Grow Q&A: Growing On A Hillside

Danny Danko

Dear Dan, I have been reading your column and listening to your podcast and I just want to say you’ve inspired me to try my first grow. I’m unable to do it at home but I have a lot of woods where I work. I know nobody will find it as it is in a very secluded area. What advice can you give me to have the best chances to have some bud at the end of the season? I know it isn’t the optimal situation but I just want to get my feet wet and see how it goes. The good part is that I can to tend to it on a regular basis due to the long hours I work. Any help would be appreciated. – Woodchuck from NY State

Dear Woodchuck,
The best places to grow outdoors are on southern facing slopes near some kind of water source. A clearing where trees aren’t blocking the light from overhead is ideal because you really need at least 6-10 hours of direct sunlight in order to get a decent harvest from an outdoor guerilla garden. Without the benefits of growing in full sun, the sunniest spot in the woods makes a great place to grow but has the downside of being more visible from above.

When you’ve found your spot, take care not to create a noticeable path to the location. Dig out some deep holes and fill them with your own store-bought soil. Cover the dug up earth with leaves and twigs to make your clandestine crop less noticeable. Don’t leave any bags, shovels or other debris laying around either.

Start the plants you wish to place outdoors indoors under grow lights to give them the best chance at survival. Whether grown from seed or clone, your plants will benefit from going outside with an already established root system. As a last resort, you can plant seeds directly into your outdoor growing holes but expect at least a few not to make it. Plant double what you need and cull out the weaker plants as they show their potential.