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Congratulations, You Played Yourself: The Great Early Harvest Disaster of 2025

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By Herb Greenstein, CEO – The Plug’s Pages Magazine

Every October, I expect to see some questionable decisions out there in the fields, but this year? This year takes the cake — and not in a good way. Everywhere I look across the Northeast, people are chopping down their outdoor grows way too early, hauling in plants like it’s some sort of emergency evacuation. News flash: we haven’t even had the first frost yet. Not even close. So what on earth are you all doing?

You spent months nursing those plants — the nutrients, the worm castings, the organic teas, the love, the labor, the late nights. And now, after all that dedication, you pull the trigger a week or two early? That’s like quitting a marathon at mile 25 because you saw the finish line and got tired of running.

Let me be blunt (pun fully intended): you just robbed yourself.

The Cost of Impatience

If you’d just waited another week or two, your buds would’ve been dripping with trichomes, sparkling like diamonds in the morning sun, and stinking up your whole property in the best possible way. The difference between “pretty good” and “absolute fire” is measured in days this time of year. Those last couple weeks are when your plant pushes out the oils, flavors, and potency that make all your hard work worth it.

So when you chop too early, congratulations — you just turned a potential champion into a “yeah, it’s alright” batch. You had a chance to hit the home run, but you decided to walk off the field instead.

And what makes it worse? The weather’s been on your side. We’re still hitting 75–80°F days in the Northeast! The sun is still feeding your girls, the air is crisp, and the bugs are retreating. But instead of letting nature do her final magic, you’re hanging green buds in your garage right now wondering why they don’t smell like they should.

The Smart Growers Know Better

The smart ones aren’t panicking. They know that a light frost isn’t a death sentence — it’s a wake-up call to grab a few blankets, tarps, or even some old bedsheets and cover your plants overnight. It’s literally that simple. A few degrees of protection buys you another week or two, and those extra days are when the real alchemy happens.

I’ve seen veteran growers upstate pull absolute miracles just by keeping their plants cozy through the first couple cold snaps. They’ll ride it out to October 20 or even the 23rd, and their reward? Buds so caked in resin they look like they were dipped in sugar.

Meanwhile, the folks who panicked and cut early? They’re sitting there trimming half-finished flowers, wondering why their yield’s light and the flavor’s flat.

“But Herb, I Thought It Was Time…”

No. It wasn’t.

Unless you’ve got some super short, seven-week strain — and let’s be honest, most of you don’t — your outdoor plants in upstate New York still had time to go. At least until October 15, and often longer. This region demands patience. Every single day of sunshine is gold in the final stretch.

And listen, I get it — some of you are new to the outdoor game. You see those frosty buds and think, “Oh man, it’s done!” But no, that’s the tease. That’s the moment your plant is saying, “Hold on, I’m almost there!” That’s when the true finish line is right in sight — and you blew right past it.

A Word to the Wise for Next Year

If you’ve got plants in pots, next season remember: mobility is your best friend. You can move them indoors overnight, tuck them in the garage, then bring them back out in the morning for that sweet October sunshine. It’s a simple trick, but it can make the difference between a “meh” harvest and one that blows minds.

And if you’re growing in the ground, plan ahead. Have a frost cover ready. You don’t need anything fancy — just something to trap a little heat and keep those tops from freezing.

Because every extra day you can give your plant in October… matters.

The Harsh Truth

To everyone who chopped already: you messed up. Big time. Yeah, your crop might still be decent — you probably grew some good genetics, and it’ll still get you high — but you’ll never know how good it could’ve been. You traded greatness for convenience. You settled.

Next year, remember this feeling when you spark up your early-cut bud and realize it could’ve been so much better.

So to all the impatient harvesters out there: learn your lesson. And to everyone still holding strong, keeping their plants wrapped and warm, waiting for that perfect moment — you’re the real pros.

Because in this game, patience isn’t just a virtue — it’s the difference between mid and magic.

Herb Greenstein
CEO, The Plug’s Pages Magazine
“Stay patient. Stay growing. Stay plugged in.”

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KEEPIN’ EDIBLES YUMMY: THE WOMAN WHO LOOKED AT A PEACH COBBLER AND SAID… “YEAH, WE CAN INFUSE THAT.”

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There are two kinds of people at a cannabis event.

The first kind walks around saying, “I’m just gonna look.”

The second kind walks past Key’s table… stops dead in their tracks… stares at an infused peach cobbler like they’ve just seen Bigfoot riding a unicorn… and quietly says,

“Well… there goes my paycheck.”

If you’ve been to a Crisxotics event recently, chances are you’ve already met Key—also known as Keoka, the woman behind Keepin Edibles Yummy. And if you haven’t… don’t worry. Your stomach will eventually lead you there.

