11 mistakes NOT to make when starting seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, you’ll learn how to prevent seedling problems and boost your plant’s growth. Watch the Grow Your Garden with CaliKim series for a complete guide on growing your vegetable garden from seed to harvest and everything in between.
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➡10-Minute Gardener Spring Garden Seed/Book Bundle: Save $5 with the bundle, plus an additional 10% off with code “NEWYEAR”: https://bit.ly/CaliKim10MinuteGardenerBookSeedBundleSpringGardenSeeds
📕CaliKim’s New Book: The 10-Minute Gardener
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SUPPLIES I USE IN THIS VIDEO:
➡10-Minute Gardener Spring Garden Seed/Book Bundle: Save $5 with the bundle, plus an additional 10% off with code “NEWYEAR”: https://bit.ly/CaliKim10MinuteGardenerBookSeedBundleSpringGardenSeeds
➡SEEDS:
Spring Garden Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimSpringGardenSeedCollection
Tomato Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimTomatoSeedCollection
Pepper Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimPepperSeedCollection
Eggplant Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimEggplantSeedCollection
➡SEED STARTING SUPPLIES:
6 packs: https://amzn.to/3PlDlgD
Plant trays (10×20):: https://amzn.to/3WeH6Iu
Plant trays (10×10): https://amzn.to/3PvJTJJ
Plant labels: https://amzn.to/3W8UjT9
Cow pots: https://amzn.to/4295uiF
➡GROW LIGHTS:
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-S hooks: https://amzn.to/3DMhH2E
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-2 foot Shop light fixture with LED bulbs: https://amzn.to/3W5Ayft
4. TIMER Power Strip with spin dial: https://amzn.to/3BYr0fn
WATCH FOR MORE GARDEN TIPS:
Grow Your Garden with CaliKim series:
Episode 1: https://bit.ly/CaliKimGrowYour2025GardenPlan5EasySteps
Episode 2: https://bit.ly/CaliKimFailproofSeedStartingMix
Episode 3: https://bit.ly/CaliKimGrowLightsNoStressDIY
TIMESTAMPS: (click the timestamp to jump to a specific tip or re-watch your favorite part)
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Mistake 1: Starting seeds outside instead of inside
01:01 Mistake 2: Starting seeds too early or too late
02:05 Mistake 3: Using poor-quality or garden soil
03:17 Mistake 4: Not pre-moistening seed starting mix
04:07 Seed starting supplies
05:00 Mistake 5: Not thumb packing your seed starting mix
05:37 Mistake 6: Not pre-warming the soil
06:04 Mistake 7: Planting seeds too deeply
07:10 Mistake 8: Forgetting to label
10:29 Mistake 9: Not watering seeds gently
11:33 Mistake 10: Not using a heat mat
12:43 Mistake 11: Not providing enough light
BOOKS
The 10-Minute Gardener (release date, Christmas Eve, 2024) pre-order now at: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/pages/10-minute-gardener
The First-Time Gardener: Raised Bed Gardening: https://bit.ly/TheFirstTimeGardenerRaisedBedGardening
Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy: https://bit.ly/OrganicGardeningForEveryone
SEEDS
CaliKim Seed Collections: https://calikimgardenandhome.com
CONTAINERS
CaliKim 1, 5, 10 gallon Smart Pots, Little Shorty 3′ fabric raised bed: https://calikimgardenandhome.com/collections/smart-pots
Smart Pots (other sizes): use. code “calikim” for 10% off at https://smartpots.com
What size Smart Pot? https://smartpots.com/what-size-smart-pot-should-I-use/
PEST & DISEASE CONTROL:
Monterey Lawn & Garden: https://www.montereylawngarden.com. Use code “CALIKIM10” for 10% off sitewide.
SOIL AMENDMENTS & FERTILIZER
Vermisterra: https://vermisterra.com
Worm castings, Vitality, Worm tea
10% off with code “calikim”
AMAZON:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
Amazon general links:
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Garden fertilizers:https://amzn.to/2uQkhBh
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Grow Lights: https://amzn.to/2NlY5FB
Garden Tools: https://amzn.to/2RiwRRq
Amazon lawn & garden supplies: https://amzn.to/30kFe2Z
WHERE TO FIND ME:
Seed & Garden Shop:https://calikimgardenandhome.com
Instagram: CaliKim: http://instagram.com/calikim29
CameraGuy: https://www.instagram.com/calicameraguy/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CaliKimGardenandHomeDIY/
13 Comments
Which of these mistakes have you made? I'll be reading your comments and will personally answer each one! 🍅New Year's Sale: 20% off Smart Pots, Garden Kits & Seed Collections w/ code "2025", 10% off all book/seed bundles with code “NEWYEAR”
📕10-Minute Gardener Spring Garden Seed/Book Bundle: Save $5 with the bundle, plus an additional 10% off with code “NEWYEAR”: https://bit.ly/CaliKim10MinuteGardenerBookSeedBundleSpringGardenSeeds.
Thanks for your support! – CaliKim and CameraGuy
Thumb packing! That is a terrific tip I have to add to my list. Thank you!
Is your house still save from the fire
What zone are you in California? I am 9B/10 in Florida. We are experiencing cooler weather so far. But, my area has had no frost yet. I keep an eye on the weather. I am 5 years on this side of the state and I have a different soil and conditions. I have no shade during the day except early morning from the house. After 11 AM its hot till sunset. And even then in the Spring it reach 90*. I really want to grow a veggie garden in my very large pots. You mentioned starting into doors with grow lights. Should that be a factor in South Central Florida?
Hi Kim, thank you for these videos. I am in Southern CA. We are okay down south, hope you and your family are safe. Question: Should I use domes on my seed trays?
I have sprouts, All Season Cabbage, Calabrese Broccoli, Self Blanching Cauliflower, Red Burgundy Onions, and Yellow Potato Onions. Time for round two, tomatoes, peppers, basil, cilantro, dill, Marjoram, and oregano. Round three will be leafy greens, Tokyo Bekana Mustard, Pak Choi, Romaine Lettuce, assorted leaf lettuces, then flowers, alyssum, purple cone flower, marigolds, zinnias, bachelor button, butterfly weed, butterfly flower, and cosmos. Then the fun begins!
It snowed today, then rained, and snowed again. Now the mush is freezing solid. Tomorrow is going to be worse with a forecasted low temperature of 20F. And… I still have a head of broccoli developing, Swiss Chard, carrots, and parsnips growing. The carrots and Parsnips are ready to harvest.
Never thought of warming up the soil first before planting warm veggie seeds. Going to do that this year. And never heard the term, ‘Thumb Packing’ before. I’m always learning some new tidbit from you. Thanks.
Good videos and tips. That's a great idea for me to try and preheat the soil when planting my eggplants and tomatoes since I have trouble getting them to germinate and dont have a heating mat. Also a great idea to fill the tomato trays halfway with soil so I can backfill as it grows to give it stronger roots. I will try that 👏
Thanks for the tips. Very helpful, particularly about "thumbing down the soil" and adding soil level to tomatoes. I live in coastal GA, and spring starts early here. Time to get the seeds moving.
I live in Florida zone 10b can i start my seeds in my covered, screened in patio instead of inside my house? (I can bring them inside if it gets cold)
Dollar Tree sells the aluminum pans cheap!
LOVE that surge protector!!! Thanks!
This year, I decided to start my pepper seeds inside with a heat mat and light instead of my green house. The greenhouse doesn't have electricity to plug any heating mats or anything, and so it was just the right choice for me. I can definitely notice that the seeds are sprouting much easier and faster compared to the past years, starting them in the greenhouse around this time of the year.