How's this for a location?

[ogrefugee]

I found a nice place in a valley along side a creek that would recieve sunlight all day except for 1 hour in the morning. About 10 feet from the creek everything is brush and thickets, but there is a clearing in the middle of the thicket. I dug two and a half feet untill i hit the water level. Is it good for the plants to be so close to the water level? I plan to plant with my own soil and clones (will harden them before the move).

what do you guys think?

 

[sm0kateer4204]

google search you average rain amounts over the spring summer and fall. places vary so much, the creek could dry out over the summer or flood

 

[bongasaurus]

sounds pretty good to me. got any pics?

i figure that the low water level could be used to your advantage. once the roots reach down into it you shouldnt have to worry too much about hiking in to water them every few days. kinda like the swamp growing idea i would think...

 

[T.doT.Toker]

Hey u jus described exactly how my spot is. Im in ontario. I might add though that around sept everything went moldy. It was like it snowed and when u walked through the bushes white mildew totaly covered me. The plants like 30 feet away on higher ground were perfectly fine tho. Have u been to this spot befor during moldy season?

 

[Guest]

I have grown mistakenly next to a creek with horrible results. too many animals near water, roots shouldnt stay soggy, your plant will suck ass if it has "wet" roots outdoors, and this will most likey lead to mold, it can flood, if your going to use the same spot, make sure it faces south, make a raised bed, so your roots can drain and be healthy, i have 1 spot thats in wetland area, dug holes, this was many years ago though, and the plants still harvested but it was pathetic, the new idea was to make a raised bed 2 feet thick with perlite mixed in, i had christmas trees last year.

 

[T.doT.Toker]

What kind of mold did you get. My plants thrived but maybe because we had a unusually hot summer and it wasnt as wet.

 

[dmcheatw]

isn't valleys next to streams where the most fertile soil is? i am quite interested in choosing spots that are naturally fertile, how do i identify this? i was under the impression streams carried fertile soil, so should you mix silt with the natural soil in ur area?

my area also has a lot of natural water sources so this is of interest to me

 

[T.doT.Toker]

Heres some info i found in a link posted but sativa.

13.2 Types of Soil

Each soil has its own unique properties. These properties determine how the soil and plants will interact. For our purposes, all soils can be classified as sands, silts, clays, mucks, and loams. Actually, soils are usually a combination of these ingredients. If you look carefully at a handful of soil, you may notice sand granules, pieces of organic matter, bits of clay, and fine silty material.

Sandy Soils

Sands are formed from ground or weathered rocks such as limestone, quartz, granite, and shale. Sandy soils may drain too well. Consequently, they may have trouble holding moisture and nutrients, which leach away with heavy rain or watering. Some sandy soils are fertile because they contain significant amounts (up to two percent of organic matter, which also aids their water-holding capacity. Sandy soils are rich in potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and trace elements, but are often too low in phosphorous (P) and especially nitrogen (N). N, which is the most soluble of the elements, is quickly leached from sandy soil. Vegetation on sands which is pale, yellowed, stunted, or scrawny indicates low nutrients, usually low N.

Sandy soils can be prepared for cultivation without much trouble. They must be cleared of ground cover and treated with humus, manure, or other N-containing fertilisers. In dry areas, or areas with a low water table, organic matter may be worked into the soil to increase water-holding capacity as well as fertility. Sandy soil does not usually have to be turned or tilled. Roots can penetrate it easily, and only the planting row need be hoed immediately before planting. Growers can fertilise with water-soluble mixes and treat sandy soil almost like a hydroponic medium.

Sandy soils are also good candidates for a system of sheet composting (spreading layers of uncomposted vegetative matter over the garden), which allows nutrients to gradually leach into the soil layers. Sheet composting also prevents evaporation of soil water, since it functions as a mulch.

Silts

Silts are soils composed of minerals (usually quartz) and fine organic particles. To the casual eye, they look like a mucky clay when wet, and resemble dark sand or brittle clods when dry. They are the result of alluvial flooding, that is, are deposits from flooding rivers and lakes. Alluvial soils are usually found in the Midwest, in valleys, and along river plains. The Mississippi Delta is a fertile alluvial plain.

Silts hold moisture but drain well, are easy to work when moist, and are considered among the most fertile soils. They are frequently irrigated to extend the length of the growing season. Unless they have been depleted by faulty farming techniques, silts are rich in most nutrients. They often support healthy, vigorous vegetation. This indicates a good supply of N.

