Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible

more than 50 ppm. Sodium is more of a problem when growing in containers than when growing in well-drained soil.
    See Chapter Eleven for more information on sodium and water quality.
    Local farmers or the Department of Agriculture have information about water solids in your area, and many areas have low-cost, state-certified labs that can test your water for you.
    Often, if the sodium content is below 300 ppm, a good flushing every month will keep sodium and other salts from building up to toxic levels.

Drip irrigation is a very efficient way to irrigate.

Water small plants by hand until they are established.
    There are several easy, inexpensive options to improve water quality.
    Irrigate seedlings, clones, and mother plants with rainwater (or 50 percent rainwater with tap water) to dilute dissolved solids.
    Flush container gardens with three quarts (3 L) of water for each dry quart (liter) of soil.
    Water once with tap water and always afterwards with tap water augmented with ammonium sulfate.
    Clean tap water by filling barrels and setting 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) off the ground. Add ammonium sulfate to settle out the sodium, then siphon water from the top of the barrel, refilling after each watering to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Chlorine, like sodium, is beneficial in small amounts. It is essential to the use of oxygen during photosynthesis and is necessary for root and leaf cell division. But too much chlorine causes leaf tips and margins to burn and leaves to turn a bronze color.
    Empty the barrel periodically, and scrub out residues and sediments. Clean rainwater is an excellent choice for irrigation. Collect runoff by placing a barrel under a downspout. Mix the rainwater with barrels of tap water to dilute the dissolved solids. Roofs and terraces can accumulate trash, which will pollute the otherwise clean rainwater. Covering your catch-barrel will prevent evaporation and keep out trash.

Make a reservoir by digging a hole and lining it with heavy-duty plastic. Always cover it to limit evaporation and animal access.

Siphon water you haul in to a receptacle located downhill. Always plan trips carefully and avoid problems.
    Sodium, calcium, and magnesium can be harmful in the soil, too. Excess calcium, for example, keeps the pH level too high and blocks uptake of several nutrients including iron and potassium. Fertilizer with chelated iron will counteract this problem. Too much magnesium creates rapid uptake of trace elements but does not usually cause a problem.

Planting inside a patch of blackberries or other sticker bushes will deter many curious hikers and other animals.

The High Lifter is remarkably efficient and one of the best options for guerilla growers.

Below: A ram pump is one of the original low-tech methods to lift water with the force of gravity.

Right: Drill powered pump that uses a rechargeable battery. Attach a pump to the end of the drill. Remove cord and make battery powered.

Above: The Grobot is an outstanding invention! This battery-powered pump delivers water to three plants quietly and efficiently.
    The fertilizer comes in liquid or wettable crystal form and can also be used in soil to alleviate problems caused by bad water. Several commercial hydroponic fertilizer formulations for “hard water” are available and work very well.
    Check the garden daily, if possible, and water when soil is dry one inch (3 cm) below the surface. Irrigate containers until 10-20 percent of the water comes through the drainage holes. Irrigate plants in the ground until they are completely wet.
    Many different types of receptacles and reservoirs can store irrigation water. Use the biggest storage unit that you can manage; you will always need water. One good option for storing a lot of water is to dig a nice big hole and line it with a pond liner. For all kinds of water storage devices, see www.realgoods.com .
Pumps
    Pumps move water long distances and uphill. Pumps can be operated by hand, batteries, gasoline, gravity, and with pressure from moving water.
    Gasoline-powered pumps are reliable and can lift much water uphill quickly, but they are noisy. You can purchase a pump already attached to the motor or connect them yourself and mount them on a board. Check your local Yellow Pages for a good supplier.
    Noise is a major factor in starting up a small gasoline-powered engine in the middle of a quiet mountainous area. An oversized muffler and small baffle will deaden most of the exhaust sound.
    Set