.
Thanks for your question, @ModestMoose67
For this first grow in a tent, I’m gonna do just one plant.
I’ll consider the grow a success if I’m able to coax her into flowering. I’ve grown before (back in the 1970s), but my ditchweed never made it to the flowering stage.
Clay
@OUTinMN
Just sharing the good vibes, my man.
One is a solid amount. You can easily fill a 3x3 with one if proper LST and such. I got a little crazy and wanted to try and get as many as possible. Planted 4 and one didn’t make it. But I really wish I woulda stuck to one to really focus. I kinda treat my three ladies like they’re one (2 Durban Poison and 1 Girl Scout Cookie Extreme). It would be nice to just have one to really focus on and make great. Plus I woulda saved a ton on nutrients hahahaha.
You’re asking all the right questions and doing solid research so you’ll do fantastic!!! Really looking forward to seeing what us Minnesotans can grow!!!
Youre going to get way past flowering this time. I cant wait to see your success!
3x3. 1 plant. 20gallon pot. Fim and lst. Photoperiod Looong veg. Fill tent wall to wall. 2lbs dry easy.
I personally think that is a great way to start.
Photoperiod for stability and ease. Will allow a few mistakes. Auto WILL NOT. Plenty of time to play with it. Big first harvest. Last you through next 1.
This journal is about preparations I’m making for my first grow… and I’m starting from zero.
The last time I gave an update, it was to say orders had been placed for:
Packages arrived today:
. . Arrived:
. . Missing:
(note to self: Follow-up with Spider Farmer if the light fails to arrive by Tues Jan 9th)
Coming Up:
Damn! I’m eager to buy my first seeds !! Love that it’s legal here in Minnesota 
But I’m not buying anything more until all the grow tent parts are here.
Where my light?!
For the next journal update: I’ll either confirm the light arrived or else I’ll be telling about customer service with Spider Farmer.
It made me glad I was following @Bulldognuts journal when his grow light crapped out right at the start of the year. When he posted about the good customer service he got from HLG, it made me wonder about customer support with Spider Farmer. But who knows? Maybe the light will show up before Jan 9th - my follow-up date.
I’m tagging you too, @Thumper , because I think you’ve been successful working with HLG. Is that right?
Prep Now Underway after starting from zero:
This is the area I plan to set up my grow tent:
I feel your excitement. Im happy for you. Christmas all over again. Cant wait to see it all set up. Keep it up future growmie!!!
Super pumped for you growmie!!! Half the fun is getting it all set up!!! Can’t wait to see it when you get it all together!!!
I’m happy to see that you have made a plan. Many myself included stumbled into growing, without one. Money wasted and time wasted. There’s a lot people using Spyder Farmer lights, but personally don’t recall anyone having specific issues with them. Hopefully you will receive everything soon. Probably don’t need to say it, but you can learn everything you need to learn on ILGM. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or to ask for help. I wish I had sooner than I did.
Really like how you got everything planned out and researched b4 junping into it. Something i probably should have done more of. I just am the type if i put it off too long itll never happen 
I use spider farmer set up as well. Pretty impressed with the quality for the price. Gona fallow along to see how everything pans out for ya. Happy growin 
Woot woot! Hard to make things happen w/o a plan! Looking good You came to the right place to bust that 
enjoy! but be careful WEED = Will Empty Every Pocket 
It’s official… I’m a derp newbie who doesn’t know what’s what yet.
The grow light that I said didn’t arrive today? It did. The light was in the box but I didn’t recognize it because it’s unassembled. Fortunately, I don’t mind putting it together - kinda looking forward to it!
I’m glad to have been wrong about the grow light being missing. I’m glad because now I can finally order seeds… my first order! And after ordering seeds, I can start assembling the tent, grow light, and venting. I can connect and test the controller.