I had the chance to spend some time talking with Key after she completely surprised me with one of the most generous gift bags I’ve ever received. I’m talking infused Milky Way bars, Doritos, Nerds, Sweet Tarts, gummies, peach cobbler pie… honestly, the bag looked like Willy Wonka opened a dispensary.

Needless to say, she didn’t have to do that.

But that’s exactly the kind of person she is.

She’s genuine.

She’s passionate.

And she really enjoys making people smile.

That same attitude is exactly what built Keepin Edibles Yummy into what it is today.

Ten Years of Turning Munchies Into Masterpieces

She originally started doing product development and manufacturing for another company about ten years ago. As someone who already loved both cannabis and baking, combining the two wasn’t exactly a difficult career decision.

For most people, baking brownies sounds like a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

For Key…

It’s product research.

Over the years she’s helped develop products across New York and even into Massachusetts and Vermont before eventually stepping out on her own.

Ironically, she only started vending events in late 2025.

So while she may seem like “the new girl” behind the table…

She’s actually one of the veterans behind the recipes.

If It Exists… She’ll Probably Infuse It

When I asked what kinds of products she specializes in, Key didn’t hesitate.

Pretty much anything.

Honestly… I believe her.

“Yep… I can infuse that.”

Cookies?

Absolutely.

Brownies?

Of course.

Cakes?

Easy.

Candy?

Why not?

Peach cobbler?

Now we’re talking.

You don’t see infused peach cobblers everywhere.

Actually…

I’ve never seen anyone else doing them.

That’s exactly what makes Keepin Edibles Yummy memorable.

She’s not chasing everyone else’s ideas.

She’s creating her own lane.

More Than Just Getting High

One answer during our interview really stood out to me.

When I asked about memorable customer experiences, she didn’t talk about selling out.

She didn’t brag about potency.

She didn’t tell me how many products she moves.

Instead…

She talked about people finally getting relief.

People saying their bodies finally relaxed.

Those moments matter.

Cannabis isn’t always about getting blasted into another galaxy.

Sometimes it’s simply about finally getting a good night’s sleep.

Helping people feel better is what keeps Key excited about what she does.

And honestly…

That’s probably why customers keep coming back.

Crisxotics Feels Like Family

Ask Key why she enjoys vending at Crisxotics and her answer is simple.

The vibe.

Everyone is relaxed.

Everyone has fun.

Everyone leaves happy.

It feels less like walking into a business expo…

…and more like showing up at the world’s friendliest family reunion where everyone just happens to really appreciate good flower and ridiculously creative edibles.

Looking Ahead

Even after ten years in the cannabis industry, Key isn’t slowing down.

Her dream?

Growing Keepin Edibles Yummy to an even larger scale.

She’s hoping to eventually sell her recipes while continuing to oversee their production and development.

She even joked that she’s looking for investors.

So…

If you’re reading this while sitting on a pile of money wondering what to do with it…

I know somebody who makes a peach cobbler capable of changing your entire afternoon.

Just saying.

Advice Worth Listening To

Start small.

Experiment.

Keep learning.

Find something nobody else is doing…

…then make it your signature.

That advice explains Keepin Edibles Yummy better than anything I could ever write.

She didn’t become memorable by copying everyone else.

She became memorable by becoming impossible to compare.

Final Hit

The cannabis community is filled with incredible growers.

Amazing extract artists.

Talented cultivators.

But every now and then you meet someone who reminds you that cannabis culture isn’t only about what’s in the jar…

Sometimes it’s about what’s coming out of the oven.

If you happen to see Keepin Edibles Yummy at an upcoming Crisxotics event, do yourself a favor.

Stop by.

Say hello.

Check out the menu.

And whatever you do…

Don’t convince yourself you’re “just looking.”

Trust me.

That’s exactly how people accidentally leave carrying an infused peach cobbler… and somehow a bag full of snacks they never planned on buying.

Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…

Our social media link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18NoGdsAFa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/keykeyeddiequeen?utm_source=qr

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THE 5 WEEKS THAT DRIVE EVERY GROWER CRAZY! 🌱😳 Why July Is the Most Exciting Month of the Entire Season

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There are only two kinds of people in New York during July…

People growing cannabis…

…and people getting tired of hearing about someone else’s cannabis plants.

Let’s be honest. If you’re growing this year, you’ve probably already shown your garden to at least ten people. Maybe twenty. Maybe the UPS driver. Maybe your neighbor who was just trying to check the mail.

“Hey… wanna see my girls?”

Every single grower says it with the same excitement you’d expect from someone showing off a newborn baby.

And you know what?

I absolutely love it.

