Outdoor Tips for growing outside

[shimmz22]

Hey all, im currently getting ready for summer so i can start an outdoor grow. I have grown indoor a few times and am getting pretty good at it. I Live in the new england area of the united states. I am wondering when the best time(date) to start autoflowers are. Can you start them outside after germinating them? Is there somewhere that has good tips for growing autos outside? I am using bontanicare pure blend pro now for my plants indoors. Is there special fertilizer for outdoors? +REPS to anyone who can help me. thanks

 

[Mr Piggy]

This place has a lot of great tips specifically for outdoor autos. If you read through it, especially the stickies, you'll get awesome info.
https://www.autoflower.org/forum1/forum6/

Good Luck

 

[Muddy]

I would suggest you start them indoors and then transplant outdoors when they have 5-6 sets of true leaves. Are you planting in the ground or in pots? If in the ground, wait until after your last frost date to transplant them. If in pots you can get them out a little earlier, just make sure to bring them in at night if the temperatures take a dive. Given that you will experience periods of rainy weather it's difficult to maintain a regular feeding schedule outdoors. For my outdoor plants I prefer a soil mix that contains some worm castings or composted manure. The plants can feed off it during those times when you can't feed.

You can check your frost date here: http://www.victoryseeds.com/frost/home.asp

 

[tommy1984]

I'll tell ya what I did, dont know if its right or not but indoor is off limits for me. I germed my seeds in a cup of water with a few drops of superthrive and once the tap roots were exposed I put them in cups of soil and out side they went. Besides losing one because I took off to florida for 10 days and couldnt water, there all doing great in full stringent sun light from seed. I guess if they break surface out doors then there more resilient then if you grow them for a week indoors then through them out side.

 

[Mr Piggy]

I have to disagree with that tommy. When sprouted and given a head start inside under lights and slowly brought outside more every day to harden them off autos will display more resiliency. That head start with warm temps and lots of light exposure gives them can me crucial depending on what environment you live in. This also allows them to get some girth on them they can't just be bit in half by a slug....trust me on that one.

 

[ACV]

Dates outside that matter are the frost dates. Plant after the last frost date, and count backwards from last frost date for last planting time to make sure they finish. If you have dry or wet seasons planning around them will help.

Seeds sprouted outside adjust to the sun so there isnt that to deal with but the cozy conditions inside help with developing seedlings. Not only do they grow on top they grow a lot sub soil. I havent seen scientific proof of it but the less stress the plant is exposed to the higher the female/male ratio is supposed to be. The sun is more intense and there is basically unrestricted root growth but life outside is hard.

 

[tommy1984]

I have to disagree with that tommy. When sprouted and given a head start inside under lights and slowly brought outside more every day to harden them off autos will display more resiliency. That head start with warm temps and lots of light exposure gives them can me crucial depending on what environment you live in. This also allows them to get some girth on them they can't just be bit in half by a slug....trust me on that one.

Oh, I agree with you 100%, I know I dont have half the knowledge as some of you. What i was trying to say was... If vegging indoors for a few weeks is not an option, then ist probably better to let the plant break ground out side then let it sit on your kitchen table for a week and then sticking it out in full sun light.

 

[maffro]

Good luck with this grow whatever method you use !
You could try using a 2 or 3 litre plastic drinks bottle as a mini propogator and put them straight in the ground and cover them ? or just bring them in at night ?

 

[hejdaman]

I have been thinking of digging a hole and putting in and growing in garbagebags. But i have started to think that maybe it should grow right in the ground. I am thinking of this becouse of the roots can get more space and aren´t trapped in the soil i put in if she wants to grow some more. And it looks a whole lot better without a bag i think. And if i grow near pines and stuff, where the soil around is very acidic, it could be very good with growing in a bag maybe.

What do you guys think i should do?

 

[maffro]

Unless you live in a fertile area use a good comercial compost to fill in your holes - alternatively you can just get a adequate size grow bag and put them straight in that then cover the bag with rock n logs. Stab the bottom of the bag first for drainage