If you live in a garden-friendly climate choosing to grow cannabis outdoors is easy. If you’ve just made the decision to start your outdoor farm, however, you may have run into a little snag: fertilizer.
Not to worry.
This article will review the current fertilizers options on the market, helping you choose the best fertilizer for outdoor growing.
Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio
No outdoor grow will ever go wrong with Fox Farm’s liquid nutrient trio fertilizer. These fertilizers are used sequentially throughout the growing process, giving your crop the perfect blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at each stage. For best results, simply follow Fox Farm’s schedule. As Fox farm’s fertilizer is the top-of-the-line option in terms of quality, their combination fertilizer is our pick for the best fertilizer for outdoor grows.
Pros:
- Three-in-one solution
- Brand has great customer service
- Affordable
- Perfect for producing a high yield of cannabis flower
Cons:
- Not available in smaller bottles
General Hydroponics Flora Fertilizer Combination
Don’t be fooled by General Hydroponics brand name – this fertilizer works fantastic with outdoor grows too. The flora fertilizer is optimized to provide the perfect nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium combination at each cannabis growth phase. Like other combination fertilizers, all you need to do is follow the instructions and wait for your outdoor crops to bloom. Flora fertilizers are also Ph balanced, which will enhance your yields significantly.
Pros:
- Easy-to-follow three-step fertilizing solution
- Ph balanced
- Can also be used in indoor and hydroponics grows
Cons:
- The bottles are not childproof
Advanced Nutrients Jungle Juice Fertilizer Combination
Advanced Nutrients’ jungle juice fertilizer is perfect for large, outdoor crops. Like the previous two products, this fertilizer is applied at three stages. However, it has an added feature: it supplements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with high-quality iron and calcium. This will produce rich, high-quality cannabis flower with a unique flavor profile. There is one downfall of this product, though, as it’s not Ph balanced. Still, it’s highly effective and very affordable.
Pros:
- Contains iron and calcium
- Designed for high flower yield
- Very affordable
- Designed for growing cannabis
Cons:
- Not available in smaller sizes
- Not Ph balanced
Bud Doublin Combination Fertilizer
If you’re looking for an organic fertilizer for your cannabis crops, this is the best fertilizer for your outdoor grow. Bud Doublin’s combination fertilizer is made with fully organic materials – delivering similar results to other combination fertilizers while keeping your crop completely organic. Although this fertilizer is a little more expensive per ounce, it’s well worth the money for an organic crop.
Pros:
- Organic
- Very easy to use
- Sold with detailed instructions
- Brand is highly rated
- Made by small business
Cons:
- Some customers have reported that the bottles leak easily
- More expensive than other fertilizer combination sets
Big Blooms & Buds Combination Fertilizer
If you’re looking for an affordable fertilizer that’s sold in bulk, Big Blooms & Buds is the best fertilizer for you. This fertilizer is effective, affordable, and will last you years. It’s also enhanced with fish and kelp concentrate – making it great for outdoor grows in tropical climates and hydroponic crops.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Includes fish and kelp concentrate
- Nutrient balanced
- Suitable for hydroponics crops
Cons:
- Strong smell is off-putting to some people
13 Essentials Non-Toxic Fertilizer
If you’re looking for an alternative to a combination fertilizer, reach for 13 Essentials fertilizer. This fertilizer is designed to enrich the soil as your plants grow, making it a great alternative to three-stage fertilizers. Each bottle contains the macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and ten micronutrients: iron, calcium, sulfur, boron, zinc, magnesium, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, and manganese. This fertilizer is also non-toxic, making it suitable for people with pets. For best results, apply weekly.
Pros:
- Absorbed through soil
- Non-toxic and safe for homes with pets
- Complete nutrient solution for outdoor plants
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best fertilizer for outdoor grows?
The best fertilizer for outdoor grows is the Fox Farm liquid nutrient trio. This combination fertilizer set is specially designed to produce high-quality yields of outdoor plants: meaning it works great for cannabis crops.
When should I fertilize my outdoor grow?
Ideally, you should fertilize your outdoor grow at three key phases. During the first few weeks of your crop, you’ll want to use a growth fertilizer rich in nitrogen weekly. Then, you’ll want to use a bloom fertilizer every second water until your plant blooms. Finally, you’ll need to use a budding fertilizer to encourage your plant to bud.
What nutrients do cannabis plants need?
Outdoor cannabis plants need three key nutrients for a high yield: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). This is sometimes abbreviated to NPK on fertilizer packages.
Takeaway
If you want a good outdoor cannabis crop, you’ll need to make sure you are using a fertilizer that supports your plants at every stage of growth. Whether you choose a 3-stage combination fertilizer, or a weekly fertilizer, following your fertilizer schedule is the best way to guarantee a top-notch crop.
If you’re looking for the best fertilizer for outdoor growing, we recommend the Fox Farms combination fertilizer for non-organic crops and the Bud Doublin combination fertilizer for organic crops.