Less than a month after I planted my first cannabis seeds, I was forced to make a decision:

Kill the seedling I had growing on my apartment patio (it started to actually look like a pot plant), or
Invest in an indoor grow setup and see where this journey takes us.

As you can tell, I chose the Red Pill, and life hasn't been the same since I bought my first grow tent.

After you've decided you're ready and willing to start your first indoor hobby grow, use these five questions to guide your shopping, setup, and planning efforts.

1. How big of a space do you have to grow in?

Build the grow you have space for.

This is the most important question to answer because it determines the size of your grow. If you only have a small section of a closet to play with, buying a 10x20x8' grow tent won't work. Most commonly, hobby growers start with a 2x2, 2x4, 3x3 or 4x4 grow tent. Some will start with a 5x5 if they have the space and plan for a future as a hobby grower, but you don't have to start big to try your hand as a hobby grower.

I started with a 2x2x4' tent in a closet, and tip-toed up to a 3x3x6', and a 4x4x7' (all while in a 2-bedroom apartment).

2. How much time do you want to spend (daily, every couple days)?

Second most important question: how much time do you have available for your new hobby?

As they say, you don't find the time, you make the time. You can't really on having "a few extra minutes here and there" to take care of your grow. Be realistic with yourself about how much time per week you can spend caring for the plant.

In a 2x2 with a single plant, you can get away with only a couple hours a week (if that). In a 4x4 with six plants, you're going to spend at least 3-4 hours a week, likely closer to an hour a day if you're heavily involved.

3. How much weed do you smoke a week/month?

Your rate of consumption will impact your goals for your grow.

Typically, the goal is to grow as much as you smoke, so that you can smoke while you grow your next cycle.

If you smoke an 8th a week, and you're planning on a 16-week cycle, your goal should be 2 ounces.
If you smoke an ounce a week, that goal gets closer to a pound.

If you're a lighter smoker (or you have the extra budget to buy weed while you're growing without feeling an extra pain point), then a smaller grow like a 2x2 or 3x3 will work well for your first effort.

If you're a heavier smoker (or you are investing all of your weed money into your grow), then being able to supply your needs with a bigger grow like a 4x4 or 5x5 might be worth considering. Keep in mind, the bigger the grow, the bigger the yields, but you'll also need more time and space to support it. Which brings us to...

4. How much money do I have to spend on this project?

It's important to be honest with yourself about your budget.

If you spend $50 a week on an 8th of weed, that's $800 over 16 weeks. You can set up a moderate 2x2 grow for $280-380, leaving you half your weekly budget to buy slightly cheaper weed while you get up off the ground. If you have $1000s of extra spending power, you could ball out and set up a sleek 4x4 with the best lights in the game.

Start with an idea of what you have to spend, and what you're trying to spend it on (if you have extra funds in the budget, invest in your light).

5. How many plants do I want to grow?

My recommendation for a first time hobby grower is always to start with one.

But one plant will not provide big yields for heavy smokers. If you have the space, time, and budget, growing more than one plant will offer increased yields (and the chance for variety of flavors) but will complicate your learning curve.

If you are going to grow more than one plant for your first time, I recommend growing the same genetic rather than a variety, as differences in feed rates, environmental needs, and overall workflow will impact your process.

To Recap, figure out:

Where your grow will go?
How much time you'll spend in it?
How much weed you need from it?
How much money you have to invest in your hobby?
How many plants you'll grow in it?

Have a plan before you start.

Then, once you have answers, begin building.

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Setting Up Your First Indoor Hobby Grow

Less than a month after I planted my first cannabis seeds, I was forced to make a decision