Illinois Outdoor Grow

For those of you who had followed my Indoor Grow Op. you know I like to do some research before I start an Op. and go in with a solid plan.

Just for starters here's some info:
Location: Northern Illinois
Strain: LA Woman by DNA Genetics
# of Plants: 1


Seeing as this is my 1st outdoor grow and only my 3rd growing experience I'm going to try and keep it simple(ish)

My idea was to use a 7 gallon smart bucket and toss it in an area that would receive good amounts of sun; however, now my idea is to dig a 2ft x 2ft x 2ft hole and refill it with a premium soil mix. This 8ft.³ volume is @ 60 gallons which is @ 8.5times the volume of the original plan.

Ok so after I dig this 60 gallon hole, I need to fill it with premium organic soil.

I've used Sub Cool's soil recipe in the past and it has since been updated so I derived a recipe from his new updated version:

60 gallon hole: 60% top soil/40% super soil

Super Soil 40% (24.5 gallons)

Roots = 280 cups
Bio Bizz Lite = 112 cups
(Roots to Bio Ratio 2.5:1)
Perlite = 57 cups
Vermiculite = 18 cups
(75% Perlite to 25% Vermiculite)
Earthworm Castings = 159oz + 10.2g
Blood Meal = 21oz +3.4g
Bone Meal = 21oz +3.4g
Bat Guano = 21oz +3.4g
Epsom Salt = 9 + 3/8 tsp
Lime = 12 + 1/2 tsp

Top Soil 60% (35.5 gallons)

Roots = 328 + 3/8 cups
Bio Bizz = 328 + 3/8 cups
(Roots to Bio Ratio 1:1)
Perlite = 86 + 1/4 cups
Vermiculite = 28 + 3/4 cups
(75% Perlite to 25% Vermiculite)


So I dig this hole and fill it with this mix. Then in a 2ft diameter around the hole I break up the top soil @ 8" deep loosening the soil. Next, in a 12ft diameter around the center of the hole I spray water bottles filled with urine, sprinkle human hair, and lay down Dimataceous Earth; all to prevent animals/insects from wondering near my op.


The farmers almanac says the last frost date this spring is 04/20/12 and this first frost date this winter is 10/24/12, giving IL a rough growing period of 187days

the DNA Genetics LA Woman seed is a Feminized seed; it is a mostly Indica cross between the original LA and the Martian Mean Green; medium height, this strain grows like an Indica with one main cola; flowering time is 9 to 10 weeks. "stays short, and if you feed her heavily, the buds pack on the weight early and finish in the best part of 9 weeks. Don't be afraid to thin the large fan leaves in the 5th week or so. This will allow the light to penetrate the canopy and reach the lower sites and will be replaced within a week."

That being said and taken into account; from what I've read, flowering generally occurs in early to mid August and finishes in late September to early October; giving me a flowering window of @ 10-11 weeks

If I'm in the ground on 4/20 that gives me a vegetation window @ 14-15 weeks

I don't plan on planting until the daily low temps. are consistent with 50°F and higher

I plan to start the seedling in the paper towel method, then start in a 16oz plastic cup of top soil, with a few drain holes on the bottom, indoors with a single 200w cfl 2700k on an 18:6 ratio for @ 1 week (assuming temps. stay favorable)

Then Outside she goes until she's big enough to transplant into her big bed.

April 5th: Daily High:Low = 54°F:28°F
Previous 5 day High:Low Average = 61.8°F:41.6°F

Still too cold as does the farmers almanac state.

So this is the plan... this much I know and I've read on... I still have a few questions
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Should I line the bed with a small amount of vermiculite? or will I risk root rot?

Does anyone induce flowering with nutes in their outdoor grows? (i.e. Open Sesame)
I'm afraid of the frost coming early before shes done flowering thus compromising the objective

Can I still nute with Fox Farm nutes on their provided schedule and ratios? i.e. (grow big, tiger bloom, big bloom, open sesame, besatie bloomz, cha-ching)
Or do I risk over nute-ing her and again compromise the objective


This is where I'm at so far, thoughts, opinions, questions welcome..

updates and pics to come soon

Thanks,
Joan

***UPDATE 04/09***

April 9th: Daily High:Low = 61°F:32°F
Previous 5 Day Average = 58.4°F:32.6°F

So I've just prepared the site for the grow. I dug the 2ft x 2ft x 2ft hole and was really impressed with how nice the soil was all the way down. Nice and moist, falls apart in your hands, filled with an abundance of earthworms which is always a good sign. I surrounded the hole in a 12 ft diameter (6ft radius) with all the soil that was dug up. I plan to use this as my perimeter when I put down the Dimataceous Earth. I've already covered the perimeter with about 8oz of urine and intend to reapply urine with every visit.

