So. Calif. now legal. But this year we need to grow our own.

[spectator45]

Hello!
There was a huge victory in that November 2016 election for California because we legalized recreational cannabis! Forget about those sleazy politicians and rejoice!

In it's infinite wisdom, though, no licenses will be issued to retailers until 2018 at the earliest.
So my great state pretty much says that I need to wait or at least try to grow it myself. All I am hoping for is some success. Outdoors, probably in pots seems most feasible. I need to accomplish the basics first.
My guess is to start off the seedlings in the spring and move them outside. It gets hot and it's dry. But we do have lots of sunshine.
I believe we're limited to like 6 plants. So far I know to start off seeds at least double until the males can be culled and then put all my efforts into babying the females.
Any advice on how a novice can grow just a few plants that I can hopefully harvest? I'd love to just buy some delicious top shelf. But my state says I have to figure out how to grow for at least 2017.
Who knows? It might be a fun hobby!

TIA!

 

[Morriston55]

Feminized seeds are a no brainer when you are limited like that

 

[NanoGadget]

Feminized seeds are a no brainer when you are limited like that

I second this. I'd also recommend getting some quality soil. Nothing worse than buying some tasty genetics and throwing it some shitty potting soil with bad drainage and time released ferts to die a slow death

 

[Rundskop]

There's nothing quite like growing your own! As mentioned by others - fem seeds are a great way to get started.

Soil is a great medium to use for someone just getting into growing, which is what I did. Be aware of the nutrient content as you can "burn" the plants with too "hot" of a soil. There are good ones for seedling; Light Warrior comes to mind.

You may consider going with Coco, even as a first grow. It's light and easy to move/work with compared to soil which is heavier since it has already been amended with nutrients. There's coco specific nutrients (organic available I believe) that would provide a relatively "safe" feeding regiment.

Outdoor plants will get quite big depending on genetics and other factors, so keep in mind how you'll be watering and monitoring pH and ppm, in soil or coco.