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
January 2026
Latest on Substack
Winter is here. Even if where you live is warm and sunny (hello Florida!), it’s still deep winter according to cannabis. You’ll likely know that Cannabis sativa is a summer growing annual, so there’s no cannabis growing outside in the garden right now. So what do we outdoor cannabis gardeners do in January? We dream about the coming season’s garden, and get to work researching the amazing seeds we’re going to sow when planting season arrives. Here’s what you should know before you buy seeds.

February 18 – 21
NWFGS
For the first time ever, our nation’s largest garden show, the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival, will have high quality cannabis seeds AND my book The Cannabis Gardener for sale. Please join Dr. Emily Gogol and me at Booth #205. This is a perfect excuse to go to Seattle and see an amazing flower show! We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival. It’s like the Chelsea Flower show, but in the U.S. and on the West Coast!
“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

