting when they are mostly clear, as this indicates premature buds, or when they are mostly amber, as this suggests over-ripeness. Premature harvesting results in undeveloped crop with low cannabinoid production (terpenes, THC/CBD, etc.). Late harvesting also results in lower cannabinoid content due to crop degradation.
2. Pistil Color
   Check the color of the pistils (hairs) on your cannabis buds. Harvest when most of the pistils have turned from white to reddish-brown. This change in color signals maturity.
3. Strain-Specific Information
   Different strains may have different harvest windows. Consult the breeder’s recommendations or strain-specific guides to get a better idea of when to harvest.
4. Weather Considerations
   Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If heavy rains or frost are predicted, it’s better to harvest a bit earlier to avoid damage to your buds.

Knowing when to harvest your outdoor cannabis is a blend of art and science. Several factors come into play:

1. Gather the Right Tools
   You’ll need sharp pruning shears or scissors, gloves, and containers for collecting the trimmed buds.
2. Sanitize your Tools
   Sanitize the tools with 70/30 mixture of isopropyl alcohol/water. Sanitization prevents cross-contamination of your crop with bacteria, mildew, and mold that could spoil your harvest.
3. Choose the Right Time of Day
   You’ll need sharp pruning shears or scissors, gloves, and containers for collecting the trimmed buds.
4. Trim the Buds
   Trim the buds from the branches, leaving a small stem. Be gentle to avoid damaging the trichomes.

Proper drying is crucial to preserving the flavor, potency, and quality of your cannabis. Follow these steps:

1. Hang Dry
   Hang the trimmed buds upside down or use drying racks in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. Make sure there is enough space between them to allow for proper airflow.
2. Monitor Humidity and Temperature
   For optimal drying conditions, maintain a temperature between 15 to 21°C (60–70°F) and a humidity level of 45–55%. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and a thermometer to track temperature.
3. Test your Crop
   If you want to test your buds to see the fruits of your labour. Fresh flower can be submitted to a professional analytical testing lab, like PPB Analytical, for cannabinoid and terpene profiling tests. By requesting a Loss on Drying test, the moisture content of your buds can be determined and a correction factor applied to obtain the true cannabinoid and terpene levels in your dried crop. Standard turn around times for analytical testing is 5 days, so you’ll have results by the time your crop is dry. Testing fresh flower will best reflect the cannabinoid and terpene content of your strain.
4. Check Buds Daily
   Check your buds daily for mold, mildew, or over-drying. Gently squeeze the buds to assess their dryness. They are ready for the next stage when the smaller stems snap, but the larger ones bend.

Once your cannabis is properly dried, it’s time to store it for long-term freshness:

1. Choose the Right Containers
   Use airtight glass jars, like mason jars, to store your buds. Avoid plastic bags, as they can leach chemicals and negatively affect the flavor.

2. Keep It Dark
   Store your jars in a cool, dark place away from direct light, as UV rays can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes.

3. Control Humidity
   Use humidity packs to maintain a consistent humidity level of around 58-62%. This helps prevent mold and keeps your cannabis fresh.

4. Loss over Time
   Inevitably, some of the cannabinoids and terpenes will be lost the longer you store your crop. That beautiful smell from your buds as they dried and every time you open a container are volatile organic compounds (usually terpenes) escaping from your crop. Testing your dried crop will best reflect the cannabinoid and terpene content of the product you consume.

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