G
Guest
I've seen this question asked about once a week since I've been a member, so I thought i would share what I know about finding places to grow. Often, there are
area specific approaches but I believe these to be general in nature.. I know many others have their own site selection approaches so feel free to add anything you may know.
Let me preface my suggestions by defining "grow site".
My suggestions for grow sites aren't "patch" oriented. I live in an area that is very heavily survielled
and the concept of a "patch" went away in the early 90s. Last year in my state, over a half a million pot plants were cut by the 3 federal eradication agencies that operate here, and many of those were in sites with less than 10 plants.
If you live in a vast, remote area, a patch may be a consideration for you, but even though I live in a very rural, rugged area, its not an option for me. I have 29 grow sites that grow a total of 40 plants.
Most of the plants are individual plants. Just one. My efforts are focused much more on getting the most
of each individual plant as opposed to trying to grow lots of plants. I have come to believe this is the most
efficient approach to growing at least for me.
Strains: Don't overlook the importance of the strain to site selection. What is it you're trying to hide, a 4' single cola
or a 12' sativa.? These 2 sites can be very different places. You can hide the single cola plant by itself anywhere and these sites are very easy to find. Just one compact single cola.. 5oz.
The 12 footer needs a special place. The point is that when you head out to search, think about the plant your hiding. Often, I will find a good site and then assess it for the proper plant structure. If i have found a good spot next to a creek, Im not gonna plant a plant that will mould there. I'll put my earliest flowerers in my riskiest spots, so that i can harvest and be gone as soon as
possible. Theres a lot to consider with site selection;
Soil: Concealment isnt the only issue you need to consider. This has to be a major consideration in site selection. Don't skip away singing "they'll never find them here" without taking back a cup full of soil to test.
Sites:
Right under everyones nose: Don't assume you have to be in the middle of BFE. Leo tends to search BFE a lot.
Ive seen some good harvest taken just outside the city limits, near that old junkyard or railroad track. Again, you cant plant a patch but a plant. Smalll statured single cola plants are easy to hide if your only planting 1. A fence row, small patch of overgrown weeds, litterally anywhere that has a little overgrowth. Those spots exists closer by.
State and county roads: Often when states put in new roads, they will travel through farm land. Farms are cut by the road and the state will have to buy that small part of the farm because it has been rendered unusable by the farmer. The state does not maintain this right of way land and it makes great grow sites.
Dept. Natural Resources/ Div. of Abandoned lands: All US states have these.
Farmers and landowners die without any real family and with no will. This land is taken by the state but it is
approximately a 12 year process for the state to take ownership here. These farms are grown up and easy to find.
I found 11 farms totalling over 4000 acres in my county. A new piece of prospecive ground shows up ever few months. You can do the homework from your computer. They usually have a aerial view of the property you can download.
These sites are public. They hope that some long lost relative will see it and show up to collect. It rarely happens.
Interstate Islands: Often 4 lane state roads and interstates are divided and in my part of the country,
that divide is significant and provides lots of opportunity. Single plants here. This is federal property and a federal crime so be
professional. No playing here, in and out after dark - hardy strains.
Creeks: Shallow, fast moving streams will often divide and leave an island that isnt easily accessible. You'll have to wade but
sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
Building projects and developments: When big building projects are undertaken, either residential housing or commercial, land is bull dozed and the material is taken to the last point that will be addressed during the project. Many projects take several years and very often, the developer has had to buy the entire property but only needs 40 acres, and the other 6 will set there and grow up. Do your homework, find out whats going on and take advantage of the opp.Watch.
Other peoples farms: I know this has some ethical issues but in my area, unless the land owner has been arrested for growing or possession, the police aren't going to arrest them . Its the most common method around here, most land owners are clueless and the law knows it.. Ravines, fallen trees that can't be mowed, old fallen over barns that are grown up, thorn patches,
and anywhere else. Check your area to see how the law handles it, don't put anyone in jeapordy.
State Wildlife Preserves: Do you know what they do with the farms where the owner died with no family that spends 12 years in the state court system? They turn into these. Check with fish and wildlife to find out where they are.
Abandoned farms: The old man died and the old woman's in a nursing home. Their family lives 1000 miles away and the farm has gone to hell. It won't be sold until the mother dies. Drive your county, you'll see them
Utility Easments: Hi power transfer lines or local spurs, gas lines and other utillties take wide swaths through wooded areas. These easments grow up for 3-5 years and then they clear them again. Pay attention and good grows are to be had here.
Finally, don't forget all the ways you might impact a prospective site and improve it. I have 4 " DANGEROUS SNAKES IN AREA" signs that make good deterents. These signs aren't that unusual around here and most people will avoid the area when they see the sign nailed to a tree near what may be an entry point.
Ive found them very effective when used at some sites. BE CREATIVE. Be smart. Don't get caught.
