This is the final stretch. Your buds are swollen, trichomes are glistening, and the smell is next level — but when is the perfect time to chop? Knowing exactly when to harvest is critical to achieving potency, flavor, and smooth smoke. And if you’re growing in a small tent, drying takes extra planning. Let’s break it all down.
Table of Contents
- 1. How to Know When to Harvest
- 2. Harvesting Early vs. Late
- 3. What Happens if You Don’t Harvest on Time?
- 4. Preparing Your Space for Harvest
- 5. Drying in a Small Tent: Challenges & Tips
1. How to Know When to Harvest
The best way to know your plant is ready is to inspect the trichomes — the tiny crystal-like structures on your buds. Use a digital microscope, jeweler’s loupe, or macro camera to see them up close.
What to look for:
- Clear trichomes: Not ready. THC hasn’t fully developed.
- Cloudy/Milky trichomes: Peak potency and THC levels. Time to harvest for a balanced high.
- Amber trichomes: THC is degrading into CBN, giving a more sedative or “couch-lock” effect.
Most growers harvest when trichomes are about 80% cloudy and 10–20% amber.
2. Harvesting Early vs. Late
- Early Harvest: Buds may look smaller, have less flavor, and produce a fast, heady high. Potency may be lower.
- Late Harvest: Buds become heavier, more sedative, and risk losing some terpenes or becoming too dry. Potency may drop if too late.
Timing is personal. If you like an energetic daytime high, harvest a little earlier. If you want knockout nighttime meds, harvest later.
3. What Happens if You Don’t Harvest on Time?
Letting a plant go too long can lead to:
- Degraded THC: More amber trichomes mean more CBN (a sleepier effect).
- Bud rot: Dense colas are at high risk in late flower, especially in high humidity.
- Re-veg: If your light cycle changes or the plant stays alive too long, it may start reverting back to vegetative growth.
- Diminished aroma: Terpenes can evaporate or degrade over time.
Don’t panic — but don’t wait forever either. Nature won’t wait for you to get it perfect.
4. Preparing Your Space for Harvest
Here’s what to get ready before the chop:
- Clean, dry space: Sanitize your tent or room before drying.
- Scissors/trimmers: Sharp, clean blades are key.
- Gloves: Keep your hands resin-free and your buds clean.
- Drying rack or string: You need a way to hang or lay out buds for drying.
- Humidity & temp control: Ideal is 60°F and 60% RH, dark with light airflow.
5. Drying in a Small Tent: Challenges & Tips
If your grow tent is your only space, you can dry in it — but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Remove your light: Buds need darkness to dry properly.
- Use a small clip fan: Point it away from buds to avoid direct airflow.
- Keep temps 60–70°F, RH 50–60%: Use a dehumidifier or humidifier as needed.
- Don’t rush: Drying too fast ruins taste. Aim for 7–10 days.
Once dry, you’re ready to trim and begin curing — but that’s a whole other topic.
🧼 Clean, watch your trichomes, and don’t rush the process. You’re almost there!