So this year, I plan to attempt my first grow, and it is a guerilla grow. I'm at 42N, so I have until May or June to start. I just have a few questions regarding GUERILLA growing, I've read many helpful threads on here, like Corto's amazing outdoor grow guide. I've seen the term 'urban guerilla growing' tossed around on the forums, and due to my location, must do something similar. I feel like I have found a pretty good spot, definitely the best I will get. There is a hill that goes down about fifty feet and is pretty steep. The entire hillside is covered in thick brush and thorns, THORNS EVERYWHERE, they're avoidable, but only to someone who knows the land. The land is at least five acres, with a hill like the one I've described on every side, and is in an 'L-Shape'. Once you reach the bottom of the hill, there is a creek, which is not very deep, but could likely flood in the event of a heavy rain. There are elevated places, which is where I would grow, but the bottom of the hill could become a marsh of sorts. Pretty much everything about it deters people from going down there, and living in the area for more than five years, and frequently walking my dog past it, or driving past it, have never seen anyone down there. As there is some wildlife, I intent to put up chicken wire, or fishing line. I could get in and out without people seeing me, and would usually operate in the evening and night. Could anyone give me a few tips or advice on guerilla growing, or urban guerilla growing. Any answers are appreciated, thanks!
Sounds like a decent place, nim. As I envisoin this grow site based on your description, I would go w/out the chicken wire and fishing line. If you have that many thorns and tight brush, you don't have deer - deer are on the edges. Keep it as natural looking as possible. And fishing line doesn't belong in our prairies and woods. Your biggest concern is the trail leading up to your site. With thorns and heavy brush, going in at night will be tough. So, most likely, you'll be entering this area durning the day. If someone were to see you from a distance going into this natural area, and then decide to have a look for themselves to see what you were doing there, make sure a trail doesn't lead them directly to your site. Walk softly on the veg. and carry a grin. Good luck.
This may sound silly but I always wear a touristy style camera around my neck when I visit my plot. While I'm walking down I pretend to be taking pictures so just incase anyone does see me, I just look like a tourist. Are you planning on using pots or planting in the ground? I have camo pots that are like smart pots but camo colored so they blend in. It sounds like you've put a decent amount of thought into this, so the only thing to do from here is give it a shot and learn as you go. If you have read corto's grow journals already then you should know how he feeds his plants and all that. Super soil or top dressings are the way to go in a Gurilla grow. That way they stay fed for weeks or more at a time.
It's possible someone would see me. However, the trail that I've formed( long and hidden) has no thorns, so I can take my dog with me if I need to and it will look as though I'm only walking my dog, who loves nature. Good thought on the chicken wire/ fishing line, I've only ever seen small animals in that area. If they could find the true beginning of my trail, it wouldn't do much for them as it is scattered with large branches, and only leads to a creek which they must cross.
I will definitely use pots, I've read five gallon buckets are useful, so I'm considering those. Smart thinking with the camera, if anyone were to see me I will likely be walking my dog, on a thorn free trail of course, so that should take away suspicion. There will only be one easy way to get to the site, and that will be by my path, which I plan to have look as discreet and natural as possible ( dead branches, leaves, other natural obstacles, and I've read that putting tape on the bottoms of your shoes will not leave foot prints. All other angles will be blocked completely, with dead thorns, vines etc., although I doubt it will be necessary, better safe than sorry. All tips are welcome, thanks so much!
