Is it too late to start an outdoor autoflower grow in July?

Many growers reach July and regret not starting an outdoor weed grow. Especially when the weather feels perfect for outdoor growing. But it’s not too late to get started, especially with autoflower seeds. 

Autoflowers started in early July will be ready to harvest around mid-September/early October. If your climate is still OK for outdoor cultivation at that time, then you can start an autoflower grow in July. Below are a few tips to maximise your chances.

Understanding autoflowers and why timing matters

Autoflower seed varieties crash rapidly through their outdoor life cycle in around 3 months. Feminised seed varieties simply can’t match the speed of autoflowers. So if you need a fast outdoor crop from the last half of the grow season then autoflowers are your best bet.

Autoflower seeds generally typically take around 10-12 weeks to complete their outdoor life cycle irrespective of the indoor/outdoor light cycle. Feminised strains typically won’t start to bloom outdoors until the amount of daily light decreases below 14-14.5 hours. Often feminised seed varieties will require a 5-6 month grow cycle, they just won’t suit a July start. 

Although feminised strains generally offer the heaviest yields, it is the speed and versatility of autoflower seeds that have made them so popular with outdoor growers. Many grow 2, some even grow 3, successive outdoor autoflower crops per year!

Key factors that influence a July grow

An outdoor autoflower grow starting in July is a relatively low-cost, low-risk venture. If it fails, your only significant cost will be that of the autoflower seeds. And perhaps a bag or two of compost. 

You can grow autoflower seeds easily in a sunny corner of your greenhouse or garden. The best auto seeds are also tough enough to grow on their own in a guerrilla-style location. Wherever you grow, time spent improving the soil & grow location is always time well spent.
Here are your main considerations:

• Climatic conditions: If your local climate is still reasonably mild through September and into October then a July autoflower grow has every chance of succeeding.
  
  
• Late season weather worries? If you’re concerned about rain/mould around harvest time in October, then consider a greenhouse or polytunnel to protect your plants for those vital last few weeks. Or grow them in pots in your garden/balcony and take them inside during days with bad weather conditions.
  
  
• Buy autoflowering cannabis seeds that finish quickly. Some auto strains finish faster than others. Auto Blueberry and Auto Blackberry Kush are the two fastest autos in the Dutch Passion collection. Sometimes in as little as 8-9 weeks with seriously strong high THC effects. If you need the fastest possible auto harvest these two strains should definitely be in your collection!
  
  
• Buy autoflower seeds with proven resilience to outdoor conditions. Auto Euforia is Dutch Passion’s most popular auto with outdoor growers. Combining 20% THC levels with noteworthy toughness and durability. If you need the toughest autoflower seed variety then Auto Euforia is the top Dutch Passion recommendation.
  
  
• Grow location. Whether growing on a balcony, back garden, greenhouse or mountain your grow location has a huge bearing on your outdoor harvest quality. If local soil quality is poor then replace with grow-shop soil, with useful additives such as BioTabs slow release organics, bat guano, worm castings etc. Any overhanging plants/trees that block light to your cannabis plants should be chopped back.

Advantages and challenges of starting in July

Most autos reach around 1 metre/3ft tall by harvest. They are convenient & easy-to-hide for guerrilla growers. For those growing them in their garden/greenhouse they are fast with a well-deserved reputation for being easy to grow.

Seasoned outdoor auto pros can achieve outdoor harvests of several hundred grams per plant. But rookie growers might get nearer 30-60g / 1-2oz per plant.

Advantages

• Potential for high quality buds - your plants will be growing under warm, sunny conditions.
• Germinate your autoflower seeds in July and you may be harvesting in September or early October.
• Weed doesn’t get any cheaper than this. No grow room or electricity to buy. Mid-range autoflower seeds cost just a few €/$/£ each.
• A July grow means you can generally expect 2-3 months of consistently good outdoor weather/temperatures.
• A July start allows some growers to avoid particular early-season pests
• Long day-light hours!
• Smaller indica autoflower varieties are proven and easy to hide in almost any suburban garden/balcony. Auto Duck is a unique autoflower variety without the iconic cannabis leaf shape. She is the ultimate strain for those needing a stealth variety that can hide in plain sight!
  
