Outdoor auto plants in IL

I wanted to do a small grow this year. I did one last year and my "small" plant turned out huge. I got almost al lb of dried bud, which is good, but my plant that was supposed to be 3ft got over 6ft tall. Fortunately my tomato plants were just as big. I think it was the fertilizer that I was using. Anyway, I want a small plant, 3'ft or under that will produce quick potent large buds. I've been looking into auto's but am skeptical. Has anyone grown outdoors with autos? If so what would you recommend? How big did they get? Was it quality bud? Thanks