Oregon Growers?!

Hey I'm pretty new to growing, so I thought I'd get a sense of the best way to grow in the climate I'm in. I'm going to grow outdoors, in the forest, and I was wondering what grow medium I should use. I tried to grow in soil last year, but failed before the plants even got more than 2 inches tall. I need serious help on starting them out. I was thinking hydroponics to start it off, and then moving it to a hempy bucket outside, so the rainy weather would self water the plants, and the hempy bucket would drain it. This would reduce my visits.
Any thoughts?
any help is awesome.

Also, any ideas on good strains for the area? I live right outside of Portland.