Life gets messy — and so does gardening.
This episode is about gardening (and life) with intention, not perfection. We’re kicking off 2026 by fixing rain erosion at the top of the hill, talking through what it really means to garden like you mean it, and sharing some honest, behind-the-scenes moments that don’t always make the highlight reel. No perfect plans. No polished resets. Just real conversations, and figuring it out as we go.
CaliKim UnCut pulls back the curtain on real garden life — the projects and behind-the-scenes moments that remind us why growing our own food is always worth it.
Thanks for being here — especially on the messy days.
Watch more CaliKim UnCut adventures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4z_9MDD00Kkn8gfcX-DehSvzCZocBLt
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15 Comments
Have you ever have a season where life feels messy, but you keep showing up anyway?
Would love to hear how you handle those moments. -CaliKim & CameraGuy
Hey Kim have you ever grown tomatillo because I'm going to start going that this year and Kim I will be 44 in March and are u going waterseal those two beds u have
Winter blues are real and it catches us by surprise to us Southern California whom are so dependent on that beautiful weather. Then you add normal stressors plus news everywhere and it’s just makes it worst. Knowing or recognizing is first step but moving an seeking light in darkness is another step to get us through it. Is temporary- that part I have faith in.
Oh yes Jerry I know exactly how you feel i hope you feel better soon because you got this Jerry. Here's my winter blues. God has been tugging at my heart for about the same time you we're going through your winter blues. So Jerry do you know what I'm going to do for you. I'm going to pray for you and Kim. I'm a spiritual person and I love hearing people's requests on what there dealing with. So I'm gonna step back for awhile from watching anything and be in constant prayer 🙏 I'll touch base with you and Kim in a couple weeks. May God Bless both you and Kim ❤ love you both
Jerry/CG – I was born and raised in central and south FL (left the state in my 20's) – BUT I've been living in NE for the last 30 years. I SO struggled with the dark of winter over the years. Still do sometimes. I need light. I need warmth. I need SUN! You are spot on with the approach of staying active, engaged, and making sure your environment is conducive to a positive mood. You got this! Kim/CK – in the place of messy (and not perfect) is often where genius is born. Einstein had a messy desk too. Or so I am told – and choose to believe. You go girl! Great uncut. Thank you!
Making sure I stop eating three hours before I go to bed and get 10 minutes of walking in after dinner (or do rebounding – even better) helps to make sure I can have a good night's rest. So all my body's energy can go to rest and repair and WON'T have to take most of my energy to try to digest food like I used to make it do. I started doing this at Christmas along with eating earlier and going to bed earlier… and it has really helped me get a much better night's sleep and more exercise now that I learned the importance of exercising after eating to facilitate the digestive process and move the lymphatic system as well…. and I'm in my late 60s. Before breakfast ,which is always just fresh raw fruit – 4 or 5+ servings, I drink lemon water and do 5-10 mins on the rebounder. These schedule changes and small amount of exercise really seem to be making a difference.
What are some of the deep rooted vegetables? I have noticed roots don't go that deep.
The early darkness is depressing. And I hate the cold and snow. And I live in New England. I just kind of burrow in my house till Spring. I've just accepted I hate Winter and feel no guilt about staying home and being cozy and relaxing.
Turn on all the lights so you don't feel like you're living in a cave. Put on some wild music and dance your butt off a few times a day. Watch something that makes you laugh till your stomach hurts. Wrap up in a fluffy blanket and watch your favorite childhood movie or tv show.
Be mindful of your health. Perhaps your body is fighting off something. I've discovered that if I burst into tears over s minor thing, that I'll be sick with the flu or something a day or two later.
Even though you don't have a "real" Winter, the early darkness combined with the relentless rain you've been having equals much less sunshine which is a real mood booster. No wonder you feel a little down and sluggish.
I’ve noticed since I’ve gotten older .43 years old , winter blues hit me harder. I love being outdoors. Exercising has helped lift my spirits up.
I LOVE the new theme and mindset! 😊😊😊
Use wood logs 🪵 twigs and garden dry leaves and grass clippings and of course city yard waste compost to fill your new raised bed
Jerry I hope we get the honor of hearing you play the piano some time! 😊❤
I guess I’m weird. Winter makes me happy and the hot summer brings me down. It’s so hot here I don’t even want to go outside. Gets worse as I get older.
I've had enough of this rain already! But it's making my cover crop in the new bed come in effortlessly.
I've had it with heirloom tomatoes. It's a battle with diseases that have sapped the joy. F1 hybrids this year