New to growing

I live in MN- first off.
I will be starting to grow outside.
I have some questions. Yes, I have read many a post before posting this, but I am not sure I have found what I am looking for.
Here goes and I do apologize if this has already been asked (I may have missed it).

1. CAN you use any old seeds? Or MUST you purchase seeds?

2. What does the plant look like when it begins to grow?

3. How do I know if it will be sucessful in producing the potentcy I am seeking?

4. What is the typical time to begin planting?

5. How long until I can actually smoke the stuff- start to finish?

I will continue looking through these threads to find more answers. But any basic start up- MN outdoor growing help would be perfect.

I do live on a lake. I am up the hill, but the lake is about 15 feet from the location where I will be growing. Would root rot be a concern for this?

Thank you!

Man, if you will visit GROWFAQ, at the top of this page, all those questions have answers.

1. CAN you use any old seeds? Or MUST you purchase seeds?

Click to expand...

Any cannabis seed with grow cannabis... I'd hope. Seeds you buy on the internet depending on which can be for a strain of specific characteristics and qualities you want.

2. What does the plant look like when it begins to grow?

Click to expand...

This is one of my plants, 6 days old since it broke soil.

3. How do I know if it will be sucessful in producing the potentcy I am seeking?

Click to expand...

If you choose to grow bagseed, which is just seed you got out of a bag of bud you had, then you know you're growing what you smoked (or you're growing a mix breed if the male/female weren't the same strain).
But if you choose to buy your seeds on the internet you can pick a strain that is best suited for your growing environment, thc potency, sativa/indica, etc.

4. What is the typical time to begin planting?

Click to expand...

Outside for optimal vegetation time you should plant after frost is over, we're a month or so past this depending on the climate where you live. For growing outdoors depending on strain you can plant anytime between march-july? Don't hold me to those exact months.

5. How long until I can actually smoke the stuff- start to finish?

Click to expand...

Well, Since you're growing outside you will have to wait until september-november.. which too varies by strain. Most strains on the internet tell you whether they are best suited for outdoor or indoor. When you choose an outdoor seed it will tell you when it flowers.. If you grow indoor you can grow a crop in 45 days.. that's quickest I think.. from a clone?

If anything is incorrect sorry, but everything is to the best of my knowledge.