Cannabis Author and Educator

“Penny Barthel strikes the perfect blend of science and beauty in this most approachable guide to growing cannabis in the garden. Your hand will be held from start to glorious (vanilla bean-infused gummy) finish.”
Johanna Silver, author of Growing Weed in the Garden

Book

Ten Speed Press/2021

Purchase here

The Cannabis Gardener teaches you how to choose which strains are right for you and how to cultivate the plants from seed to finished flower. Gorgeous full-color photographs capture each stage of the growing process and show how cannabis plants can be incorporated into your garden design as well as raised beds and containers. After you establish your plants in the garden and monitor them through the flowering stage, you’ll find tips on how to harvest, dry, cure, and store your “grow.” Also included are recipes for savoring your harvest, from salves, tisanes, and tinctures to cannabutter for baking and cooking delicious treats such as CBD gummies flavored with vanilla beans, cheddar crackers, and even cannabis chocolate sauce.

The Cannabis Gardener is an accessible and practical guide for any level of gardener interested in growing their own attractive cannabis plants.

New post

July 2026

Latest on Substack

July in the cannabis garden is easy. This is prime growing time for our cannabis plants, as they are soaking up the bright summer sun riding high in the sky. Fan leaves are huge, green and lovely to caress. You can even pluck a few and juice them for a healthy beverage with zero high. The main responsibility of the gardener in this summer growth stage is to make sure your plants are getting enough water and perhaps a bit of extra feeding if you are growing in containers. read more . . .

New Article

New for the backyard herb garden: cannabis

Martha Ross of the Bay Area News Group wrote a really nice article, featured in the San Jose Mercury News and in the Backyard Magazine in the SF Chronicle and East Bay Times. “East Bay educator, gardener, foodie and author Penny Barthel wants everyone to be able to grow cannabis in their backyards — because it’s fun and because they can put the plant to use in a variety of ways.” Read more . . .


“If plants have IQ, cannabis is a genius. This lovely and practical book gracefully describes how to cultivate, support, encourage, and manifest the genius of this remarkable plant.”


David E. Presti, professor of neurobiology and psychology, University of California, Berkeley