For most cannabis supporters, October represents more than cool temperatures and the start of fall. It is also a weed harvest season, AKA Croptober! This is the time of the year where outdoor farmers from across North America harvest their premium, sun-grown bud and begin to prepare it for the cannabis market to enjoy. 

Why is Croptober Important to Outdoor Growers?

For outdoor growers, the benefits of Croptober are obvious. Since most North American outdoor cultivators start their growing process around the Spring Equinox (mid-spring), October is the season where all the hard work they’ve put in for the last 3-4 months finally yields results.

According to Weedmaps, “about 80% to 85% of cannabis varietals are ready to harvest during the traditional October cycle.” Once harvested, this cannabis is ready to be dried, cured and sold/processed.

Risks for Outdoor Growers

Although Croptober is an amazing time for outdoor growers, it also comes with its fair share of risks.

The most obvious danger is the unpredictable weather conditions throughout the harvest calendar. Though the summer months are predictable in most of North America, fall weather is not as easy to forecast. Unsuspected monsoons or winter storms could delay your harvest, damage your plants, or even destroy your crops.

Keeping an eye on weather conditions and properly protecting your plants with trellis netting, drainage systems, etc. could be the difference between a bountiful harvest season and a catastrophe. 

During this peak harvest window, it is also important to remember that you are not the only outdoor cultivator that is preparing to sell your flower. Competition is most going to be stiff. Therefore, it is important to quickly harvest your bud and prepare it for drying and curing.

To assist with post-harvest activities, companies often seek help from technology companies to automate processes, identify bottlenecks, and minimize human error. Getting your flower on the market quickly will give you a huge edge over your competition.

What about indoor growers?

Indoor growers do not have the same positive attitude regarding Croptober as their outdoor counterparts. Due to the large amounts of processed flower on the market, indoor growers are forced to reduce their prices to stay competitive.

In an article from Benzinga, an experienced cultivator notes, “The massive influx of outdoor-grown cannabis could cause the market price of a pound to drop by $400 to $500.”

Although this could still be a problem for indoor cultivators in October, these temporary price changes are made up for by a consistent harvesting schedule throughout the year.

Indoor cultivators also benefit from a more predictable, controlled environment, so their risk of losing entire crops to bad weather conditions is mitigated.

Set Your Canna-business Up For Success This Croptober 

Regardless of the way you grow cannabis, it is important to have the right technology in place to track and manage your plants, maintain compliance, and speed up your processes.

This is where cannabis ERP, 365 Cannabis can step in and ensure that you reap the full benefits of Croptober and the rest of your cultivation operation year-round. 365 Cannabis comes equipped with functionality tailored to fit the unique needs of cannabis cultivators. This allows your business to reduce or eliminate manual processes, increase efficiencies, and focus on growth. 

If you would like to see how 365 Cannabis can make your Croptober a successful month, request a demo to see more!