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Welcome Zack aka @thegardenofkaya on Instagram! Our editors Jess and Zack have followed each other for years on social media! Zack resides in New Brunswick as well and grows incredible indoor and outdoor cannabis. If you're from the East Coast you'll know how fickle our weather can be. Despite the odd weather, Zack cultivates incredible cannabis plants. His respect for the plant and his natural cultivating methods help grow incredible plants.
Jess has had the pleasure of meeting Zack and he just emits amazing vibes. He is the true definition of a cannabis hippy and we're here for it.
My name is Zack Drost, most of my friends call me "The Hippy". I am a certified Horticulturalist by trade, a cannabis grower/mature breeder, an influencer, writer and entrepreneur in the Cannabis industry. I am a budtender at Higher Healing Dispensary on Woodstock First Nations (28 Eagles Nest Drive). I have been working my foot into this industry since I was quite young, and have dedicated the better part of my life to this passion.
Find me on IG https://instagram.com/thegardenofkaya
Be on the look out for my episode on Wake & Bake podcast, COMING SOON, check them out on YouTube
First off, Tell us about the gorgeous plant on the cover! What is she?
First off, Tell us about the gorgeous plant on the cover! What is she?
This beauty is my first breeding project done on my own! Using a Panama Red Male (seed saved from 70's brick weed) and crossed to Crop Kings Green Crack, a robust sativa that just seemed to shine in our greenhouse at the time.
Her name is "Red Green". (Named after one of my all time favorite shows growing up in the East Coast of Canada)
How did you get into the cannabis industry?
How did you get into the cannabis industry?
I was introduced to cannabis at a very young age, I remember becoming obsessed with everything that is this industry and engulfed myself in it. I was smoking before growing, but started learning how to grow at the age of 10 or 11. I remember sneaking HighTimes magazines in Playboy's back then because we got in less trouble! Fun times! I guess I've always been known as "the weed guy" and actually a few people I grew up with are also working their way up in the industry as well!
When you decided to start growing cannabis, what was the inspiration behind your decision?
When you decided to start growing cannabis, what was the inspiration behind your decision?
All of the Older guys of my hometown that helped me learn! I swear I would love to write a book with all the tips and tricks I've learned over the years from the the older generation to the new! I continue to learn more daily about this plant. My kids have been brought up with it! They know it's Daddy's medicine and love learning and being with the plants!
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor growing? I know there are pros and cons, but what one do you enjoy the most & why ?
Do you prefer indoor or outdoor growing? I know there are pros and cons, but what one do you enjoy the most & why ?
I honestly prefer Sun Grown! Outdoor is what I grew up on, that's how I learned! And I mean, you can grow some TREES in the right outdoor area! Yeah there's a bit of an unpredictable side to growing in the the East Coast climate, but challenges aside, look at what the sun can do!
Now, don't get me wrong, indoor is amazing, and I'm so thankful to be able to grow indoor in the months that we can't grow outdoor here, but it's not the natural way, and therefore, I STILL struggle! I'm no where's near as good growing indoors, and I learn about the new tech everyday, it's crazy!
To me, I like to think of it as a "wild" harvest, let Nature help grow this beautiful plant, as my cousin Dwight would say "Certified Wild" and that's exactly where I believe it should be.
African Haze
Any advice to new growers? What do you wish someone would’ve told you before you started?
Any advice to new growers? What do you wish someone would’ve told you before you started?
Don't get over zealous! Ive lost sooooo many precious genetics due to me just popping hundreds of seeds left right and centre…
Seed collecting is an addiction, and will be the cause to many arguments with family and friends (kinda joking 😅)
Anyone can grow bad weed, and not many people can grow great weed, so make sure you grow the best weed that you can grow, and be proud of it, share it, let others experience your journey from seed to harvest!
Most of all, NEVER STOP GROWING.
Purple Smurf F1 BX
Who inspires you to grow? Who are your mentors?
Who inspires you to grow? Who are your mentors?
I mean I've been watching guys through the pages of High Times and skunk magazines for years! Arjan Roskam, Franco Loja (RIP), Dust, and all the guys from Strain Hunters, Captain Jack, Kyle Kushman, Jorge Cervantes, Ed Rossingol, just to name a few…
BUT my biggest mentors, inspirations, are my brother's, our Grow Team; The 506 Grow Broz, and all our friends (Kindred Breed, Guilded, Maritime, Lady Jane Labs) They inspire me daily to keep doing what I love to do!
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