The site is perfect. It's in a hard location to get too @ 1 mile off the trail. surrounded by marsh lands to both the North and South that; as I found out, are as deep as @ 3 feet in some parts and @ 100 yards long. I cleared the spot of any other plants/trees that would be blocking the direct sun light from hitting the spot. I took down two small 8-10ft saplings that I used to further barricade the outer perimeter from anyone/thing accidentally wondering into the area. The site is completely cornered off from the East and West by heavy forest and the addition of some rather cumbersome barricades. To the North a vast swap/pond as well as a fairly heavy forest help blockade the the North end. The south is where I enter from and is also blockaded by several fallen trees and branches with one way in. I'm thinking of blocking the entrance with something that will further detour anyone/anything from entering the site but that only I know how to get by or move.. I don't know just a thought. I do have an emergency escape route just in case but hopefully it forever remains a just in case. *pics coming*

I made a number of observations to the animal life that was in there area. The forest was definitely buzzing with the sounds of spring. I noticed a football sized bee's nest in the trees high above on the North end. I saw a number of Orioles and Cardinals flapping and hopping around. A pair of squirrels were going at it in the trees for most of the day. I also noticed a handful of insects that I wanted to mention and make sure I have defenses against them before they become a problem. Ants, some small beetles here and there, I saw a centipede when I was first clearing the area, a few spiders here and there and a couple tiny bright red spiders were on the forest floor when I was clearing the area; these all should be taken care of by the Dimataceous Earth. I also noticed one grub several feet away from the perimeter but it seemed to be long dead. Flies, most likely mosquitoes although i didn't notice any yet (too cold), I also noticed a handful of Monarch Butterflies which is not only good luck I would say but also a sign of a fertile spot? One would hope. It defintely seems like there will be an abundance of insects in the warm moist summer months ahead so I want to be prepared. Is there anything I can do to prepare ahead of time for such a problem in attempts to prevent it or do I simply wait for her to grow and start treating her with some type of organic repellant?

So I dug out the hole but I've yet to mix my soil up. A.K.A. this weeks project. I'm going to mix the super soil at home and let it cook until I get closer to D-Day. I covered the hole with a large old tee-shirt and staked the shirt into the ground so it wouldn't fall in or blow away then covered it was several branches and shrubs. I did this to keep any creatures or debris from getting into the hole and the cotton will allow the hole to aerate and breath a little. Now once I mix my super soil, can I let it cook in the hole without the layer of top soil atop of it? or does it have to cook in a garbage can or container of some sort that breaths to really combined all the organic matter?

So things so far are going well, looking at a possible May 1st D-Day. Still need some help with some of these questions. Any input is more than welcome
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Is there anything I can do to prepare ahead of time for such a problem in attempts to prevent it or do I simply wait for her to grow and start treating her with some type of organic repellant?

Now once I mix my super soil, can I let it cook in the hole without the layer of top soil atop of it? or does it have to cook in a garbage can or container of some sort that breaths to really combined all the organic matter?

Should I line the bed with a small amount of vermiculite? or will I risk root rot?


Thanks,
Joan

***Pics***

your crazy. great job on the spot and digging and preping. i would add perlit to the native soilunder my plant and around the hole. i would also mound up the soil about a foot. looks like if you get alot of rain you have some rot. also i wouldnt be making a big circle. planes see that shit and might think someone is hurt and needs help and come looking for someone.

Yeah man take it easy on the crop circles. Everyone says to cook in containers. Diff would be temp and water content. I think it's more or less to let the nutes start breaking down and don't think it will matter

Joan.figgens said:

***Pics***

Click to expand...

All this for 1 plant?.

Thanks Shizz,

I'll def add some perlite to the native soil.. and I was thinking about mounding up the soil as well, now that you said it I will most definitely do so. And I know I thought the same thing about the circle, I was hoping some rain would bring out some grass in the circle and make it less evident. I'll def keep and eye on it and make it more discrete.

Thanks for the reply powerslide, I think I'll end up cooking it in a container at home and transporting it to the site post cook.

Sunbiz1, yea unfortunately I can't afford the amount of soil needed to do more than one plant, and also this being only my 3rd grow experience I was hoping to keep it simple. With a hole this size and no restrictions to adhere by for plant height; I'm hoping she grows fairly large and yields somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5oz. I just really wanna make sure I'm able to manage the insects and ensure the best possible growing conditions that I can.