This is what I know, who can add something?
area specific approaches but I believe these to be general in nature.. I know many others have their own site selection approaches so feel free to add anything you may know.
Let me preface my suggestions by defining "grow site".
My suggestions for grow sites aren't "patch" oriented. I live in an area that is very heavily survielled
and the concept of a "patch" went away in the early 90s. Last year in my state, over a half a million pot plants were cut by the 3 federal eradication agencies that operate here, and many of those were in sites with less than 10 plants.
If you live in a vast, remote area, a patch may be a consideration for you, but even though I live in a very rural, rugged area, its not an option for me. I have 29 grow sites that grow a total of 40 plants.
Most of the plants are individual plants. Just one. My efforts are focused much more on getting the most
of each individual plant as opposed to trying to grow lots of plants. I have come to believe this is the most
efficient approach to growing at least for me.
Strains: Don't overlook the importance of the strain to site selection. What is it you're trying to hide, a 4' single cola
or a 12' sativa.? These 2 sites can be very different places. You can hide the single cola plant by itself anywhere and these sites are very easy to find. Just one compact single cola.. 5oz.
The 12 footer needs a special place. The point is that when you head out to search, think about the plant your hiding. Often, I will find a good site and then assess it for the proper plant structure. If i have found a good spot next to a creek, Im not gonna plant a plant that will mould there. I'll put my earliest flowerers in my riskiest spots, so that i can harvest and be gone as soon as
possible. Theres a lot to consider with site selection;
Soil: Concealment isnt the only issue you need to consider. This has to be a major consideration in site selection. Don't skip away singing "they'll never find them here" without taking back a cup full of soil to test.
Sites:
Right under everyones nose: Don't assume you have to be in the middle of BFE. Leo tends to search BFE a lot.
Ive seen some good harvest taken just outside the city limits, near that old junkyard or railroad track. Again, you cant plant a patch but a plant. Smalll statured single cola plants are easy to hide if your only planting 1. A fence row, small patch of overgrown weeds, litterally anywhere that has a little overgrowth. Those spots exists closer by.
State and county roads: Often when states put in new roads, they will travel through farm land. Farms are cut by the road and the state will have to buy that small part of the farm because it has been rendered unusable by the farmer. The state does not maintain this right of way land and it makes great grow sites.
Dept. Natural Resources/ Div. of Abandoned lands: All US states have these.
Farmers and landowners die without any real family and with no will. This land is taken by the state but it is
approximately a 12 year process for the state to take ownership here. These farms are grown up and easy to find.
I found 11 farms totalling over 4000 acres in my county. A new piece of prospecive ground shows up ever few months. You can do the homework from your computer. They usually have a aerial view of the property you can download.
These sites are public. They hope that some long lost relative will see it and show up to collect. It rarely happens.
Interstate Islands: Often 4 lane state roads and interstates are divided and in my part of the country,
that divide is significant and provides lots of opportunity. Single plants here. This is federal property and a federal crime so be
professional. No playing here, in and out after dark - hardy strains.
Creeks: Shallow, fast moving streams will often divide and leave an island that isnt easily accessible. You'll have to wade but
sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
Building projects and developments: When big building projects are undertaken, either residential housing or commercial, land is bull dozed and the material is taken to the last point that will be addressed during the project. Many projects take several years and very often, the developer has had to buy the entire property but only needs 40 acres, and the other 6 will set there and grow up. Do your homework, find out whats going on and take advantage of the opp.Watch.
Other peoples farms: I know this has some ethical issues but in my area, unless the land owner has been arrested for growing or possession, the police aren't going to arrest them . Its the most common method around here, most land owners are clueless and the law knows it.. Ravines, fallen trees that can't be mowed, old fallen over barns that are grown up, thorn patches,
and anywhere else. Check your area to see how the law handles it, don't put anyone in jeapordy.
State Wildlife Preserves: Do you know what they do with the farms where the owner died with no family that spends 12 years in the state court system? They turn into these. Check with fish and wildlife to find out where they are.
Abandoned farms: The old man died and the old woman's in a nursing home. Their family lives 1000 miles away and the farm has gone to hell. It won't be sold until the mother dies. Drive your county, you'll see them
Utility Easments: Hi power transfer lines or local spurs, gas lines and other utillties take wide swaths through wooded areas. These easments grow up for 3-5 years and then they clear them again. Pay attention and good grows are to be had here.
Finally, don't forget all the ways you might impact a prospective site and improve it. I have 4 " DANGEROUS SNAKES IN AREA" signs that make good deterents. These signs aren't that unusual around here and most people will avoid the area when they see the sign nailed to a tree near what may be an entry point.
Ive found them very effective when used at some sites. BE CREATIVE. Be smart. Don't get caught.
This is what I know, who can add something?
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