Grower's bible?

Hello to my fellow smokers and growers,

Im 5 minutes new here. I did a little browsing and didn't see any books that were recommended. Im sure there's a thread for it but Ill use the excuse, "Im a noob."
Im seriously considering growing some bud. Im in Alabama where turning on your heater and air conditioner in the same day isn't unusual. There's a bit of a scare going on here and finding some decent bud is becoming harder to find. I've come to the conclusion that I'm better off growing my own, indoors. I'm pretty excited.
I have an empty attic with some moolah to invest in some equipment. Am I an idiot for considering my attic? I know closets are a popular way to go but I have children so I need to be super careful. My attic door is located on my kitchen roof, one of those with a string dangling to pull down, none of the children could possibly reach it (even with a chair). There are two windows, my husband says I can do whatever and I think he's definately wanting to do some construction to help me out.
Besides my brother, who thinks everything is a great idea, I don't have anyone else I could talk to regarding the proper care, materials, and everything else pertaining to growing some decent bud.
My precious kids are going to their fathers for a week during their spring break in april. Ill have a whole week to set up. I plan on tending to my garden during the night hours after they've gone to sleep.
I guess I have two questions:
#1. Anyone have any recommendations for a "bible" or handbooks for a grower? A book that covers everything for a noob?
Id like to spend the next few weeks reading anything that fellow growers could recommend.
#2. Is the attic a stupid idea? I am careful to use the utmost... oh whats the word... I dont know what the word is but I need to be very discrete. I am. I've brainstormed and my attic is the best place Ive come up with to grow my future bud. Any advice?

I appreciate any input. Also, Id like to point out that I know Im not the only parent here. Please, don't judge me. If you're to judge me on anything at all, let it be the bud I hopefully produce.

Much love and thanks.

Hello Well I havn't read any books to reccomend. But you have come to the right place, these forums are filled with all the information you could, or would ever need. Just browse the different sections and post questions when needed.

There is no problem with growing in your attic, or with your kids in the house. Just have to be smart and safe about it.

Do not let it get too hot. Marijuana only requires a temperature of 78 F So make sure if your temperatures get higher to ventilate it.

If you only plan on growing a little bud for you and your hubby, plan on just doing a couple small plants.

Depending on how much you smoke it could last you months..

If that still do'nt meet your needs you could always expand and grow more.

Or you could raise one mother plant and take clones off of her and start a perpetual harvest
to where you havest a little every couple of weeks.

Give us some Ideas on what you have to work with, how much your looking to get, how much you have to spend, and I'm sure somebody here can point you in the right direction.

SeeJay

Welcome to RIU! Glad you decide to join. Jeorge Cervantes- Marijuana Horticultural- The indoor/outdoor Medical Grower Bible is what I use for reference. Very good book with lots of info and pictures. List for 24.95. Ed Rosenthal has very good books too for aroud the same price. I got mine at Barnes And Noble but you can get them on line too. The attic can be a problem for you because of heat in the summer time. Max temp for growing pot is 85 degrees. I would imagine the attic gets a lot hotter. If you could insulate your area really well and tap in some AC it would work. Otherwise its best somewhere else. Good luck!

Thanks for the input guys! I appreciate it so much.

You are absolutely right with the attic getting pretty hot. Last summer I was moving some boxes up there and it wasn't long before I felt like passing out.

My attic is about 400 square feet with two windows on each side. I did some research on WalMarts website. Thought Id post this for anyone else who may be in the same planning phase.

Regarding air conditioners:
Air Conditioner BTU Guide
5,000-5,200 BTUs is suitable for 100-150 square foot rooms
6,000-8,000 BTUs is suitable for 151-350 square foot rooms
10,000-12,000 BTUs is suitable for 351-550 square foot rooms
15,000 BTUs is suitable for 551-700 square foot rooms
18,000 BTUs is suitable for 701-1,000 square foot rooms

I have my eye on a portable one, going for about $350. The way I see it, I pay about that much every 4 weeks or so for some mid-grade bud. If Im able to grow anything, it would have paid for itself in no time. I almost feel like its an all or nothing strategy. If I get the ac unit, ill have a good 300 sq. ft to work with. First and foremost, Id like to grow for my own personal use. Anything extra, I could sell for a profit in a heartbeat. Im fortunate enough to not have to work so time needing for tending is not a problem. Id like to keep my expenses for my start up at no more than 1k. I know its a lot for a newbie but if it allows me to bypass driving home with a stash in my car, paranoid dealers (cant blame them), and just flat out paying for it, its a worth-while investment.
The house I live in was built in a way where the sun sets and rises, OPPOSITE of where the two windows in the attic are. I assume Ill be buying some lighting equipment.
Regardless of the eqipment expenses, I think ideally it would be best to start with a couple plants to see how I handle it. How much can I expect to harvest off of one plant?
My husband owns a plot of land about 15 minutes from home. Its in the middle of nowhere with a few country folk neighbors on a dirt road. Its about 45 acres. The only problem is we've noticed some bullet shells all over the area. We assume some hunters have uninvitedly been using the land themselves. Its too big of an area to gate and Ill be damned of these freeloaders are the ones that turn me in. So sad, so much land to use... but no trust.

Im really excited that I've come across this site! With your generous input and advice, I hope Ill be able to post some pictures as well. Im heading over to Hawaii to visit my family in July, perhaps Ill run across a few seeds worth growing. I know Im looking too far ahead *daydream*