Light deprivation growing explained for beginners and pros Light dep (light deprivation) is a cannabis growing technique where growers manually control the light cycle of outdoor or greenhouse plants by covering them with blackout tarps. This forces plants into flowering earlier than they naturally would, allowing multiple harvests per season instead of just one.
How Light Dep Works
Cannabis flowers when it receives less than 12 hours of light per day. Outdoors, this happens naturally in late summer. With light dep, growers cover their greenhouse with blackout tarps at a set time each evening, creating an artificial 12/12 cycle whenever they choose.
Benefits of Light Dep
Multiple harvests — 2-4 cycles per year vs one Avoid fall weather — harvest before rain and mold season Higher quality — summer sun produces more trichomes than fall Premium pricing — early-season harvests command higher prices Flexible timing — start a cycle whenever you're ready Light dep is widely used in California, especially in the Emerald Triangle and Sonoma County. For a complete guide including schedules and best strains, read our Light Dep Growing Guide. Best light dep strains: Tree Flip | Tropicana Cherries | Cobra Chi (8 weeks)
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