How Early Can I Sample Bud I Am Growing? Cannabis Testing Timeline

If you’re reading this, you’re likely nearing the final weeks of growing weed. A dank harvest could be on the horizon.

At this stage of the process, many growers ask the same question: How early can I sample buds to tell when it’s time to harvest the entire plant?

I get it—the process of waiting for amber trichomes to develop and pistils to change color can feel excruciatingly slow. But wait too long, and your buds could be past their peak. Let’s explore the sweet spot for cannabis testing and the easiest way to sneak a taste of your harvested buds.

Let’s talk strategic sampling. I know it sounds counterintuitive to cut into your carefully grown plants before harvest, but there’s method to what seems like madness.

Sampling at the right time can actually save your harvest and take your final product from good to great. Here’s why:

1. The perfect harvest timing: Sampling small buds gives you a close-up look at the trichomes, letting you check their color and maturity. This helps you spot the peak potency window and pick the perfect time to harvest.
2. Gauge potency early: Sampling early lets you get a feel for how THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are developing — and whether your plants need more time to fully mature before harvest.
3. Spot problems: Snipping off early samples can reveal hidden issues like bud rot, mold, or pests that might not be visible from the outside. Catching these early can save your whole crop.

The best time to sample buds before harvesting marijuana plants is about 2-3 weeks before your planned harvest time, and continue for about a week before harvest.

But it’s worth noting that sampling this early won’t give you the full, accurate expression of what the finished product will be. That’s why regular monitoring is crucial to ensure your flower never goes past its peak.

During a typical 8-10 week flowering period, here’s a general timeline:

Weeks 1-5: Way too early for sampling. Buds are still developing basic structure.

Weeks 6-7: Early sampling is possible, but expect significantly different effects than the final product. THC levels are developing, and terpene profiles aren’t fully matured.

Weeks 7-8: This is the best sampling window for most strains. Buds have developed enough to give you hints of flavor, potency, and effects. You’ll also notice visual cues like pistils have mostly turned amber.

Final week before harvest: Sampling at this point gives the closest representation of the finished product, but it still won’t have the full expression of fully developed cured buds.

Keep in mind that timing can vary based on your strain and environmental conditions.
For example, Indica-dominant strains usually mature faster than Sativa strains, meaning you might be able to start sampling Indicas a bit earlier.

If you start sampling your buds two weeks before your planned harvest date, you’ll notice your plants are deep into their final ripening stage but not fully finished.

This is actually one of the best windows for strategic sampling because it helps you spot important signs that your plants are nearing peak maturity, and adjust your harvest timing if needed to get the best possible potency and flavor.

Here’s what you’ll typically see around two weeks before harvest:

• Buds have mostly stopped growing
• About 50-70% of white pistils have darkened and curled inward
• Resin production is high, giving buds a sticky and shiny appearance
• Trichomes are abundant but mostly clear or milky, with few amber trichomes
• Fan leaves may start to yellow as the plant redirects energy to bud development

Hold on there. Before you harvest cannabis too early and start chopping away at your plant, look for these signs that sampling is even worth it:

Trichome development: Use a magnifying glass to check if trichomes are at least cloudy (milky) instead of completely clear. Clear trichomes tell you that the bud is still too immature.

Pistil transformation: At least half of the white pistils should have darkened and curled inward.

Bud density: The buds should feel solid and shouldn’t be actively growing.

Aroma: Strong and unique smells of that strain indicate that terpene development is underway.

Resin production: Buds should be sticky to the touch.

If your plants don’t show these signs, it’s better to wait. Be sure to check out our guide on ripe buds vs. unripe buds for a deeper explanation on how to tell when weed is ready.

Let’s get to testing. Here’s how to start sampling buds when you’re approaching a cannabis harvest:

Method 1: Lower Bud Selection

Choose a small nug from the lower portion of the plant. Even though lower buds get less light and develop more slowly than top buds, they’re great for early sampling since they won’t affect your potent, final yield up top.

Method 2: Single-Branch Testing

Select one branch from your plant (preferably a lower one) and harvest just that section. This method gives you a more accurate representation of the end product than other methods since it includes the drying (and sometimes curing) process.

Method 3: Partial Harvest

Some growers do something called a staggered harvest, where they take the top buds when they’re ready and give lower buds of the same strain more time to develop. When you bring sampling into the mix, try harvesting a small top bud first as a test.

Reminder: It doesn’t matter which method you choose—never take more than 5-10% of your plant when sampling to test if it’s ripe. It will stress out the poor thing and might even reduce the overall yield or quality of the remaining buds.

Need to dry weed for a hit? While the proper drying and curing process for cannabis typically takes weeks, here’s how to quickly dry a sample bud:

1. Paper Bag Method (24-48 hours)

• Put your small bud in a paper bag
• Fold the top closed
• Store in a dark, dry place
• Check every 12 hours until the stems snap rather than bend

2. Food Dehydrator (2-4 hours)

• Use the lowest heat setting (95-105°F maximum)
• Put the sample nug on a tray
• Check frequently to prevent overdrying
• Remove when the outside feels dry but not brittle

3. Oven Method (Caution: Last Resort)

• Preheat oven to the lowest possible setting (ideally below 150°F)
• Place bud on parchment paper on a baking sheet
• Leave oven door slightly ajar to prevent overheating
• Check every 5 minutes
• Remove after 10-15 minutes or when the outside is dry

The oven method is super risky. It degrades terpenes far too quickly, so the taste and smell of your weed might diminish. Only use this method when time really isn’t on your side.

4. Desktop Quick-Dry (12-24 hours)

• Place bud on a piece of paper
• Put near a computer fan or other gentle heat source
• Turn occasionally for even drying
• Sample when the outside is dry but not completely brittle

Reminder: Quick-dried buds will never match the full expression of your favorite strains at their peak. The smoke will likely be harsher, and the flavor profile will be less in-your-face, but you’ll still be able to gauge potency and basic feels.

Yes, you can smoke uncured weed, but the experience will differ significantly from the final product. Here’s what to expect:

Pros of Smoking Uncured Cannabis:

• Provides early hints of potency
• Helps gauge the strain’s effects
• Can help determine harvest timing
• Satisfaction with the fruits of your labor

Cons of Smoking Uncured Cannabis:

• Underdeveloped flavor profile
• May cause headaches for some users
• Harsh smoke can irritate the throat and lungs
• Burns unevenly and may be difficult to keep lit
• “Green” chlorophyll taste that disappears with proper curing
• Potentially higher CBN content if quick-dried with heat, creating a more drowsy effect

The bottom line? A tiny sample won’t hurt. If you want to gauge the potency, flavor, and overall feels of the strain you’re growing, choose from the above methods and try it out.