How to Dry Outdoor Pot Plants

Outdoor pot plants can be a great addition to your garden or balcony, but what happens when the growing season is over? Drying your outdoor pot plants is an excellent way to preserve them for later use. In this article, we will guide you through the process of drying outdoor pot plants.

Choose the Right Time to Harvest

The first step in drying your outdoor pot plants is to harvest them. However, it's essential to choose the right time to do this. Your plants should be harvested when the buds are mature but have not yet opened. You can tell that your buds are mature when the trichomes turn cloudy or amber.

Harvesting too early will result in buds with low potency, while harvesting too late will cause the THC to degrade. So, keep a close eye on your plants and harvest them at the right time.

Trim Your Plants

Once you have harvested your plants, it's time to trim them. This step involves removing the leaves, stems, and other unwanted materials from the buds. You can use a pair of scissors or a trimming machine for this purpose.

Make sure to remove all the leaves around the buds and the stems that do not have trichomes. Trimming your plants will help them dry faster and make it easier to store them.

Dry Your Plants

The next step is to dry your plants. You can use a drying rack or hang them upside down in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated area. Avoid drying your plants in direct sunlight or high humidity as it can cause mold and mildew growth.

The ideal temperature for drying your plants is 60-70°F. It's crucial to keep the temperature and humidity level consistent to ensure the best drying result. Allow the plants to dry for about a week, or until the stems snap off easily.

Cure Your Plants

Curing your plants is the final step in the drying process. It involves storing the dried buds in airtight containers, such as glass jars, for a few weeks to a few months. Curing helps to enhance the flavor, aroma, and potency of your buds, making them more enjoyable to smoke or consume.

To cure your plants, place them in the airtight container without packing them too tightly. Store the container in a dark and cool place, such as a cupboard or a closet. Open the container once a day for the first week, then every few days after that to release any excess moisture that may have accumulated.

The Bottom Line

Drying your outdoor pot plants is an easy and effective way to preserve them for later use. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your plants are harvested, trimmed, dried, and cured correctly. Remember, the quality of your final product depends on how well you handle these steps, so take your time and do it right.