Guerrilla Cannabis Growing for Dummies

What is Guerrilla Growing?

Guerrilla growing is the growing in a secret, hidden outdoor place that is not in your own garden, usually somewhere in nature where it won't easily be discovered. An advantage of guerrilla growing is that it is very unlikely to be caught with the plants since they are in a public place. Unfortunately, you can't guarantee wild animals won't get to them before you do, so it's important to pick a good spot to grow.

Choose a Spot to Grow

The first step to guerrilla growing is to find a good spot to plant your cannabis. Try to find a spot not too far from water. You want to find a spot that will not have many visitors or workers all throughout the year. Busy national parks, public places, and trails that are kept-up by employees are not the best spots. The best spots are ones that are difficult to get to, like a spot far from the trail or hidden in the bushes.

Have an Alibi

Don't get caught. It's important to know your story just in case someone asks what you are doing. If you are near a lake, bring fishing equipment. You can also bring binoculars or ropes and say you are bird watching or rock climbing. If you are caught this early on, it may be time to find a new spot.

Cover your Tracks

Avoid leaving an obvious path to your plot. Take a different route every time and if you are leaving foot prints, kick some dirt over them as you walk. Leaving an obvious path is an easy way for someone to discover your plant.

Start Growing

If you want your plants to grow large and produce pounds instead of ounces, it is recommended to root the clones or start your seeds in the winter indoors. You will want to plant your seeds and put them under some grow lights. Once they have started to sprout a bit, you will replant them in your grow spot. If you don't have a spot to start growing indoors, you can still plant your seeds outside. You may not get as much. 

Head to your Guerrilla Spot in Spring

Once the winter is over and spring has arrived, it is time to plant your cannabis plants. If you have already started them indoors, you are going to need to get them accustomed to the sunlight by putting them outdoors for a few hours every day. Get your plants all boxed up or grab your seeds and head to your guerrilla growing spot that you have chosen.

Dig a Deep Hole

Next, you will need to dig a deep hole to plant your cannabis in. You can put some pro-mix, perlite, or water absorbing crystals to hold in moisture for stronger roots. Remember, the stronger the roots, the stronger the plant, and a stronger plant means more of the product.

Plant your Guerrilla Cannabis

If you have already began growing in the winter which is highly recommended, place your plants into your soil mixtures in the holes. Water your plants until the soil is nice and moist. If you still have seeds at this point, plant them in the soil mixture and water them until the soil is moist.

Protect your Plant

The only disadvantage of guerrilla growing, is that your cannabis plants will be susceptible to wild animals and pests. You can put chicken wire around your plant to keep the wild animals out, especially if you are in an area with deer. You may also want to use some sort of pest control in the area to protect your plant.

Water your Plants

It is extremely important to keep your plants watered to prevent them from dying. Every time it doesn't rain for 10 days in a row, you should go and water your plant. Make sure you water your plant enough to saturate the roots entirely. If you are near water. You can use a cheap manual pump to water your plant.

Check for Pests

Every time you water your plant, check for pests. Under the lease and along the stems you will find damage if bugs are eating your plant. Deal with bug infestations immediately as bugs can kill your plant.

Remove Male Plants

If you used seeds instead of clones, your plants will start showing their sex around the end of summertime. The male plants have flowers that look like tiny banana pods and the female plants have white hairs coming from the nodes at the point where the branches and stems meet. Remove any male plants before they have a chance to fill the female buds with seeds.

Feed your Plants

When summer ends, you will need to add some plant food to get the maximum out of your plant. Try adding some nutrients and supplements like bat guano around the roots and watering it in. Go light on the nitrogen and look for plant foods with phosphorous and potassium. These nutrients will help you get the greatest yield from your plants.

Keep Excess Moisture Away in Fall

Where it is crucial to keep your plants wet in summer, it is equally as important to keep your buds dry in fall to prevent bud rot. Shake the excess moisture from rain off your buds every time you visit your plants. If your plants start rotting, harvest early to prevent further decay.

Harvest your Goods

As the leaves fall and colors turn, it is time to harvest your plants. You will want to pick a time when no one else will be out, perhaps early in the morning on a cloudy day. Bring a large, solid color container with you like a 5 gallon bucket that seals up to prevent anyone from smelling or seeing your plants. Place branches in with the cut end down to keep your buds intact. Work quickly. Once you are in a safe location, you can dry and trim your plants. Then, you are ready to smoke, vaporize, or even make edibles with your freshly harvested crops and prepare for next year.