Packages arrived today:
. . Missing:
nothing - and I’m officially a derp newbie
Clay
be glad u didnt. the kits seem like they are a good deal, but if ur looking for a high quality, nicely fitted light to use, the one they put in the kits are always much too small. its better to buy everything separately with ac infinity in my personal experience and opinion.
i must say, you have a very impressive list to get started. i started with a 45w single bulb light in a little 1x3 closet space lol which did not go too well starting out. very wise decision to be fully prepared and have all the knowledge and equipment before starting lol
if u ever need seeds, i got a pretty fat list of different strains that ive been stocking up this last year. i wouldn’t mind throwing u a couple, or trading for any strains i dont have yet. i definitely like to expand the variety as much as possible.
the variety does make it difficult to stop dropping seeds once i start, than ending up with more plants than originally anticipated.
im pretty stoked to see the results you produce!
i hope whatever ur missing, if anything, shows up asap cuz I’ll be watching this for sure! 
Nice @OUTinMN using Spiderfarmer 3x3 kit my self, is a fun time getting everything assembled and working, adjusted and working/set properly awaiting for seedlings to go in and do their thing, waiting to see if last 2 will pop up out of the 6 planted.
Luck and enjoy 
Will be watching
This journal is about preparations I’m making for my first grow… and I’m starting from zero.
When I re-read this journal in the future, it’ll give me a laugh.
Today, the new grow tent, vent fan & grow light all got set-up. Adjustments are still needed. I’m happy, tho.
. . Hardest part: Figuring out how to program the Spider Farmer smart controller.
. . Easiest part: Assembling the tent
. . Worst moment: Realizing that the Spider Farmer smart controller controls ONLY the vent fan. I’m gonna have to buy a separate controller for the grow light 
. . Best moment: After everything was set-up and working, I finally got to order seeds!
Careful 
the seed thing can become addictive as this place!
Oh! Thats wonderful growmie. You’re on your way… won’t be long now. Exciting times!!!
I went with AC Infinity 75 controller for lights, and heater, did find out any thing you hook to them make sure they are a manual controlled, digital does not work cause when digital controlled aplliances shut off they have to be powered back on at the power button on appliance. I chose the AC Infinity cause of the Bluetooth my tent is in basement and can check it from up stairs. Lookin good have fun
Thanks, Bentstick!
I don’t know if other newbies will read this journal and learn. If they do, I hope they’ll learn before buying!
Instead of popping another $100 for a second controller, I spent $30 on a smart plug that will lets me automate when grow lights switch on/off.
Again, thanks!
Clay
This journal tells about steps that prepare me for my first grow. Today I’m telling about my first seed order.
. . . Jan 08: Payment Accepted by ILGM. I’ve paid for my tiny first order… 5 seeds
. . . Jan 08: ILGM contacted me by Email (twice!) to confirm my order. Both notes say the same thing. They give an order number and a tracking number that can be used to check progress of the shipment.
. . . Jan 10: Out of curiosity, I used the tracking number from ILGM to check progress of the shipment. It looks like seeds will arrive Saturday (1/13). The below-zero weather predicted for the 13th makes me a little apprehensive. My mailbox is inside a heated lobby. But it’s outside my control how USPS will handle packages during a Minnesota cold snap - temperatures below zero
My target date for dropping seed into water? Still on-target to happen Feb 21st! When that happens, I’ll close out this “Preparations” journal and finally start a GROW journal! 
PRE-PLANTING TESTING is on my mind
Before dropping that first seed into water, I need to be sure my water (oxygenated tap water) is gonna make my girl happy. To do that, I gotta test pH. I’d be fine using litmus paper to test the water here. But if an inexpensive “high accuracy” pen tester makes the job easier, I’m in!
Also before dropping the first seed, I need to be sure my grow medium (soil) will make my new plant happy. To do that, I gotta do a pre-planting slurry test. That means I need to order testing devices PDQ! The tool I’ve decided to buy for measuring {EC / dissolved solids} is the Com-80 by HM Digital. Not the cheapest. But it won’t break the bank.
. . . @Storm , based on notes you posted here about using 10 gallon or 20 gallon grow pots, I’ve made an adjustment. Thanks to you, my first-grow will be in a 10 gallon rather than in a 5 gallon pot.
One-gallon sized grow sacks arrived today. That means I’m prepared for when my seedling outgrows its red cup.
I’m still feeling excited about this!
Clay
