Harvesting Step by Step

How to Harvest: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Once you know the ideal time to harvest your autoflower cannabis, it's time to learn how to properly execute the process. Harvesting is a critical step that significantly affects the potency, flavor, and yield of your buds. At CheebaPet, we want to ensure your homegrowing journey is rewarding and enjoyable, so here’s an easy to follow, step-by-step guide tailored to first-time and inexperienced growers.

1. Preparing for Harvest

Before you start cutting down your plants, you’ll need to prepare properly to ensure a smooth harvesting process:

• Keep the Nutrients Going Until Harvest: Recent studies have debunked the old practice of flushing (using plain water to “cleanse” the plant) before harvest. Instead, continue providing your plants with a balanced nutrient regimen right up until harvest. This ensures your buds receive the maximum nutrients needed for growth, resulting in denser, more flavorful buds.
• Gather Your Tools and Supplies:
• Sharp, Clean Pruning Shears: Invest in quality shears to make clean cuts without damaging the plant.
• Latex or Nitrile Gloves: Resin from the buds is sticky and can irritate your skin, so gloves are recommended although not required.
• Drying Rack or Clothes Hangers: For drying your harvested buds.
• Clean and Prepared Workspace: Make sure your trimming area is clean and and that you have a large serving tray or cutting board to place the plants on when trimming begins to capture all of the debris..
• Create the Ideal Environment: The ideal room for harvesting should have:
• Temperature: Keep it between 65-75°F.
• Humidity: Aim for 40-50% relative humidity.
• Ventilation: Good airflow is nice to have. Consider using small fans to circulate air (but do not point them directly at the buds).
• Harvest During the Morning: Morning is the best time to harvest since the plant’s terpene and cannabinoid levels are at their peak, offering the most aromatic and potent buds.

2. Harvesting Your Cannabis Plants

With your preparations complete, follow these steps to begin harvesting:

A. Cutting Down the Plant

1. Cut the Plant at the Base: Using your shears, cut the main stem at the base, just above the soil line. If your plant is too large, consider cutting it into smaller sections or individual branches for easier handling.
2. Handle Plants Gently: Trichomes, the tiny resin glands on your buds, contain the majority of cannabinoids and terpenes. To preserve them, handle the plant with care and avoid rough movements.
3. Organize the Branches: Cut the branches into manageable sizes (about 12-18 inches) to make them easier to dry and trim. Group branches of similar thickness together to ensure even drying.

B. Trimming the Plants

1. Remove Fan Leaves: Fan leaves are the large leaves without trichomes that can be easily plucked off by hand or trimmed with shears. Removing them improves airflow during drying.
2. Trim Sugar Leaves: Sugar leaves are the smaller leaves close to the buds. They contain some trichomes but can make the smoke harsher if left on. Trim them close to the bud for a smoother experience, but don’t throw them away – they can be used for making edibles, tinctures, or concentrates.
3. Trimming Methods:
• Wet Trimming: Trim the buds immediately after harvesting while they’re still wet. This method is faster but requires more careful drying to avoid mold.
• Dry Trimming: Let the branches dry for a few days before trimming. This method may help preserve flavor and trichome content but requires more patience.

CheebaTip: For beginners, wet trimming may be easier since you’re dealing with less brittle, more pliable plant material.

3. Drying Your Harvested Cannabis

Drying is an essential step that affects the potency and flavor of your cannabis. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Hang Branches Upside Down: Hang the branches or whole plants upside down in a dark room with good airflow. You can use clothes hangers, string, or specialized drying racks. Make sure buds are spaced apart to prevent mold and ensure even drying.
2. Monitor Drying Conditions: Keep the drying area at a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C) with humidity around 45-55%. Use an optional fan to gently circulate air without blowing directly on the buds.
3. Check for Proper Dryness: The drying process typically takes 7-10 days. Your buds are ready for curing when the smaller stems snap cleanly instead of bending. The buds should feel dry to the touch but not brittle.

CheebaTip: If you're unsure, it's better to err on the side of slightly under-drying. You can always dry more, but you can't add moisture back in if they over-dry!

4. Curing for Maximum Flavor and Potency

Curing is the final step to achieve the best flavor, smoothness, and potency. Here's how to cure like a pro:

1. Transfer to Glass Jars: Place the dried buds loosely in airtight glass jars (like mason jars). Fill them about 75-80% full to leave room for air circulation.
2. Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Keep the jars in a cool, dark place (around 60-70°F). Exposure to light and high temperatures can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes, affecting potency and flavor.
3. "Burp" the Jars: For the first week, open (burp) the jars once or twice daily for a few minutes to release excess moisture and introduce fresh air. This helps prevent mold and allows the buds to cure evenly.
4. Monitor for 1-3 Weeks: Continue burping jars periodically over the next 1-3 weeks. Proper curing takes time but significantly improves the quality of your final product. Some growers cure for several months for the richest flavors and smoothest smoke.

5. Final Touches: Getting Your Buds Ready for Use

• Inspect for Mold: After curing, carefully check each jar for any signs of mold. Moldy buds should be discarded immediately to prevent contamination.
• Store Properly: Keep your cured buds in a cool, dark place. Use airtight jars with humidity packs to maintain freshness for months to come. Avoid plastic containers, which can impact flavor and potency.
• Test for Potency and Flavor: Once cured, take a small sample of your buds and test for flavor, aroma, and potency. This will help you gauge the success of your harvest and identify areas for improvement in future grows.

6. Helpful Tips for First-Time Growers

• Stay Patient: Don’t rush the process. Harvesting, drying, and curing all take time but are worth it for the quality of the end product.
• Use Clean Tools: Regularly clean your trimming tools and workspace to avoid contamination and mold growth.
• Stay Organized: Label your jars with the strain, date, and any notes about the plant’s growth. This will help you learn from each harvest.
• Document Your Process: Keep a grow journal to track what worked well and what could be improved. This will help refine your techniques over time.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you have any questions or run into problems, reach out to our support or consult with the CheebaTribe community. We’re here to ensure your homegrowing journey is a success.

Footnote: Partial Harvesting as an Optional Step

It’s common to find that some buds mature faster than others. If your top buds are ready for harvest while lower buds still need more time to mature, you may consider partial harvesting:

• Harvest Top Buds First: Carefully cut off the top colas (the largest, most mature buds at the top of the plant) that have reached full maturity.
• Leave the Rest of the Plant Intact: Allow the remaining lower buds to continue growing and maturing. This gives them additional time to develop trichomes and increase in size.
• Monitor Remaining Buds: Keep an eye on the remaining buds over the next week or two, using the same techniques (like checking trichome color) to determine when they are ready to harvest.

Why Consider Partial Harvesting? It allows you to maximize yield and quality by giving each bud the time it needs to mature fully. This technique is especially useful if you notice that your lower buds are not as developed as the top ones.

Disclaimer:  This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.