I’ve had people proudly show me beautiful greenhouse monsters pushing through the roof, and I’ve had first-time growers proudly point at a three-foot plant with six leaves missing because a deer decided to sample the menu.

The funny part?

They’re both equally excited.

Sometimes I look at a beginner’s plant and think, “Well… it’s definitely a plant.” But I would never crush that excitement. Every one of us started somewhere, and that first successful outdoor grow is something you never forget.

That’s what makes July so special.

This is the month when hope is everywhere.

The hard work is mostly done. The plants are established. They’ve survived storms, bugs, hungry animals, curious neighbors, and hopefully a few overenthusiastic watering sessions.

Now everyone is waiting for the same thing.

The show.

Once that happens, the countdown begins.

Most strains need roughly 8 to 10 weeks to fully mature after flowering starts. For many New York growers, that usually puts harvest somewhere between October 15 and October 21, depending on the cultivar and the weather.

And here’s where patience separates good flower from unforgettable flower.

Every grower knows how tempting it is to chop early.

You walk outside every morning thinking…

“They look done.”

Then two days later…

“Okay… NOW they’re done.”

Then another week passes, and suddenly your buds have swollen, the aroma has intensified, and the trichomes seem to have multiplied overnight.

That’s why so many experienced growers pray for one thing every October…

A late frost.

That final week can make an incredible difference. Those extra days often allow the flowers to bulk up, the trichomes to mature, and the terpene profile to fully develop. Sometimes the difference between “pretty good” and “OH… MY… GOODNESS…” is simply giving the plant one more week when the weather cooperates.

Greenhouse growers get a little bonus here.

If temperatures only dip to around 31–32°F (-0.5 to 0°C) for a light overnight frost, a covered greenhouse can often protect plants well enough to squeeze out those extra precious days. It’s not a guarantee, but sometimes that little bit of protection is all you need to cross the finish line.

Of course, Mother Nature always has the final vote.

If a hard freeze is coming, don’t gamble your entire crop trying to squeeze out another couple of days. Harvesting around October 15 can still produce excellent cannabis. It’s when growers start chopping significantly earlier than that—before the flowers have had enough time to mature—that I’ve personally seen plants come out looking and smoking a little underdeveloped.

But let’s not rush ahead.

We’re still in July.

This is the fun part.

It’s the season where every grower becomes an amateur meteorologist, checking five different weather apps while somehow trusting none of them.

Sunny? Great.

Rain? We’ll manage.

Wind? Tie them down.

Frost in July? Okay… now somebody’s lying.

Whether this is your very first outdoor grow or your twentieth season chasing the perfect harvest, take a second to appreciate this part of the journey.

Because before you know it, you’ll be trimming until your fingers stick together, wondering why you ever thought growing one more plant was a good idea.

So enjoy the excitement.

Take pictures.

Show off your garden.

Celebrate every inch of growth.

And if Mother Nature is listening…

Let’s all say it together.

Dear Weather… please give New York one nice, late frost this year.

Our trichomes would sincerely appreciate it.

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THIS ISN’T JUST A FESTIVAL… IT’S A WHOLE CANNABIS CITY IN THE PINES | Summer High Fest Is About to Change NY Forever

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Let me paint you a picture real quick…

It’s summer 2026 in New York. You’re not stuck on your couch scrolling through the same 12 people arguing in comment sections. You’re not watching someone else “live life” through a phone screen. You’re somewhere different.

You’re under the pines. Music is hitting from two stages. The air smells like food trucks, creativity, and maybe a little something sticky from the BudStock side of the world. Somewhere in the distance, someone just won the Home Growers Championship and is acting like they just got drafted into the NBA.

Welcome to Summer High Fest.

And according to Woodz Treez, this isn’t just another cannabis event trying to slap a logo on a flyer and call it culture. This is something built from the ground up with intention, experience, and a little bit of “we’re tired of waiting for someone else to do it right, so we did it ourselves.”

THREE EVENTS. ONE WEEKEND. ZERO CHILL.

Summer High Fest is not playing small.

2026 marks the first-ever Summer High Festival, but don’t get it twisted—this thing is built on serious foundation:

Summer High Music Festival (Year 1)
BudStock Cannabis Convention (Year 4)
The Home Growers Championship (Year 3)

And yes—there are designated 21+ cannabis areas, but there’s also something you don’t see enough in this space: a family-friendly festival atmosphere outside those zones. Music, art, camping, food, vendors, workshops… the whole spectrum.

In other words: if you can’t find something to enjoy here, you might just be the problem.

WHY THIS WAS BUILT (AND WHY IT MATTERS)

Woodz Treez made one thing very clear in his interview: this didn’t come from a trend. It came from necessity.

