In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of cannabis cultivation, choosing the right growing medium is crucial to achieving success. In 2021 I had the pleasure of speaking with Krishna Gandhi from Coastal Cultivars, a Massachusetts-based outdoor cannabis cultivation operation. As the Vice President of Marketing at Coast of Maine Brands, we’ve been proud to supply Coastal Cultivars with our soil, which has proven to be a game-changer in their operations.
A Growing Operation on Buzzard's Bay
Coastal Cultivars operates a vast 100,000-square-foot outdoor canopy located on Buzzard's Bay. As Krishna shared, they were in their second season of cultivation, and the journey had been nothing short of remarkable. In 2020 they experimented with creating their own compost mix on-site. While the team initially had high hopes, the results didn’t quite meet expectations. The growers, who had previous experience with Coast of Maine products, were quick to advocate for a return to our tried-and-true soil mixes.
In 2021 Coastal Cultivars went back to using Coast of Maine soil, planting in 50-gallon pots, and the results were impressive. Krishna proudly mentioned their 12-foot plants, one of which he humorously decorated with Christmas lights, given its striking resemblance to a Christmas tree. This speaks volumes about the quality and effectiveness of the soil in supporting such vigorous plant growth.
The Value of Consistent Quality
Coast of Maine started as a company providing soil to independent garden centers. Over time, we noticed that many customers were using our products for cannabis cultivation. This inspired us to develop a blend specifically tailored for growing cannabis. We brought on a chemical engineer and licensed caregiver in Maine, to help fine-tune our soil mix. With feedback from growers across Maine and Massachusetts, we’ve created a soil blend that’s making waves in the cannabis industry.
Krishna’s experience of blending his own soil aligns with what many growers encounter—an understanding that a consistent, high-quality product can save time, money, and stress. Coastal Cultivars’ return to Coast of Maine in 2021 underscores the importance of using a reliable growing medium.
Managing a Large-Scale Operation
Managing a large-scale cannabis operation is no small feat. Coastal Cultivars had about 3,400 plants on-site in 2021, each one thriving in 50-gallon containers. The team worked diligently to organize the fields, ensuring that rows are perfectly straight—no small task when dealing with such a large number of plants. The challenge of maintaining these plants during a season marked by drought in New England was mitigated by their on-site wells, allowing them to water as needed.
The Coastal Cultivars Brand
Coastal Cultivars’ cannabis brand, Number Nine Collection, also known as the Sunflower Collection, reflects their commitment to outdoor cultivation. The brand is currently available in about 30 to 40 licensed dispensaries across Massachusetts, including their own store, Great Barrington Dispensary. Their cannabis is grown using organic farming practices, resulting in vigorous, clean plants with unique terpene profiles.
Krishna shared insights into their strain selection process, which is driven by both consumer demand and the expertise of their growing team. In 2021 they cultivated eight different strains, including popular ones like Jelly Rancher and Raspberry Parfait, as well as personal favorites like Apex and Girl Scout Cookies. Their goal is to produce robust plants that can withstand the challenges of outdoor growing, ensuring a high-quality final product.
The Importance of Proper Harvesting and Curing
Harvesting and curing cannabis properly is critical to maintaining the quality of the crop. Coastal Cultivars is meticulous in their approach, understanding that rushing this process or harvesting under unfavorable conditions can ruin an entire season’s work.
A Strong Partnership
Our partnership with Coastal Cultivars has been a rewarding experience. Despite the challenges of the past few years, including the pandemic and raw material supply issues, Costa Maine has continued to provide the high-quality soil that growers like Krishna need to succeed. Krishna emphasized how smooth the coordination and delivery process has been, even under tight timelines.
Looking Ahead
As Coastal Cultivars continues to harvest and cure their plants, their focus remains on delivering a premium product to the market. Their commitment to organic, outdoor cultivation aligns perfectly with Costa Maine’s mission to provide soil that enhances the natural growth process.
For those interested in learning more about Coastal Cultivars and their products, you can visit their website at Number Nine Collection or follow them on Instagram at @numberninecollection.
In an industry where quality and consistency are paramount, the collaboration between Coastal Cultivars and Coast of Maine Brands serves as a testament to the power of choosing the right growing medium. Together, we’re helping to produce cannabis that not only meets consumer expectations but also supports sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
