Environmental Impacts Of Marijuana Cultivation
By Alan Wood
The methods used for marijuana cultivation has long been a topic among growers, especially when it comes to how it impacts the environment. Although a lot has been saying that growing cannabis can cause adverse effects, people should understand that not all methods do so. Specifically, outdoor plans show a better set of advantages compared to others. This article sheds more light on how cannabis cultivation outdoors becomes more superior, convenient, and environmentally-friendly overall.
There Are Low Carbon Footprints And Energy Consumption Levels
One of the many reasons marijuana cultivation outdoors is the preferred method is because of the simplicity of its requirements. When given a chance to plant in fields, growers only need three essential things: the sun, air, and water. With the increasing need to help the environment nowadays, choosing to grow outdoors is starting to become the top choice and priority for most cannabis farmers. Also, there is a low chance of creating a carbon footprint or creating harmful chemicals and gases because of less usage of equipment.
However, one should understand that choosing to go green with the cultivation method requires effort, time, and adequate knowledge. Some want to focus on investing in solar panels while some ‘make or grow’ their organic soil that promotes a better thriving condition for the plant. Many elements come into play, but surely it pays off in the long run. Click here to know more @ Weekend Gardener and see how you can start going green with your choices, starting with the best strains in the market.
Water Usage Gets Monitored By Organizations And Local Governments
Another thing that concerns most doubters of outdoor cultivation is the amount of water that gets used up by the plants. It’s no secret that marijuana requires a large amount of water to be able to survive. Not being able to monitor water consumption levels is something that the grower has to take responsibility for because of the majority of states that have legalized cannabis utilization report information regarding water usage. Legal growers have frequent inspections made by their local State Water Resource Control Board and organizations that monitor environmental footprint. These visits ensure that water utilization practices also get reviewed by the state’s Water Quality Board each year.
Petrochemicals Are Not Encouraged
The art of growing a marijuana plant can take years of experience before farmers learn how to work their way through the process without contributing to the negative impacts on the environment. Although there are still other planters, who are part of the ‘traditional market’ and use commercialized bottles of pesticides, more and more people are switching to organic and natural resources, that of which don’t include harmful petrochemicals. A legal and law-abiding farmer knows that commercially sold pesticides are not a good idea. Instead, growers should brew and create regenerative soil made from the following materials:
- Sand
- Organic tea
- Sea kelp
- Vetch
- Gypsum
- Rock phosphate
- Organic straw mulches
- Alfalfa meal
- animal/green manure
- Sweet pea
- Clover
- Cottonseed meal
Once these materials start to regenerate the soil, natural organisms help transform and deliver them to the plant in the most natural way. To make it simple, the grower nourishes the ground, and in turn, the soil feeds the plant. Overall, the materials mentioned above are cheaper than ready-made chemicals in the market. Also, this process ensures that there are fewer gallons of water that you need to flush.
Dealing With Pests Also Has An Organic Alternative
Again, you don’t have to resort to chemically-induced products to be able to grow high-quality cannabis plants. There is such a thing called the “integrated pest management,” wherein farmers use the following strategies to get rid of unwanted insects.
- Farmers use other insects to address any pest or pathogen issues. Predator insects prey on these pests and help significantly decrease the chances of destroyed crops.
- Growers engage in “companion planting,” wherein other plants placed in the same area and attract the pests and lure them away from marijuana.
- People introduce various fungi, bacteria, or nematodes that ultimately balance the growth of the plants as well as the elimination of pests.
Conclusion: Can Marijuana Cultivation Reduce Carbon Footprint And Lessen Environmental Impacts?
Yes, but with it comes the responsibility of educating yourself regarding the different organic methods available. There is no black and white when it comes to cultivation. You can mix and match different processes, as long as it benefits you as well as the environment. Although ultimately, deciding whether you want to grow marijuana indoors or outdoors is your choice, it pays to be environmentally conscious as the issue of global warming continues to rise.
References:
https://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/outdoor-marijuana-growing-advantages/
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Alan Wood has been showing strong passion for plants and gardens since he was young. With the help of his son and other assistants who have expertise not only in gardening but also in many different fields, he always tries his best to provide gardeners with latest trends and useful guidelines.