Guerilla Growing: Successful growing in secret

What is guerrilla growing?

Guerrilla growing is a special cultivation method in which plants are secretly grown in remote locations in the wild. This technique is often used for cannabis, but it can also be applied to other plants. The basic idea is to keep the cultivation undetected by placing the plants in places that are difficult to access and hidden by dense bushes or trees. This allows you to run your own little gardening project without anyone noticing - perfect for anyone who doesn't have their own garden or wants to remain discreet.

Why guerrilla growing?

Guerrilla growing has some compelling advantages that make it so exciting, especially for discreet hobby gardeners. The most important point is anonymity. As you grow your plants away from your own property, your project usually remains undiscovered - no one connects you directly to the growing location. Another plus point is the space saving. If you don't have a garden or balcony available, you can still grow your plants by simply looking for a suitable spot in nature. It's also incredibly cost-efficient. As you use the power of the sun and the natural environment, you don't need expensive equipment such as lamps, tents or ventilation systems, which would be necessary for indoor cultivation. This means you can still grow successfully with little financial outlay and space requirement - and all of this inconspicuously!

The right location - where it grows best

The location is the be-all and end-all of guerrilla growing - it determines whether your project is successful or is quickly discovered. Above all, a good spot should be remote. The harder the location is to reach, the less chance there is of accidental walkers or curious eyes discovering your plants. A dense forest, inaccessible terrain or an overgrown park can be good options. But remoteness alone is not enough: your plants need sufficient sunlight. Make sure that the location receives at least five to six hours of sunlight per day. A semi-shaded spot may work, but for most plants, direct sunlight is crucial for optimal growth.

Water supply is another important factor. If you plant near a natural watercourse, such as a stream or pond, you will save yourself a lot of watering. The plants can then take care of themselves and you don't have to constantly bring in water - this would not only be costly, but would also increase the risk of someone noticing your activities.

Last but not least, the spot should be inconspicuous and blend harmoniously into the surroundings. Tall bushes, grasses or trees provide ideal privacy. If possible, the plants should not be visible from a distance and should blend in with the surroundings. This way, your little secret garden really will remain a secret.

The right plant - what is suitable for guerrilla growing?

In guerrilla growing, the right plant varieties play a key role in remaining successful and undetected. Autoflowering varieties are particularly suitable for cannabis, as they flower independently of light cycles and are ready for harvest more quickly. An example of this is White Widow Auto, which is robust against weather conditions and requires little care.

Classic outdoor varieties such as Durban Poison or Hollands Hope are also ideal, as they have been specially developed for harsher climates. These plants are resistant to pests and can also thrive in cooler temperatures. Varieties such as Guerrilla's Gusto have even been bred specifically for guerrilla growing, with a focus on high yields and low maintenance requirements.

There are also landraces, which are natural strains that have adapted to extreme environments over centuries. Examples of this would be Afghan Kush for drier, hot regions or Hindu Kush, which grows robustly in the mountains. These varieties are particularly resilient and require little additional care, as they are already naturally adapted to demanding conditions.

With these strains, you have a good selection of plants that are perfect for guerrilla growing: inconspicuous, easy to care for and ready to thrive even in difficult environments.

Care and harvest - less is more

With guerrilla growing, the motto is: less is more. As you can't visit your plants regularly, they need to be as low-maintenance as possible and largely self-sufficient. This means that you should choose plants that thrive with minimal attention and do not require constant care.

Watering

The most important aspect of care is the water supply. Ideally, you should choose a location near a stream or river so that the plants naturally get enough water. If this is not possible, you can maintain the moisture in the soil with mulch, which reduces evaporation. Alternatively, self-watering systems such as water reservoirs or buried bottles that slowly release water can also help.

Fertilization

As you will rarely be on site, organic slow-release fertilizer is the best choice. This is released slowly and provides the plants with nutrients over several weeks. Fertilizing when planting is often enough to cover the entire growing period. Another advantage: organic fertilizers are inconspicuous and leave no traces that could attract the attention of curious people to your plants.

Harvest time

Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting. The best time is either early in the morning or late in the evening when there are fewer people around. You should check on your plants regularly, but inconspicuously, so as not to miss the optimum harvest time. Once the flowers are ripe, it's important to harvest the plants as quickly as possible to protect them from the elements or potential explorers. Make sure you can harvest in stages if not all the plants are ripe at the same time.

In summary: keep your visits to a minimum, make sure you have a natural water supply and use slow-release fertilizer to keep maintenance to a minimum. This will keep your guerrilla growing project discreet yet successful!

Risks of guerrilla growing

There are a few risks involved in guerrilla growing that you need to keep an eye on in order to carry out your project successfully and undetected. Here are the three biggest challenges:

Discovery

The biggest risk is, of course, the discovery of your plants. No matter how remote and well-hidden the location is, there is always the possibility that hikers, hunters or others will accidentally stumble upon your plants. To avoid this, choose a spot that is difficult to access and not often visited. Also be careful not to leave any visible trails or tracks that could point to your plants. Your aim is to draw as little attention to yourself and your location as possible.

Animals

Animals are another risk. In the wild, there are many animal species such as deer, rabbits or rodents that like to nibble on young plants. To protect your plants, you can take simple measures such as putting up a small wire fence or using natural repellents such as pungent odors or sprays. Mulch or dried leaves around the plants can also deter animals from eating the fresh shoots.

Weather conditions

The weather is an uncontrollable factor in guerrilla growing. Rain, storms, drought or extreme temperatures can severely affect your plants. You can't optimize the conditions like you can with indoor growing, so it's important to choose robust and resilient plants that can cope well with temperature fluctuations and rain. You should also choose a location that offers protection from strong winds but still gets enough sunlight.