Site Selection


In my opinion site selection is the most important factor when growing outdoors. This is what determines how successful your grow will be and there are many aspects to consider.

Probably the first thing you'll need to think about, is finding a spot where there is minimal to no chance of someone stumbling across it.

I try and look for an out of the way, inconspicuous area totally overgrown with native trees and shrubs. I choose native flaura, such as wattles and the like. They usually have a yellow/amber coloured flower similar to the similar to the glowing amber crystals of ripening buds. This is also handy in hiding the plants from choppers and planes, because from the air its actually actually the beakon of reasin glands that stand out to the pilots and not the green of the leaves. You may need to snap or cut branches of the native trees to allow sufficient light to get to your plants.

Valley's are great areas to grow weed. Not only are they usually filled with rich organic topsoil from previous floodings, but are also not as easily seen by passing choppers and planes.
When growing in valley's, be aware that there is a chance flooding can occur during the rainy season, turning your little secret valley into a small river or inland sea. Because of this fact, i dont plant in the lower points of the valley. I keep planting to the sides of it.

Clumps of lantana are also good areas to grow a few plants in. It is a dence, thick noxious shrub with with small dark leaves and the small flower clusters come in a range of colours. It has spikey kind of branches that are uninviting to predators including man. You'll probly need to push out a sort of tunnel to gain access to the centre of the lantana. Just make sure ya cover the entrance point up somehow. You can usually find a branches or something nearby to hide the entrance point.
Lantana has a kinda pungeant/sweet odour which i think helps hide the smell of the stinky buds.

Crown land or government land, sometimes have previously cleared areas for fire breaks, access tracks and so forth. Generally when the land is cleared, the trees that are pushed over get shoved into big stacks by the heavey clearing machinery. I have found these to be excellent for concealing a few plants. You may have to move a few logs to get down to the soil level, but IMO the effort is definately worth it. Not only is it a good camourflage but is also a great barrier against predators and acts as a good windbreak. If at all possible use stacks of hardwood rather than soft. Termites don't partucularly like eating hardwood. They'd much prefer to chew through soft wood.

Once you've selected your prospective spot, take a good look around the immediate area. Make sure there are no rabbit burrows. They will dig and tear the shit out of your plants looking for moisture. Steel mesh or rio can be put down on the ground if rabbits are a concern. The steel mesh stops the animals from being able to dig. It's also useful for tieing down the plants branches if you choose to.

Also have a good look at the surrounding trees in the area. If theres a hollow in the tree there is a chance that a possum has made himself a home in there. If there is a tree like this find another location. Possums love the taste of buds.

If you're planning on using a creek, dam or river for your water supply this should also be considered in your site selection.


Always search your land and neighbouring land to your grow location for prints, food packets or evidence of campers. When choosing a spot, consideration should always be made to anyone who possibly throughout the whole summer could aproach your location. Using some locations in your local area were you have personal knowledge of whom gos on that land and whom owns it is a good idea. In general most grow spots will have unwanted human visitors, but this is were all LST and a stealthily placed plants can save your crop. Acceptions need to made soemtimes, risks need to be taken... not everyone will find good locations. In my area they are crap.

Its fairly easy to find a nice grow spot, but to find a grow spot were no-one will even aproach through the whole entire summer... well... thats hard.

Also consider, is this location secure enough for you to sit and work with your plants for half hour or so... because if your going to shit yourself when your in the location that isn't pleasent, try finding somewere you can feel secure working.

If your growing in abandoned houses and abandoned backgardens always check neighbouring electricity posts for any signs indicating the house could be demolished. Also when growing in buildings ect always have an escape route planned.