After helping build festival experiences at another venue that eventually shifted, the vision didn’t die—it evolved.

Instead of folding it, they rebuilt it stronger.

And the mission stayed the same:

A safe, welcoming space where music lovers, artists, growers, cannabis enthusiasts, families, and first-time festival goers can exist together without chaos, ego, or division.

That’s a rare sentence in 2026.

WHAT YOU’RE WALKING INTO

If you pull up to Summer High, here’s what hits you first:

It’s the energy.

Not forced. Not corporate. Not “please clap for our brand activation.”

Just people.

Then everything else stacks on top:

75+ artists across two stages
Hip-Hop, Funk, Reggae, EDM, Bass and live bands
EDM until 4AM
Live painters and artists
Laser shows and immersive visuals
Food vendors
Vendor village
Camping beneath the pines
Educational cannabis programming
21+ giveaways all weekend

And somewhere in the middle of all that… you’ll probably realize you just met five strangers who now feel like old friends.

That’s the point.

THE VENDORS AREN’T AN AFTERTHOUGHT

One thing that separates Summer High from the “pop-up and pray” events is the lineup of real community businesses involved.

Cannabis vendors include:

Ganja Pigs
Frost Kingz
Kine Buds
Highly Baked
Fatboyy Cannabis
Bucket Of Budz
Prada Pax
Squids
Mini Mart
Central Oddities
Best Budz
Woodz Treez

Food vendors include Uncle Mitch Munchies, High Hillz Hotdogs, Mrs. Sweets Bake Shoppe, Cosmic Creations, Food For The Homies and The Grovelink.

Artists and creators include Mushroom Girl, Do Not Feed The Art, Ashley In Wonderland, BDA, Crown City Curiosities, Rei Of Light, The LotShop and many more.

Even better, the lineup is still growing.

A LITTLE INSIDER TIP FROM OG STRAIN…

Since you’re already reading The Plug’s Pages, here’s something special.

Woodz Treez told me they’ll be representing at Summer High Fest all weekend.

If you stop by their booth, make a purchase, and mention that you read this article or simply tell them, “OG Strain sent me,” don’t be surprised if they show you a little extra love.

And while you’re there, don’t just walk away with your purchase.

I’m not going to spoil exactly what that “extra love” might be—that’s between you and them.

Maybe it’s something extra.

Maybe it’s a surprise.

Maybe it’s just some VIP treatment.

The only way to find out… is to walk over, take a rip, and say those magic words.

Then come find me later and tell me what happened.

WHY YOU SHOULD SHOW UP (AND NOT JUST “THINK ABOUT IT”)

Woodz said it perfectly.

This isn’t about spending another weekend staring at a screen.

It’s about disconnecting from everyday life and reconnecting with people.

Camping.

Music.

Art.

Cannabis education.

Great food.

Late-night sets.

Meaningful conversations.

Whether you arrive with twenty friends or by yourself, you’re walking into a community that wants you there.

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?

Most cannabis events focus on one lane.

Summer High combines them all.

A cannabis convention.

A growers championship.

A music festival.

An art festival.

A camping experience.

A community gathering.

Instead of choosing one culture, Summer High brings them together into one unforgettable weekend.

That’s what makes it different.

LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS

Just so nobody accidentally skips this part…

🎶 75+ Artists including THE BASEMENT CHRONICLES

🎺 Sophistafunk

🎤 Mula Monopoly

🎸 Sacred Medicine

🔥 Broken Harmony Syndicate

🔊 EDM Until 4AM

🎨 Live Art

✨ Lasers & Visuals

🍔 Amazing Food Vendors

🛍️ Vendor Village

And according to Woodz Treez…

They’re not done announcing surprises yet.

TICKETS

Use Promo Code:

SUMMER50

Offer ends July 4 at 11:59 PM.

Tickets are available online through the Summer High Festival ticket page.

FOLLOW THE FESTIVAL

For updates, announcements, camping information, vendors and everything else, visit the official Summer High website and keep an eye on Woodz Treez’s social media pages as they continue posting updates leading up to the event.

FINAL WORD

There was one sentence from the interview that really stuck with me:

“Summer High isn’t just a festival—it’s a community.”

People throw that word around a lot.

Community.

It sounds genuine.

Music.

Cannabis.

Art.

Camping.

Education.

Families.

Growers.

Creators.

Everyone sharing one unforgettable weekend beneath the pines.

If Summer High delivers on everything they’re promising, this won’t just be another event on the calendar.

It’ll be the one people spend the next year talking about.

And if you decide to stay home…

Don’t blame me when your friends won’t stop telling stories about everything you missed.

https://Summerhighny.com

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