Also I don't think I stated this earlier: The site received direct sunlight on the prep day from aprox. 8am - 4pm.

Thanks for all the replies and inputs thus far
Joan

Joan.figgens said:

Thanks Shizz,

I'll def add some perlite to the native soil.. and I was thinking about mounding up the soil as well, now that you said it I will most definitely do so. And I know I thought the same thing about the circle, I was hoping some rain would bring out some grass in the circle and make it less evident. I'll def keep and eye on it and make it more discrete.

Thanks for the reply powerslide, I think I'll end up cooking it in a container at home and transporting it to the site post cook.

Sunbiz1, yea unfortunately I can't afford the amount of soil needed to do more than one plant, and also this being only my 3rd grow experience I was hoping to keep it simple. With a hole this size and no restrictions to adhere by for plant height; I'm hoping she grows fairly large and yields somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5oz. I just really wanna make sure I'm able to manage the insects and ensure the best possible growing conditions that I can.


Also I don't think I stated this earlier: The site received direct sunlight on the prep day from aprox. 8am - 4pm.

Thanks for all the replies and inputs thus far
Joan

Click to expand...

Good morning,

I'm going into my 7th outdoor growing season here(5 prior to that in Florida), and your site looks like one of mine(lol's). I see you have a tree line to the south, that's a good thing...you'll see why come September. First off, put back half of that wonderful, nutrient rich, microbe rich soil you just dug out. It has almost everything you need, only some of it is locked up in clay. That can be easily resolved by amending the existing soil w/compost. You are spending an enormous amount of time/$$ replacing good soil with another good soil, and it isn't necessary.

I dump compost during winter, come back in spring and dump again a month before planting(of course mixed when ground is thawed). Then I simply bring my transplants, water, water retention crystals, and a bit of organic granule fertilizer. And that's it, no hauling dirt on foot etc and you'll get the same results.

What I have found out from growing in the great state of Illinois would be that our soil is supper good for growing. ( best soil in the world) I did a experiment a couple years ago testing this theory and it came out extremely well. I started seeds in the native soil and just added perlite to the soil the plant grew twice as fast! All those wonderful microbes just took care of the plant for it's first month of growing and needed nothing. I couldn't believe how strong and bushy the plant was in a month. Then I amended organic soil with the native soil for the transplant along with some horse manure. Which at that time I wasn't quite the expert I am now on manures but still had great results in the end. I would definitely keep a good amount of the native soil in our mix along with a lot of perlite. I put like 50% perlite in mine and they love the room I give them along with all the great oxygen!

Stay in touch..knowledge is everything! I'm gonna need it and you sound pretty knowledgeable!

I'm grabbing a seat. Good info so far keep it coming.

I would dig another hole close by using strictly the native soil and supp w/ espoma through the grow and see how much of a diff you get. Like others said your area has good soil already. Think you may be surprised

Hey thanks again to everyone for all of the responses and in put thus far.

So with these recent developments and me realizing again just how poor I am, I've decided to detour from the Sub Cool Super soil mix and go with your recommendations of using the natural soil. Also I've decided to go a bit bigger with the operation and go with 3 plants (explain why later). However I now left with a few more questions I'm hoping you can help with.

Ok so for starters I'm still pretty poor. The original reason I was only going to do 1 plant was because I have only 1 guaranteed female seed (L.A. Woman), however; I also have 3 known genetic non-feminized seeds (actual strain I'm unsure at this point, need to get home and see what they are again). But because they are non-feminized, I feel that it would be better if I did 2 of them, that way I have at least a 50/50 chance of getting a female. And if I get 2 females, all the better, and If I get 2 males, at least Ill keep one to breed with the L.A. Woman to have seeds for next season. My hope is to have 1 male 1 female, but I would not be upset with all girls.

So now the plan is to dig up 2 more 60 gallon holes, and mix the soil I dig up with this new recipe/amendment. My first question is going to be, what is the recipe? If I have 60 gallons of soil that I'm going to sift through and remove any only root systems and such, what am I adding to it, and how should I go about mixing/cooking this recipe?

I know you said compost and I looked up the compost sold at the local nursery I'm plan to purchase from. The have Purple Cow Compost in a 1cu/ft bag. How much compost would I need for a 60 gallon mix?

My original recipe had 20% (Perlite Vermiculite mix with a 3:1 ratio) 3waystogreatness said he uses @50% Perlite and that his plants love the room and oxygen so I decided to jump up the amount in y recipe to 33% still with a 3:1 ratio. That means 1 bag of vermiculite ($25) and 2 bags of perlite ($3 so so far I'm at $63 + time invested.