Remember its always a good idea to leave a branch or some twigs or whatever throught that only entrance so u will know if someone has been there. Hunting trail camras also work
why use smart/camo pots in a guerrilla grow? given my experience with these types of pots has deterred me from using them. a few reasons why: if someone sees ur site then they may see the pots, which they'll then know what ur doing; second, if ur using a peat-based product as ur soil base (pro-mix, sunshine mix, etc) then you'll need to keep the soil moist because if u don't peat is a pain in the butt to re-moisten and you'll have water running out the sides of ur smart pots instead of saturating the entire soul mass, which is aggravating for u and bad or ur plants; third, when guerrilla growing u want the rain to water ur plants, and when the drip line of ur plant extends past ur smart pot then the plant will not get fully watered, if at all; fourthly, though smart pots air prune ur plants, heat may play a role in the development of ur plants, whereas if u plant in the ground the temperature is cooler and the plant is less stressed, not to mention that the ground retains moisture a bit better. if u plant in the ground be sure to dig down at least 12" and 30" across. also use chicken wire to line the bottom of ur holes to keep moles from tearing ur roots to shreds. also, I would invest in game/trail cameras. if u buy the non-IR version be sure to disconnect the flash bulb; review ur SD cards before entering the site. also, if using organics I would stay away from bone and blood meals-- these WILL attract creatures that will dig up ur plants HTH
I appreciate the input! Although growin in the ground seems ideal, due to the low quality soil( clay filled with rocks) and possibility of flooding, planting in pots is the best choice for me. I do plan to camouflage them in some way though. I may rig some sort of chicken wire around it, although deer will not be a problem, small animals, like moles etc., will be. Also, I wish I could install cameras, but doing so might draw attention, should someone see it, and cost is a bit of an issue. In the future, this may be. A luxury, but for now I can only afford the basics( and with only a few plants, someone could possibly not tell the difference, than if they saw a field). Thanks for the tips.
I definetley plan on putting a large array of natural barriers on the trail, large branches, dead foliage, pull some live vines around if possible. Cameras would be nice but, sadly, aren't in the budget, and seem a little excessive for a grow of no more than three plants.
[quote name='"mjmama25"']This may sound silly but I always wear a touristy style camera around my neck when I visit my plot. While I'm walking down I pretend to be taking pictures so just incase anyone does see me, I just look like a tourist. Are you planning on using pots or planting in the ground? I have camo pots that are like smart pots but camo colored so they blend in. It sounds like you've put a decent amount of thought into this, so the only thing to do from here is give it a shot and learn as you go. If you have read corto's grow journals already then you should know how he feeds his plants and all that. Super soil or top dressings are the way to go in a Gurilla grow. That way they stay fed for weeks or more at a time.[/quote] I did the same exact thing minus the camera. I got stopped once going into my site with 3 ppl shooting. I had to act quick and I think he could tell I didn't have a legit reason to be driving past him. In the end he just said honk when coming back out so he doesn't shoot me. After that I started bringing my gun so I got a legit excuse to be there. I also started going right when sun up happened to beat anyone out there. I think people over think being cautius though. Everytime I see a car stopped on the side of a road near a trail I don't go lookin through it thinkin he's growin weed.
Exactly! My husband gives me such a hard time for having a couple plants in the woods, but the place I have them is a place I've been hiking for years. I go there year round, so there is no reason for anyone to suspect anything out of the ordinary. I think especially because I'm female, nobody is going to expect me to be running a Gurilla op. I look more like a chick who stopped for a power walk on her lunch break, lol. Office clothes and tennis shoes hahaha. Would that set off any red flags for you?
Wow .. Your spot sounds so similar to one of my urban plots .. Too funny This is the best advice I have for you ... Rather than pots make raised beds ... Small 1'x1'x 8"tall ... Let the roots do the digging into the native soil ... Ik you said it's clay and rocky but my spot is the same soil type ... I ran a few potted plants which required me out there atleast once a week to water or pick the plants up if blown over after a storm .. The other plants that I put in the ground yielded more than double the potted plants and I watered them 4 times for heavy tea feedings .. They didn't need any water except the first week in the ground. I grow a few urban guerrilla plots each year and I will say this ... With urban plots you MUST use the weather to your advantage ... I'll haul the bulky heavy soil or fencing in during winter snow storms or early spring rain storms ... And I use spring rain storms as my time to dig ... The rain loosens the soil enough .. Nobody is out walking in the rain so no one to hear you dig .. I use a pick axe just to loosen the native soil ... Mix in organic nutrients and coco/peat for a loose mix .. Let it cook/loose smell for atleast a month. Fresh soil will have coons skunks ect digging in your holes so best to let them dig when there aren't any plants in the holes. The dog is an okay idea but honestly I wouldn't do it with the best trained dog ... Pets at your plot spells disaster. I've had to run and duck off in the woods ... Dogs aren't great for this and they are easier to identify especially in a small town. Mjmama's idea is great and I practice a similar idea ... Bird book, camera w multiple sim cards ... I snap pics of birds and animals w 1 sun card and i put the MJ sim card in my sock or wallet.
