growing outdoors in Colorado

[copobo]

I feel like it's almost time to start planning (and sprouting or cloning!)

I've never done any outdoor growing in CO. When I was young, grew on the east coast with good results. Water wasn't as much of an issue there as I'm sure it is here.

I'd like to try this year and am hoping some experienced outdoors growers can offer some advice.

It would be cool to coop some land and not be gorilla.

A few beginner questions-

What Strains have folks had success with?

Seed or pre-sprouted/clones to what height? How do you prepare them?

When do you put them in the dirt, at what altitude are you growing?

How do you deal with deer and other critters that like edibles?

copobo Reviewed by copobo on 02-07-2010. growing outdoors in Colorado I feel like it's almost time to start planning (and sprouting or cloning!) I've never done any outdoor growing in CO. When I was young, grew on the east coast with good results. Water wasn't as much of an issue there as I'm sure it is here. I'd like to try this year and am hoping some experienced outdoors growers can offer some advice. It would be cool to coop some land and not be gorilla. A few beginner questions- Rating: 5

[lampost]

Good post.

I've been thinking about this too. I'm probably most concerned about rippers though unfortunately.

[boaz]

yes, great thread, hope you get some input. anyone know what the med laws are for cultivation in CO? i would love to be able to legally grow outdoors. :greenthumb: and CO is much closer than CA to me.

[lampost]

You can grow 6 plants, of which only 3 can be flowering.... so this would by default only allow you to legally grow 3 plants outdoors I'm assuming since you can't control flower time.

I think you'd get some kill results up in the mountains with the light intensity up there. In fact, I've heard there's some areas up in the mountains where they grow giant watermelons, tomatos, etc... with almost abnormal results.

[Dietblonde]

Go with Clones.

chicken wire fencing should work.

I'm hoping to grow outdoors for the first time this year, also.

[cronicmonster]

As far as rippers go ...that has alot to do with luck and location.Some growers are blessed with better locations than others.If you are in the country that helps for sure,Trees on site help also.One has to concider the water source....Do you have a tap or spring or maybe a well with water quality that is aceptable for herb growth.Otherwise you will have to haul and in this dry area it takes lots of water.The size of plant you are trying to achieve needs to be thought out.Big holes or pots take lots of soil and water...On the other hand they produce the largest plants.If at all possible the plants should be out of sight or kept smaller.At harvest everyone is looking for an easy patch to hit.
The fencing needs to be a big concern! We have bears,elk,deer,wayward cows and horses.Make sure your fencing is sustantial enough to make your prize garden secure.I realize cost is always an issue so shop around for a good deal on supplies.
Watch for frost/freeze early on and if possible install a screen to prevent hail damage.We have a bud mold problem so watch for moths and hand pick the worms off. Choose a variety that will finish early ...Preferably October 1st as our weather gets bad quick here. (rain/snow/cold)
I strongly suggest you raise your own seedlings as most clones purchased are infected w/mites.Not sayin ALL but most.If you start now the plants will be about 6 foot in the spring.If you can handle plants of that size great.You can also prune to keep smaller(shorter)If you want clone ,start now with plenty of plants to choose the best "mothers" for them. Dont "OVERLOVE"them(a common beginner mistake)Keep a close eye on the ph (water/soil) Make sure the soil drains well Perlite helps with this.I cant stress enough the drainage issue.You dont want "root rot" Good Luck!!!! Peace.....Oldschool

[denverbear]