Now several people have made mention to granule organic fertilizers, especially that of the Epsoma brand. In the interest of trying to conserve $ is there anything I already have that I can use? That being said, I already have (blood meal, bone meal, dolomite lime, bat guano, epsom salt, and @ 1/2cu.ft of earthworm castings) would I be able to use the original Recipe I had in conjunction with the Natural Soil and Compost? Would I want to separate the super soil and top soil mix like in Sub Cools? or just mix everything as one?

Another question I'd have is how would I go about mixing the soil on site? Just make a pile and mix it the best I can? do I need to let it cook? are there any techniques to this process?

One thing I am quite concerned about is insects and bugs. (ants, beatles, spiders, flys, ect...) Is there anything I can do to prepare a defense against these things besides the Dimatacious Earth and Organic sprays? Do I have anything to worry about at this stage of the operation?

If I assume at least 1 bag of compost per hole at $15/per bag.. I'm looking at a total investment of @ $110 + time invested.. doable so far.. I might also use some earth worm castings if using the original recipe. 10lbs per 60gallons means 30lbs needed or (2) 15lb bags at $18 per so $36 additional putting it at $150.. still looking ok for $.. factor in Dimatacious Earth at $10 per bag (4.4lbs) Not sure how much of this will be necessary to defend 3 plants though. Any thoughts?

So now I need to track out there and clear/prep/dig 2 more holes and also further blockade the site, lay down more urine, ect because now its getting to be pretty serious with 3 potential plants. Another question that's come up is how far about should I place each plant? I would like to try and keep a 12ft radius with Dimatacious Earth surrounding them because I am terrified of insects destroying and compromising my operation.

lots of questions this time around, please don't feel as though I'm being ignorant and taking advantage of your knowledge and input by asking so many. I do read a lot on my own and try to answer as many questions for myself before asking.
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New Soil Recipe:
60 gallons Natural Illinois Soil
20 gallons (perlite/vermiculite, 3:1)
? cu/ft Purple Cow Compost
? fertilizers/soil amendments

On the soil alone, (recipe, how to mix, cooking, super soil and top soil or all as one, can I use the nutrients I already have)?

Optimal distance between each plant?

Preparation and Defending against all bugs/insects? More than just urine and dimatacious earth?


Thanks again for everyones inputs, I really do appreciate the shared knowledge.
Knowledge is power and once you have it, no one can take it away from you.

Joan Figgens

***Update***

Thus far April's weather averages:
Temp High/Low: 59°F/37°F
Precipitation: 0 inches/ per 11 days

So temps are still too cold and still haven't received any rain. Still looking like the 1 week of May for D-day meaning I'd be starting inside the last week of April. Giving the girls a vegetation time window of aprox. 13 weeks with the 1st week being inside. Hoping to harvest the last week of September leaves a flowering time window of aprox. 9 weeks, assuming flowering begins in early August; a late September early October Harvest is hopeful.

I was originally hoping to pull down between 3-5 dry ounces off of 1 plant. Seeing as how there's no height limitations, I was hoping for her to grow large and strong with big colas.

Now with the possibility of having 3 females, I'd be very happy with anywhere from 3-12 dry ounces, all for personal medication, hopefully enough to last me until the next season if I'm lucky and that's really all I could ask for. I'm not a greedy individual nor do I intend on using any of this for profit. But seeing as how my first 2 grow experiences did not end with positive quality end results. I'm hoping this time it will be different.



Thoughts, opinions, questions, concerns welcome

Thanks,
Joan Figgens

You're asking a lot of questions, lol. For starters, why not eliminate the possibility of wasting time with males all summer. Do you still have that LED set-up?. If so, start your seeds now on a 12/12 light schedule. They will show sex in a month, maybe sooner. From there they can go straight into the ground, and they will revert back into vegetative growth. Use the worm castings as indoor fertilizer, it won't help you outdoors b/c as you have seen the native soil is already full of worm droppings. Use mushroom compost, 4 bucks/bag at Home Depot that also carries Epsoma line. That existing soil is already loaded with rich nutrients, so the compost is for aeration more than any nutrient value.

I do still have the LED but the cab was at a different house and has since been destroyed. I'm trying to minimize the amount of time spent indoor growing to avoid detection from the supreme ruler aka the wife lol. She doesn't want anything like the last set up I had going on in the new house which is the reason I'm pushing for outdoors while still keeping it classified from her.

I found the links you shared with another member via home depot for soil and the Epsoma line. I'm sure my local home depot carries everything I'll need.