Great tips! I like the IDEA of raised beds, but as I've never grown before, I feel like the pots would be more of a sure thing? Also, I walk my dog upwards of 2-4 times a day( he needs A LOT of exercise). I'm seen frequently throughout the neighborhood entering other wooded areas, and nothing is thought of it. Many people in the area know me, and my dog and most people really like him. I see your point though, should I have to leave, having a dog may be inconvenient. Thanks for the great advice NOVA! Hope to see you urban guerilla growing too!
I am a first time grower and in my first grow I have noticed the more root space you have the better. For example I have some still in pots which are a lot smaller then the ones I have put in the ground. With one I cut the bottom off the pot and put that into the ground. Could be an idea if you like it ?
First, nothings a sure thing w any type of growing. Not sure what ya mean by pots being a "sure thing" ... Their just more work than their worth and should be used for sexing small plants before planting in ground or for very remote plots in rough terrain that require pots. IMHO raised beds and plants in the ground are the easiest form of growing outdoor .. Low maintenance which means less visits equals less chance of being caught or getting ripped. If you and your dog are known in your area and frequently seen walking in the woods you def should not bring him/her. If they find the plants they will ask around ... And how bad would it look if even bringing suspicion towards you from Leo ... Def not a good idea .... Plus w urban spots I found visits during the day require silence because it's noise that will alert you of somebody approaching .... I've actually had somebodies dog walk into my plot so I grab it and walked it out through a hidden side trail and brought it back to the owner who I found walking along the road calling it ... If I had my dog there too .. There would have been issues and the racket could have brought the owner to my plot. I'll be out in the urban jungle growing ... But you'll never see me I move like a ghost through the woods .. Ultra silent Best of luck to you this year ... I'll have a few plots with close to 20 plants at each spread out in groups of 3-5 far apart Guerrilla rule of thumb ... Plant 1 for Leo .. 1 for the rippers ... And 1 for yourself
Great point on the dog, I completely overlooked that. Saying 'sure thing' was pretty dumb of me haha, I intended to use pots only because al guides I've looked at use them as well. I will do at least one plant in the soil. Question though, do you bring in the soil or just put it in the ground? If you just put it in the ground, do you mix any nutrients with the native soil? Now that you mention it, raised beds also don't scream " Hey, I'm a pot plant" like a five gallon bucket would.
Yeah the raised beds aren't obvious especially if you locate large logs or stones to make it look as natural as possible. As far as soil that depends on you ... I bring in some soul but mostly peat and coco w perilite and water crystals. What I'll do is during a spring rain storm I use a pick axe to till up the native soil ... Very noisy so that's why I wait till a storm to minimize the chance of people walking about. Till it up about 6-8" deep then I'll mix in coco/peat/perilite once the raised bed is in place ... Then I will thoroughly mix in organic nutrients; kelp, guano, seed meals, dolomite lime, greensand ... Stay away from bone or blood meal if you don't have the time for it to cook .... If I use blood/bone meal (it's in the Espoma products I use) then I let the soil sit a cook/de-smell for atleast a month ... Bone and blood will bring in coons skunks possums ext and they will dig .. I let them dig when there aren't any plants so they don't dig when I put in plants ... A good practice is to lay down a layer of chicken wire over your bed or hole when your plant is in the ground and put a layer of soil over the chicken wire .. That will deter them from digging .. Usually. Yeah buckets are obvious ... My old grow buddy would walk past plants if they were in ground because he only noticed the buckets ... Took him 2 weeks to notice the 6'bush we had 1 year lol
Good stuff NOVA! Appreciate everything you've told me! + rep. Raised beds seem like the best choice, especially for such an urban location, do you have any grow journals? It sounds like they'd be really helpful, since you are clearly good at what you do!
Yeah I have a few floating about ... Click on "weed" in my sig and that will show the size difference of inground plants and plants in smart pots/grow bags. I'll be in that same plot this year with big clones and only plants in the ground .. 4oz out of a 3gal isn't bad but it don't compare to a 1lb bush .. Let alone 20 1lb bushes that I'm aiming for this year