What to look for when choosing natural soil in BC?

[Ozone25]

I've been researching the topic of guerrilla growing for the better part of two weeks now. I have only done indoor growing and have had a few successful grows.

To gain the best information out of this thread I want to start with my intentions of how I plan on doing my guerrilla grow.

As well as enjoying growing marijuana, I also enjoy photography and hiking. My plans are to hike into an area far off the beaten path to find patches where I can begin my grows. The main thing is I will NOT be carrying in soil. Only very basic items such as clones, nutrients and other small materials.

I will have a 88 litre hiking back which will contain all my essentials for camping along with my photography gear. I will first find a spot and begin developing it. Then after hike back and meet a friend who will bring me the clones to plant.

The trouble I am having is finding information on what to look for when picking soil locations. I constantly read that I should carry in my own soil, but this will not be the case. From my research I have found that areas with Stinging Nettle, will have soil with high nitrogen, as well humus since stinging nettle dyes each year.

I imagine its not as simple as just churning the soil where the nettle grows and throwing in a clone. I would assume that to maximize growth potential, there would be a need for sand, clay, and mulch (or some combination). But where to look out in the backcountry for these materials(I don't mind bringing in perlit)? I live on the South Coast of British Columbia, if that is of any help.

As I stated before, I have no problem bringing in my own nutrients(kelp, guano's, worm castings). Ideally I would like to grow organically. But this isn't completely set in stone.

Any links or suggestions on where I can continue my research would be greatly appreciated as at this point I have hit a road block.

 

[J.V]

Hey Ozone....Check out Reibsi's Ganja Gardens 2005. Should be some good information and ideas regarding guerrilla growing in Canada.

In regard to growing in native soil, my #1 choice is nice fertile loamy/silty soil. The kind of soil found along the banks of creeks and rivers.

 

[amanda88]

My Bf grows this way, I help him each season, by growing the plants to about 2-3 feet high, you may want stretchy plants, so you need to dig about 2 ft down, a hole 2ft deep means you don't have to water them that much, and have settled into the location within 2-3 days, another advantage is that they can fight off bugs and weather with ease ...good luck

 

[gorilla ganja]

Sounds like we have a very similar style.
Look for areas with a thick humus layers. Under any forest canopy this can be found. You may have to scrape a large area to build your holes. If possible sand is great to add to improve drainage. Sounds like your preparing for next season. So scope out several areas and dig test holes. Test the soil, at the very least a cheap kit can be bought to check for PH, N-P-K.
Check out areas for native growth, how does it look, lush green?, nutrient deficient?
You'll find certain plants grow in certain areas, some need good soil, some can grow in a rock. After digging around a bit you can get a good idea what kind of plants to look for to find decent soil.
Chemical fertilizers are a lot lighter for the most part. Bringing in bags of manure or worm casting are no lighter than dirt.
After you check the soil you may find it has most of what it needs already. Adjust fertilizers accordingly. Remember that it takes time to adjust soil. So try and prepare at least a month ahead so fertilizers, lime, ect. have time to break down and are available.
Check out my thread below to see what I did this yr.

1 last thing, if hiding them in a forest spend a full day there so you can see how the sun moves throughout the day. Which trees shade, and where the best spots are for light. These are just some basics, but in a lot of cases the basics are all that is needed. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Best of luck
Peace GG

 

[Ourobouros]

Soil can best be determined as far as its suitability by simply looking at what is already growing there. Look for high energy nitrophilic plants like large annuals or conspicuously healthy brambles. Great soil will always have big healthy plants already growing in it. If you can pull these out by hand (or nearly so) because its so deep and uncompacted, you may have found your jackpot. This will also select for groundwater availability if you scout late in the summer when such attributes become obvious. If the weeds look tall, healthy and green into the late summer, so will your plants. Cannabis will thrive in almost any such conditions without help.