the bucket idea sounds dumb. However how late or early you start depnds on were you live. I'm from cincinnati and I have friends how grow outdoors all year except for late fall and winter. if you've got the right chemicals you get the plant to anytime during the year even without the 12/12 light cycle. oh and dont grow in the middle of a field go into the woods or somthing and use pots. if you cant water every day get mulch to put over the potting soil so as to retain water.