Mucks

Mucks are formed in areas with ample rainfall which supports dense vegetation. They are often very fertile, but may be quite acidic. They usually contain little potassium.

Mucks range from very dense to light sandy soils. The denser ones may need heavy tilling to ensure healthy root development, but the lighter ones may be cleared and planted in mounds. Mucks can support dense vegetation, and are often turned over so that the weeds thus destroyed form a green manure.

Clay Soils

Clays are composed of fine crystalline particles which have been formed by chemical reactions between minerals. Clays are sticky when wet, and can be moulded or shaped. When dry, they form hard clods or a pattern of square cracks along the surface of the ground. Clays are usually hard to work and drain poorly. Marijuana roots have a hard time penetrating clay soils unless these soils are well-tilled to loosen them up. Additions of perlite, sand, compost, gypsum, manure, and fresh clippings help to keep the soil loose. Clay soils in low-lying areas, such as stream banks, may retain too much water, which will make the plants susceptible to root and stem rots. To prevent this, some growers construct mounds about six inches to one foot high, so that the stems and tap roots remain relatively dry.

Clay soils are often very fertile. How well marijuana does in clay soils usually depends on how well these soils drain. In certain areas "clay" soils regularly support corn cotton. This type of soil will support a good crop of marijuana. Red colour in clay soil (red dirt) indicates good aeration and a "loose" soil that drains well. Blue or gray clays have poor aeration and must be loosened in order to support healthy growth.

A typical schedule for preparing a heavy clay soil In the late fall, before frost, turn soil, adding fresh soil conditioners, such as leaves, grass clippings, fresh manure, or tankage. Gypsum may also be added to loosen the soil. Spread a ground cover, such as clover, vetch, or rye. In early spring, making sure to break up the large clods, and add composts and sand if needed. At planting time, till with a hoe where the seeds are to be planted.

As the composts and green manure raise the organic level in the soil, it becomes less dense. Each year, the soil is easier to work and easier for the roots to penetrate. After a few years, you may find that you only need to turn under the cover crop. No other tilling will be needed.

Loams

Loams are a combination of about 40 percent each of sand and silt, and about 20 percent clay. Organic loams have at least 20 percent organic matter. In actuality, a soil is almost always a combination of these components, and is described in terms of that combination, e.g., sandy silt, silty clay, sandy clay, or organic silty clay. Loams range from easily worked fertile soils to densely packed sod. Loams with large amounts of organic matter can support a good marijuana crop with little modification.

 

[Guest]

note: do not use any of those soils for growing.

 

[T.doT.Toker]

lol i dont think the sandy or clayay would work or even the loam. Isnt loam very acidic?

 

[Captain Skunk]

Alluvial soils are usually found in the Midwest, in valleys, and along river plains. The Mississippi Delta is a fertile alluvial plain.

Silts hold moisture but drain well, are easy to work when moist, and are considered among the most fertile soils. They are frequently irrigated to extend the length of the growing season. Unless they have been depleted by faulty farming techniques, silts are rich in most nutrients. They often support healthy, vigorous vegetation. This indicates a good supply of N.

I have grown in flood plains and river bottoms for several years with great results. Riverbottoms are unique and the natural fertility of the soil requires very little ammending, as long as it is properly tilled.

Planting a few feet above the water table is a great way to avoid the need to water your plants. Even in the driest seasons the tap root will seek out the water table and provide you plant with moisture.

Just like swamp grows, (where containers are placed in standing water) as long as the majority of the root system, is able to absorb oxygen and breathe, your plants will flourish.

A key point to planting close to rivers and creeks, is to be aware of the high water mark during extended periods of rain or spring melt off. Plants will die quickly if allowed to stand in water with thier root systems completely submerged.

Be aware of areas used by hunters and anglers. As mentioned, animals may also use the creek. Larger bodies of water attract boaters and kayakers, so choose a location that hides your grow from the water.

Springtime is a good time to scout your area when the creeks are swollen, You can easily pick the higher ground and avoid the risk of drowning your plants.








good luck

 

[BagseedSamurai]

My .02

I knew a guy who grew. He grew in a valley. It rained really bad for a couuple days and his plants were gonna drown. He grabbed them and was on his way home with them..got busted.

Or so he says. Probably bullshit.

 

[T.doT.Toker]

Do you know where i can find my water table? Is it jus where the water lies underneath the ground.

 

[slyfoxberg]

Do you know where i can find my water table? Is it jus where the water lies underneath the ground.

yes