What is Croptober and What Does it Mean for Consumers?

Croptober is every cannabis grower’s favorite time of year; it’s the traditional fall harvest season for outdoor cannabis. After months of careful cultivation, the cannabis plant reaches its peak for natural potency.

For that reason, it’s not just local growers who are celebrating; it should be you, too! Around this time, your favorite New York dispensary gets fresh batches of sun-grown flower with distinct aromas, flavors, and effects that can’t be replicated indoors.

At The Alchemy, we’re not just praising good brands. What sets us apart is the focus on local growers, sustainable practices, and small-batch, curated harvests that highlight the city’s innovative cannabis culture. Whether you typically go for outdoor or indoor cannabis (or you don’t even like flower!), it doesn’t matter. Croptober is a great time to acknowledge all the people who put time and effort into making our curated menu so special.

What Makes Outdoor Cannabis Special?

There’s a big debate in the flower community around indoor vs. outdoor cannabis. Most people will tell you that sungrown cannabis is superior – and in a lot of ways, they’re not wrong.

Outdoor cannabis stands apart thanks to natural sunlight, which drives more robust terpene development, richer flavors, and complex cannabinoid profiles that indoor grow lights can’t fully replicate. That’s a fancy way of saying: all the things you appreciate about your flower and pre-rolls are in large part due to how that flower is grown and harvested.

Seasonal variation also plays a role: just like a mango from Mexico or India tastes different from a mango from the US, the unique environmental conditions of each cannabis growing site result in phenotypes that are expressive, vibrant, and distinct from batch to batch.

It’s also important to note that outdoor cultivation is usually more environmentally sustainable. It uses less energy than indoor grows and supports local agriculture in upstate New York and beyond.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Cannabis

If you’re a beginner (or even if you’re not), you’re probably wondering, “How big a difference does outdoor cannabis really make to me?”. Sometimes these details can seem minor, especially if you’re not used to smoking flower in the first place.

The long story short is that indoor-grown cannabis is more precise and consistent. It’s often more potent, and means it’s better for you to baby-step into it. (Start low and go slow!) Outdoor, on the other hand, has more of a naturally flavor-forward experience. It’s a bit more gentle and optimal for savoring longer sessions.

Here’s a cheat sheet of what you can expect:

	Indoor	Outdoor
Growing Conditions	Controlled environment with grow lights, temperature, humidity, and nutrients carefully managed	Grown under natural sunlight and seasonal conditions; usually grown on farms upstate
Appearance & Aroma	Usually very uniform buds, dense, vibrant colors, and strong, consistent aromas	Buds can vary in size and color; may have richer, more complex flavors and aromas because of sunlight and natural soil
Effects	Often more potent THC levels due to controlled growth; can feel intense and predictable	Terpenes and cannabinoids can be more balanced and nuanced; effects can feel smoother and more “rounded”
Experience	Indoor flower may hit harder or faster, so newcomers should start with smaller doses	Sungrown cannabis often feels gentler and more enjoyable for longer sessions, with flavor and aroma playing a bigger role in the experience

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At our Chelsea recreational dispensary, we offer both indoor and sungrown cannabis from local and national brands. Ask a budtender to learn more about what we have in stock during your visit.

How to Shop for Fresh Harvests

October is the perfect time to buy sungrown cannabis, because this is when fresh outdoor flower reaches peak potency and flavor right at harvest. In other words, you’re getting the “ripest” flower! When selecting sungrown cannabis, look for vibrant colors, rich aromas, intact trichomes, and minimal handling, all signs that the flower was carefully cultivated and handled.

If you’re not an expert and gauging flower quality on looks alone, just ask our staff at The Alchemy! New York cannabis consumers can explore our Croptober specials and featured local brands to discover NYC-grown cannabis.

Tips for Shopping or Talking to Your Budtender:

Ask if the product is sungrown or outdoor-harvested.
Check for strain-specific Croptober harvests or limited seasonal batches.
Look for local brand partnerships or farms in upstate NY.
Ask about the best storage practices to maintain freshness and flavor.

New York Sungrown Cannabis Brands

At The Alchemy, we carefully curate our menu to feature only the highest quality cannabis products, including both locally grown indoor and outdoor flower. This Croptober, we’re highlighting some of our best sungrown brands, celebrating fresh, seasonal harvests that showcase the unique flavors and potency of NYC’s local growers:

Hudson Cannabis

Hudson Cannabis grows heritage seeds in organic living soil and utilizes the full powers of the sun and moon for a naturally optimal experience. Founded by women, owned by farmers, and powered by regenerative agriculture, this New York sungrown cannabis cultivator is committed to growing higher-quality product that positively impacts our bodies, communities, and ecosystems.

Back Home Cannabis Co.

Back Home Cannabis Co. grows its premium cannabis under an organic management plan that practices crop rotation, cover cropping, no use of synthetic chemicals, and is hand-harvested, trimmed, and cured. In return, the cannabis plant can fully express itself under its most natural conditions. The flower is cured to perfection, high in terpenes, and a powerful medicine for all to enjoy.

Weekenders

Weekenders are all-natural, outdoor cannabis, formulated for an easy smoke in the most sustainable way possible. They meticulously blend uplifting THC flower with healing CBD to create a high that’s perfectly balanced for whatever your weekend has in store.

This team is made up of diverse, BIPOC, and female founders who honor agricultural biodiversity and intentionally create growing systems that include cover cropping, composting, and rainwater. Weekenders’ environmental footprint is minimal, and their commitment to the land and local communities grows alongside its farms.

Shop Croptober in NYC at The Alchemy

Experience the freshest seasonal harvests with The Alchemy’s sungrown offerings, featuring limited Croptober releases. With seasonal exclusives and small-batch harvests, now is the perfect time to try fresh, local, sun-grown cannabis and elevate your fall routine with flavors and potency at their peak.

Visit our Chelsea dispensary to explore these exclusive flower selections in person, browse online from the comfort of home, or take advantage of our discreet delivery for a private, convenient experience.

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