  

Challenges

• For many, especially Northern European/American growers, late-season weather can be unpredictable and unreliable. These growers are advised to stick to the very fastest 8-9-week autos (Auto Blueberry, Auto Blackberry Kush) if starting a July grow. One other option is to consider a tarpaulin cover (or greenhouse/polytunnel) to help protect the plants from the worst of the late season weather.
• A July start is about as late as is realistically possible for most. It’s a short grow window, the first month of which should offer good conditions for veg-growth.
• A July grow will mean there is less recovery time for your plants if disaster strikes. That’s the main reason why experienced seed banks tend to recommend their toughest outdoor performers with the widest grow latitude. Auto Euforia is Dutch Passion’s toughest auto, check out the blog where Auto Euforia survives massive slug attack but delivers a bumper harvest.
  
  

Best Dutch Passion autoflowers to start in July

Speed, durability and proven genetics will make all the difference to your late season outdoor autoflower grow. Here are Dutch Passion’s top 5 picks for a start in July:

• Auto Blueberry. Sweet, delicious flavours of dark forest fruit combine with the famous stress-busting Blueberry high. Can be ready 8-9 weeks after germination.
  
  
• Auto Blackberry Kush. Rich, hashy Kush with fruity notes. Heavy yielding, hard hitting no-nonsense Kush. Fastest phenotypes are ready 8-9 weeks after autoflower seed germination.
  
  
• Auto Euforia. Powerful Skunk, easy to grow, notoriously tough & durable. Knows how to take a beating. Takes around 11 weeks outdoors. The repeat best-seller with outdoor autoflower seeds connoisseurs.
  
  
• Auto Mazar. The tough autoflowering version of the original Afghan legend! Takes around 11 weeks, dependable Aghani-Kush genetics.
  
  
• Auto Critical Orange Punch. An 11-week fruity citrus scorcher.  Heavy yielding, long great blooms with consistently high THC. Top-10 strain the High Times 2018 awards.

Other highly recommended outdoor autos include:

• Auto Forbidden Cherry. Strong, dependable and robust outdoor performer.
  
  
• Auto Ultimate. Resilient outdoor auto with XXL yields but a longer life cycle (up to 14 weeks)
  
  
• Auto Banana Blaze. Potent, great tasting auto noted for resilient outdoor performance.

Final tips for success with your summer autoflower grow

Even the world’s best growers can’t get high-THC terpy buds from substandard genetics. Buy the best auto seeds from a proven supplier. You may want to lean towards faster-finishing autos if concerned about late-season weather. 

Here are a few expert tips that will help you get the most from your seeds:

• To avoid the shock of progressively transplanting into larger grow containers, many germinate the autoflower seed in the final grow container.
  
  
• Highly-aerated grow containers allow increased levels of oxygen to reach the root mass. This boosts growth speed, size & health. Air-pots, felt sacks and similar are recommended. One advantage of growing outdoors in containers (typically 15 litres/3 gal+) is that you can move them under shelter (e.g. garage) in the event of storms, extreme heat etc. Note in hot weather, especially with large plants, grow containers can dry out quickly. Larger containers, 50 litres / 10gal, offer a greater buffer of moisture/nutrients to those seeking reduced plant maintenance.
  
  
• Rooting your autoflower directly into good quality, moist, nutritious ground (no container) is another option for outdoor growers. This won’t allow you to move the plant in the event of extreme weather (heatwave, storms etc) but it will allow the plant to grow with minimal maintenance/watering/feeding. A tarpaulin can be erected above the plant if required to protect from heat/sun or rain.
  
  
• Those rooting directly into the earth should do their best to optimise soil quality and health. Poor quality local earth can be replaced with supermarket soil. Soil improvers can be added and at the end of the grow season the soil can be amended with well-rotten manure for the following year.
  
  
• Monitor water moisture levels. Pros use a tensiometer to have an accurate idea of when the soil needs more moisture.
  
  
• Consider a greenhouse in areas with variable late-season weather.
  
  
• Use nylon shade netting in extreme heatwave conditions to protect your plants from extreme conditions.

If your outdoor summer grow in on a strict budget then check out the ongoing Dutch Passion cannabis seed sale, some autoflower strains are on offer at half price. Good luck and enjoy your July grow!