Twenty five years ago

[canetoad]

I crossed a thick and sleepy Afghan with a stringy but fragrant sativa and have bred them ever since. After all this time they are consistent with few throwbacks to the original breeders. Big, tough, grown for outdoors in an Aussie climate.

I've just finished bringing in this years crop. I keep about half, the rest goes to family and friends. I don't buy or sell. Every four or five years I plan to get a crop of seeds - this year is a seed year. Always grown outdoors, September to March/April in the southern hemisphere. Totally organic.

Here's a couple of noob tips:
Don't worry about 'strains'. It's mostly bullshit.
Collect seeds and plant a lot more than you think you'll need. Most won't make it to flowering.
Garden the soil, not the plants.

[Basic LA]

1. Bless you, from the heart.

Noble work.

[MiHale]

2. Beautiful ...

Breeding is fun work. When I was younger I grew outside all the time and crossed a few different strains. But legalization, feminized seeds, autoflowering plants changed the landscape of growing for some.

These days, especially being located in Michigan indoor tents are the norm. Using feminized autoflowering seeds I can turn over 3 crops per year. Like you we donate a good portion of harvests to others in need. No exchange of money. I have a germination rate in the 99% range. Local breeders, fresh seeds, guaranteed germination rates. Times are good in CannaLand.

Your advice on the soil is the best, that’s the hardest thing to get through peoples head when talking about any gardening. I love your phrasing “Garden the soil, not the plants.” I’m sharing that line among our local growers.

[canetoad]

3. I can't take credit for the saying

I first heard it years ago from a man called Peter Cundall who hosted 'Gardening Australia' for many years with a glorious Yorkshire accent. He has a pretty interesting history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Cundall

I saw him speak once in person at a gardening show; my friends and I were like groupies for an old, compost stained gardener!

Never forget the power of a bag of dolomite lime!