From what I've been reading today; I noticed that super soils made from scratch like my original recipe and Sub Cool's Recipe require "cooking" to allow all the organic matter to meld and combined so that the plant can access and use it efficiently without burning the plant. If I'm planning to be in the ground outside by the first week of May I'd have to mix my soil and let it start cooking ASAP to get a minimum of 20 days or so of cook time, and as of right now, I'm still waiting for some funds to come in and this doesn't exactly jive with my plans and or the weather at this point (suppose to rain alot the next 7 days or so)

So I'm looking at this new soil recipe and trying to come up with some quantities/ratios for the ingredients

Illinois Outdoor Soil Recipe:
60 gallons Illinois Natural Soil (clean of rocks, roots, debris)
26.66 gallons (Perlite/Vermiculite in a 3:1 Ratio)
15 gallons (2ft³) Mushroom Compost
? Espoma Tone Plant Food


I figured because the compost was so cheap, why not go for 15 gallons of compost to 60 gallons of soil (1:4 ratio of compost:soil)

My few questions left over are:

How much Espoma should I add to the recipe?

Is there any "cooking" of the soil required with this recipe?

Is there a proper process for mixing this soil? Or do i just dig up the dirt, toss all the ingredients in a pile, mix them around the best I can, add some water, and toss it back in the hole, call it a day?


Thanks so much for all your input Sunbiz1. It's really appreciated and even more relevant because you are also familiar with Illinois soil and outdoor grows. I hope with your help and everyone's help here at RIU that I can have my first honestly successful grow with exceptional results.

One last question that's been eating away at me for a little, insects and bugs.

Is there anything I can do at this stage of the operation to prevent and defend against these insurgents? besides the dimatacious earth and urine I already plan to use

Shopping List for 3 (60 gallon) holes:

(6) 1ft³ Bags of Mushroom Compost $4/per = $24
(2) 4ft³ Bags of Perlite $19/per = $38
(1) 4ft³ Bag of Vermiculite = $25
(x) 4lb. Bag of Espoma Tone Plant Food $8/per = $8(x)

Total: @ $100

Definitely not to shabby thus far.


I just thought of 1 more question. Now that I wont be using Roots and BioBizz Light, I won't have any just laying around to start my seedlings in.

What would be a good, cheap soil I can start them in? Obviously adding some perlite to it, and maybe some of the earthworm castings I still have?

I'll only need enough for (3) 16oz cups or 48oz




Thanks again to everyone so far with all the kind words and helpful information
Joan Figgens

Here's a pic from last year, won't be using the same site this year, but it went very well. I was looking up when taking this picture, planted late May at a 1' height and grew to 9 in less than 3 months.

I have your PM, will respond in full as time permits.

Glad I never married, either she smokes or is not a candidate anyways in my book...lol.

Wow that looks phenomenal! Just 1 plant? What did you pull down from that?

She smokes, she's just a total tweak in all senses of the word and afraid that the world is out to get her. It works out though.

How big of a hole did you dig for that? Recipe?

Joan.figgens said:

Wow that looks phenomenal! Just 1 plant? What did you pull down from that?

She smokes, she's just a total tweak in all senses of the word and afraid that the world is out to get her. It works out though.

How big of a hole did you dig for that? Recipe?

Click to expand...

There was no recipe for that one, it went straight into the ground with zero amendment....hole was only large enough to accommodate existing root ball. All I did was toss some epsoma in the hole and occasionally watered with molasses tea. So now you know, it isn't necessary to do a whole lot on guerrilla grows...these are invasive weeds, not orchids...lol. Can't the wife live with a few harmless plants for a month?, the alternative is not very good b/c you may have to simply pull those other 3 plants come late July.

I found a way to start inside and make it work for a month without the wife knowing.

I got a grow space of 6ft wide x 4ft tall x 1.66ft deep. I have lots of wood laying around so I'm going to build a box the same style as the LED Grow Cab ASAP. Line it with mylar, constant air exchange, hollow wall light trap, caulked, sealed, humidifier, and a 200w 9600k CFL per plant. I'm going to begin construction tomorrow. Wife will be working all day lol.

Now I'm going to start in a 16oz cup, but they will surely need to be transplanted into a larger container before they go outside. How big of a container should I jump into after the 16oz? I'm thinking 2-gallon

Will the one 200w CFL suffice for the month?

Now I'm going to need a bag of soil for both the cups and the transplant pots, any recommendations on something cheap? I can toss it up with some (perlite/vermiculite) and earthworm castings