Hi there. I empathize with you big time. There is quite a bit to growing cannabis but it can be broken down and simplified. My first recommendation is to get Bergman’s guide. It’s a very readable, interesting PDF that is free. It will serve as an excellent primer. You can read the whole thing in a matter of minutes, but you’ll want to re-read it as you go. There are other good sites as well that will help make sense out of everything.
This is my recommendation: Use autoflower seeds because they will veg and flower the fastest. I also recommend using the simplest germination method as well. Either soak your seeds first (look up ways to do this), wait for a little tap root and then plant in your final pot of soil. Or do what I did which was simply plant an unsoaked seed directly in moist (but not muddy soil). I used a 5-gallon pot with plenty of holes on the bottom for drainage.
SOIL: I use Happy Frog from Fox Farms. It’s not a ‘hot’ soil (ie. not a ton of nutrients) but it can be planted directly into, and you don’t have to feed for the first few weeks. Others like stuff from Roots Organic. There are lots of good soils.
WATER: You can use tap water so long as you let it sit out long enough to get rid of the chlorine (if its municipal). If you have a well like I do it’s probably fine. Just make sure you adjust its pH to make sure it falls within a range between 6 and 7. There are plenty of people on here who can tell you about how to do that. But basically they sell this stuff called ‘PH UP’ and 'PH Down" and it comes with a test tube and a testing liquid. You put your plant water in the test tube, drip some of the test solution into it and it’ll turn color. The color will give you an idea of how acidic or basic the plant water is. It’s not perfect but you’re looking for a range. It’s also your first grow ever so I wouldn’t get too hung up on this aspect. The fact you’re using soil will actually help mitigate pH swings somewhat.
Nutrients: after the first couple weeks you’ll want to start feeding with every other watering. There are many fine liquid nutrients on the market. I use Fox Farms Trio (big bloom, grow big and Tiger Bloom) and Botanicare cal-mag. There is a feeding schedule for these nutes right on Fox Farm’s website. Cut their recommendations in half and you should be perfect.
Did I mention to read Bergman’s guide?
LIGHTS: Everyone is going to give you different answers for what lights to use. I use a pair of $109 LED’s from Yehsence that can be found on amazon. They’re not bad, especially for inexpensive lights. The two lights combined draw about 360w from the wall and are very bright. They include red, blue, white and IR and UV LED’s. I’ve had excellent results so far. Others are going to strongly argue for other lighting solutions and they make excellent arguments. I use this lighting solution because it was $218 and it uses relatively little power. My plant has grown beautifully so far. Please pick the brain of other people on the site though. I am, after all, a novice.
VENTILATION: make sure to throw a few fans in your tent to circulate the air. Also, it’s a good idea to exhaust the air out the top with a fan and a charcoal filter. Cannabis can be a bit smelly (some strains are VERY smelly. Other’s like Northern Lights isn’t too bad at all.
There is a lot to write about growing cannabis, but hopefully this gives you an idea. I hope experienced members jump in here to correct me and augment what I wrote. Good luck.