As far as rippers go ...that has alot to do with luck and location.Some growers are blessed with better locations than others.If you are in the country that helps for sure,Trees on site help also.One has to concider the water source....Do you have a tap or spring or maybe a well with water quality that is aceptable for herb growth.Otherwise you will have to haul and in this dry area it takes lots of water.The size of plant you are trying to achieve needs to be thought out.Big holes or pots take lots of soil and water...On the other hand they produce the largest plants.If at all possible the plants should be out of sight or kept smaller.At harvest everyone is looking for an easy patch to hit.
The fencing needs to be a big concern! We have bears,elk,deer,wayward cows and horses.Make sure your fencing is sustantial enough to make your prize garden secure.I realize cost is always an issue so shop around for a good deal on supplies.
Watch for frost/freeze early on and if possible install a screen to prevent hail damage.We have a bud mold problem so watch for moths and hand pick the worms off. Choose a variety that will finish early ...Preferably October 1st as our weather gets bad quick here. (rain/snow/cold)
I strongly suggest you raise your own seedlings as most clones purchased are infected w/mites.Not sayin ALL but most.If you start now the plants will be about 6 foot in the spring.If you can handle plants of that size great.You can also prune to keep smaller(shorter)If you want clone ,start now with plenty of plants to choose the best "mothers" for them. Dont "OVERLOVE"them(a common beginner mistake)Keep a close eye on the ph (water/soil) Make sure the soil drains well Perlite helps with this.I cant stress enough the drainage issue.You dont want "root rot" Good Luck!!!! Peace.....Oldschool

so if we wanted to grow in our backyard gardens what would be the recomandation to get the most out of our plants?..spacing etc.. to water/nutriants etc.

[lampost]

As far as rippers go ...that has alot to do with luck and location.Some growers are blessed with better locations than others.If you are in the country that helps for sure,Trees on site help also.One has to concider the water source....Do you have a tap or spring or maybe a well with water quality that is aceptable for herb growth.Otherwise you will have to haul and in this dry area it takes lots of water.The size of plant you are trying to achieve needs to be thought out.Big holes or pots take lots of soil and water...On the other hand they produce the largest plants.If at all possible the plants should be out of sight or kept smaller.At harvest everyone is looking for an easy patch to hit.
The fencing needs to be a big concern! We have bears,elk,deer,wayward cows and horses.Make sure your fencing is sustantial enough to make your prize garden secure.I realize cost is always an issue so shop around for a good deal on supplies.
Watch for frost/freeze early on and if possible install a screen to prevent hail damage.We have a bud mold problem so watch for moths and hand pick the worms off. Choose a variety that will finish early ...Preferably October 1st as our weather gets bad quick here. (rain/snow/cold)
I strongly suggest you raise your own seedlings as most clones purchased are infected w/mites.Not sayin ALL but most.If you start now the plants will be about 6 foot in the spring.If you can handle plants of that size great.You can also prune to keep smaller(shorter)If you want clone ,start now with plenty of plants to choose the best "mothers" for them. Dont "OVERLOVE"them(a common beginner mistake)Keep a close eye on the ph (water/soil) Make sure the soil drains well Perlite helps with this.I cant stress enough the drainage issue.You dont want "root rot" Good Luck!!!! Peace.....Oldschool

Nice info! I wish I lived out in the country because it would be so easy then. I grew up in the country with no shortage of places to grow, but it's hard if you're in Denver.

I have some decent location ideas based on the tactics of some old-school guerilla growers I know...

Here's what I'd suggest for others scouting for locations in the city:

Google Earth
USGS Topo Maps, &
USGS Soil Surveys (Web Soil Survey) This could be helpful if you're using natural soil. Will tell you type (sand/clay/silt/loam), grades, and drainage characteristics.

I was thinking with this combo you might be able to narrow down a few spots without leaving your crib!

[Steelwool]

I've been growing out doors for the past five years right in on the outskirts of downtown Denver - It helps to have a 10 ft. privacy fence but the foxes and cats & small critters still seem to get at it when the plants are small. Chicken wire around the base works fine. Go with clones for sure. With seeds it's luck of the draw on females and with the plant limit you might get screwed. I usually start them in small pots in June and put them in a south facing, part shade (during the hot part of the day btwn 1 - 3pm) garden to get them use to the outdoors. You want to keep them in pots unless you can quickly cover them in case it hails. I use those Home Depot 5 gal buckets and sunshine #4 medium. HAIL and EARLY FROST are the crop killers!!! If you are growing a late harvest strain you'll need to be able to bring them in at night if you haven't harvested by Oct. 1st. Never had problems with bugs. You'll need to water every other day and fert once a week toward the end of the summer when it's hot. I would go with a pure indica for a short, fat, early bloomer! I've had great luck with White Widow and Early Pearl.
Good luck!

[boaz]

^ great info, everyone!!! thank you. :greenthumb: :smokin: