Let’s be honest, January’s budget is tighter than a ziplock bag of dank bud. Regular meals are being swapped for 2-minute noodles, and even DSTV might be on a “maybe next month” break. It is in times like these that growers need to adopt some budget cannabis growing tips!
That’s why we’re here to help. We’re here to share with you some of our best budget-friendly cannabis growing tips to keep your plants and your wallet thriving.
Hello egg cartons!
After a festive season filled with eggs and bacon, you’ve probably collected enough egg cartons to build a small cardboard fort.
If you were concerned about just throwing them away, here’s some good news! You can use them as eco-friendly seedling trays! We can honestly say that old egg cartons will become your new best friend in the grow room.
As mentioned, I apologise for jumping the gun; egg cartons make excellent biodegradable seedling trays.
Each little cup holds just the right amount of soil for a single seed, and they keep moisture nicely without drowning your seedlings.
Simply fill each section with seedling mix, place your cannabis seed in, water lightly, and let nature take its course.
And the best part?
Once your little green babies are ready to be transplanted, you can snip off each egg cup and plant it directly into the soil or pot.
The carton will naturally break down over time, allowing the roots to push through and establish themselves. Which means no transplant shock, no wasted plastic, and zero rands spent!
But after your seeds have sprouted and they need more room, what are you going to do to save cash?
Making recycled newspaper pots
Running out of pots is a rite of passage for every gardener and cannabis grower. But instead of begging for old plastic pots at the nursery, why not level up and become a true eco-warrior?
Enter: recycled newspaper pots! These are cheap, biodegradable, and surprisingly sturdy. But we can hear you thinking,
How do I make one of these recycled newspaper pots?
Well! You’ll need to the following:
- Old newspaper (avoid glossy prints)
- A round mould — jam jar, glass bottle, tin can, or anything cylinder-shaped
- Scissors
- A flat surface for folding and rolling
As an optional extra, we found that having a bit of water on hand to damped the paper helps when shaping it.
Now! To the mini how-to-instructions!
Cut your newspaper into strips of about 25–30 cm long and 10–15 cm wide. You should use 2–3 layers of newspaper for a sturdier pot.
Now position the mould, which can be a glass jar, at the end of these paper strips. Make sure about 3–5 cm of paper hangs past the bottom of the mould, as this will form the base.
When ready, roll the paper tightly around the mould. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, as the fold will hold it together later.
Now it’s time to form that base. Fold the overhanging end of the paper inward, one section at a time, like closing a gift or tucking in the flaps of a box. Press it gently so it stays in place.
Flip the mould upside down and press it down slightly to flatten the base and help shape the pot. Carefully slide the paper pot off the mould.
Finally, add your seedling soil mix, pop in a seed or cutting, and water lightly.
These pots are perfect for seedlings. They naturally break down in soil, which means less transplant shock and zero plastic waste. Plus, you’re recycling!
Your plants (and the planet) will thank you. So, what other budget Cannabis growing tips do we have?
DIY nutrients and compost
Let’s say that buying organic compost or nutrients during the financial drought that is January is a challenge.
Now, because you’re not in the right financial situation to use your card, you’ll have to try creating your own solutions.
You can always make your own compost; after all, it does occur naturally!
Compost gold is kitchen scraps such as:
- Eggshells
- Veggie peels
- Coffee grounds
- Dry leaves
- And grass clippings
To revitalise your soil, mix it into your garden soil with some aged manure (such as horse manure, not your own) or worm castings, if you have a worm farm or know someone with one.
Additionally, mulching your garden will keep your soil cool and moist for longer, which will help reduce your water bills (hopefully, you’re harvesting rainwater).
Mulch for your garden doesn’t need to be fancy; simple straw will do. Or one of these cheap alternatives:
- Dry grass clippings
- Shredded newspaper or cardboard
- And fallen leaves.
When spreading this mulch, ensure that you spread it evenly around the base of your plant and avoid piling it up. Otherwise, you’ll be inviting composting insects to munch on your plant’s roots.
For those hoping to give their cannabis plant a real South African soil boost, you can always use rooibos!
Yep, the miracle tea that keeps on giving! Brew weak rooibos tea or soak used rooibos tea bags in water. Add to the soil to reduce acidity and promote microbial activity.
This is honestly a great, affordable, local, biodegradable option that cannabis plants love.
Concluding budget cannabis growing tips
To be honest, the cannabis growing community is a generous one. We’re certain there is a marijuana fan who will help you get through the tough financial times.
Also, remember that you can always cut off a healthy branch from your favourite female plant, dip it into aloe gel, and plant it in damp soil and peat, and boom! New plant!
After all, you’ll also be wanting to cut down on those cannabis bills until the local government has made some headway with some legal details!
