This one seed-starting mistake will kill your cucumbers and squash before they even make it to the garden! Don’t waste weeks of effort and risk losing your veggie harvest. I’ll show you how to avoid this common error so you can grow strong, healthy plants for loads of cucumbers and squash this season.
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SUPPLIES I USE IN THIS VIDEO:
➡SEEDS:
Spring Garden Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimSpringGardenSeedCollection
Cucumber Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimCucumberSeedCollection
Squash Seed Collection: https://bit.ly/CaliKimSquashSeedCollection
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Plant trays (10×20):: https://amzn.to/3WeH6Iu
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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
Episode 4: https://bit.ly/CaliKimSeedStartingMistakesMistakesNOTtoMake
Episode 5: https://bit.ly/CaliKimNeverOverwaterSeedlingsAgain
Episode 6: https://bit.ly/CaliKimBigOnionsFromSeed
TIMESTAMPS: (click the timestamp to jump to a specific tip or re-watch your favorite part)
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Tip 1
01:14 Tip 2
01:44 Tip 3
02:39 Tip 4
04:21 Key to perfect timing
BOOKS
The 10-Minute Gardener: 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
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AMAZON:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
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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
I'm at WORK & still the 1st comment? 😀
Let's get real for a moment: have you made this mistake?
➡Sale: 30% off CaliKim Seed Collections w/ code "STARTSEEDS": https://bit.ly/CaliKimSeedCollection. Ends 1/28/25
Wow I can't wait to grow squash can I just plant the seed in my smart pot
In Southern California what month should we think of starting squash?
Hi Kim & family hope everyone is well. It's a blessing to always showing us new tips can't wait to try this God bless my dear and have a blessed day
I LOVE the tip of pre-warming the soil!! Seriously, I am this many years old and just heard that? How have I ever missed this – that's almost life changing! 😃 Fabulous and Thank you! PS – so jelly I am having to wait to catch up with you southern gardeners. Toe-tap, toe-tap, toe-tap.
😢Esto suena muy bien y me gustaría ser parte en esto. Hay alguna manera de hablar con ella?
Watching
Ok one thing l might grow 6 or 7 kinds of tomatoes this year 😊
Crazy warm during these Santa Ana winds in Orange County. I put some kitchen scraps in a raised bed in November and got 25 winter squash plants coming up. I took out most because I needed the room for onions. I left 2 plants for an experiment. They are looking so good and I have a “fruit” on one. Crazy!
Pesty spider mites every darn time i try
If you want some early cucumbers Kim, there are some varieties out there that are short, quick cropping. I have sown some Polish/Ukraine native ones. London, UK Zone 9a. Not recommended obviously for colder climates, until later. Maybe look for Canadian varieties where you are but in a dry area.
If i were to wait for 60f/ 15c at night, we would never have any squash in the UK! 50f/ 10 c is more than plenty. You just need to check the varieties local to you. They are more adapted to the climate that you are in. If you understand the variety you want to grow, then check the climate too and not just temps.
If you live in a humid climate, then baking soil for seed is a better option to avoid fungus gnats. Also for humid areas, put a layer of vermiculite on top and don't spray the surface. Bottom water too to avoid dampening off.
I also think if you have AC or radiators on, in winter, it plays a big part in drying off your plants, also inconsistent temps, when on a timer. Heat mats are great but be careful where you place them as on a South facing window it can cook them.
Anyway, hope you are safe from the Hughes fires. Weather is crazy atm, with the deep low cold temps in Texas, etc. Not sure if you were aware but it developed in 200mph jet stream about to hit Ireland and UK as i type. West Ireland is set to have 100- 120mph winds and then cross the Scotland/England border. It is an extreme weather event. Met office only upped the status to a red alert lunchtime Thursday, hours before, When they knew about the 200mph jet stream earlier this week, which could have given people more time.
Like with all weather events, i hope that it is minimalised as much as possible.
Take care and stay safe!
PRAYER is the most Powerful Weapon we have CaliKim. Pray for California, the Winds to cease, and Fire to go out, & much needed Rain, in Jesus Mighty Name… PRAY everyday, God will hear you..