28 Garden Tips I Wish I’d Known Sooner | For New & Seasoned Gardeners

[@stephaniegee227]

My number one tip is to keep trying. We live in so many different areas - it never hurts to give something new a try - a veggie, herb, flower - or a way to grow it - in ground, in a container, etc. My biggest tip is to keep trying new things.

[@CaliKim29]

Love that, Stephanie! I always learn something new every year!

[@EmpressG]

Agreed! 😊

[@jaytoney3007]

Hi Kim, Hello from freezing cold Alabama. My pepper plants have survived two nights of frost, and there are two more days to go with temps in the 30s. I’ll get one, maybe two more harvests from them, not that need more peppers. I have about 36 quarts of diced peppers from this year’s harvest in my freezers plus left-over diced peppers from last year. Yesterday, I needed to warm up the house, so I made batch of eight pints of salsa. I have more than enough tomatoes in my freezer to make eight more jars and sixteen jars of tomato sauce. I’ll probably still have tomatoes left over to make tomato soup with. I have yet to learn when to quit gardening for the year. My fall/winter garden looks great with parsnips, carrots, beets, turnips, red cabbage, Swiss Chard, Dutch Cabbage, Komatsuna, Tatsoi, Yellow Heart Winter Choy, Napa Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Pak Choi growing. And to think, it starts all over again in January for me with seed starts. By February 20th, I have plants in the ground for my winter garden, chard, mustard, carrots, beets, turnips, lettuce, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, peas, lettuce, Pak Choi, cabbage, and whatever else I want to plant. I’ll have 15 of 16 raised beds ready to use. Yeah, I’m probably growing too much, but I have chickens to spoil. They pay me back with eggs, and poop for my compost. Lots of poop!

[@CaliKim29]

That’s so much food you're growing - lots to share with the neighbors and the chickens! Great job you're doing there, Jay! CK

[@daygirl2659]

Succession planting is such a great idea!! I’m going to do that with my lettuces and greens. Also over wintering your peppers here in So Cal. My Hungarian wax pepper came back and produced wonderfully. Another round of peppers now💚

[@CaliKim29]

I’m so glad that was helpful for you! Succession planting is a game-changer. Yay for the Hungarian Wax peppers, they are a solid producer!

[@thatzmyart]

I like the fig tree idea... I want to try it

[@CaliKim29]

Go for it- learn as we grow….

[@EmpressG]

My top tips are a couple of yours and a couple of my own 😊 1. Mulch. I grew up in a yard with bountiful fruit and veg where nothing was ever mulched so I never even thought about it in my own garden. This year that was a game changer for me. I cringe to think how much good soil I lost over the last couple of years due to rain washing it away, the harsh sun beating down on it, and the wind blowing it away when it got totally dried out. I mulched this year to stop the rain and wind erosion and my plants have never been more vibrant. Now, as I think because the soil is much cooler, I have tons of red wiggly earthworms happy in my veggie beds. Bonus! 2. Provide flowers. I've never been a flower person and when asked where the flowers in my garden were I'd say, "Grow food not flowers!" 😃 BUT! Flowers actually help to get you even more food because the butterflies and bees go crazy for them and help to pollinate your veggies too. I like to let some of my herbs flower. The flowers are super cute and the pollinators really love those. 3. Provide sacrificial plants. I leave a patch of weeds (actually quite delicate looking and flowering) for the bees and butterflies to inhabit. The butterflies like to raise their caterpillars on them and they feed on the leaves voraciously. Last year I had to cut the patch down because an invasive vine had worked its wsy through and was becoming out of control. Guess what...the caterpillars snacked on my veggie leaves and my passion fruit vine was completely decimated. 😭 This year the weeds are back and they are remaining contained in 'their' part of the garden. 4. Compost in place. I collect 'soft' kitchen scraps in a 2L bucket (just on my kitchen counter) to compost directly in and around my fruit trees and veggie beds and the plants love it. Soft scraps are no rinds or roots and no stems or seeds. Rinds and stems take too long to break down, and roots and seeds can lead to inadvertent germination. Coffee grounds, banana peels, veggie skins, onion and garlic papers etc. The smaller the pieces the quicker it breaks down. Some people even blend their mix into a smoothie but that's a little too much work for me 😆 Just dig a little hole or trench, and job done! My soil has markedly improved and is teeming with life and health. 5. Experiment. Whenever I seed, or even sometimes with seedlings, I do some in the ground and some in containers. I prefer in ground, and had I done that this year I would have been sorely disappointed. My peppers in ground all died while the ones in containers are thriving even though they were literally planted right next to each other! Some things that are touted as full sun work best for me in part shade. My mother has a massive thriving rosemary bush in the soggiest soil and darkest part of her garden. When I try to grow rosemary in its 'perfect climate' in an exposed area of sandy loam soil in my own garden it doesn't work. Don't always go by what 'expert' gardeners say. Familiarise yourself with your own garden climate and see what works and what doesn't. Happy gardening 🤗

[@CaliKim29]

You've got some great ideas here! Mulch is a game-changer! GREAT pointers…. CaliKim

[@MyrsGarden]

Great tips, Kim. Thankfully, I was able to save myself so much headache and grief since I found you before I started! You’re a GEM💎

[@CaliKim29]

That makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad these tips have helped you out. Happy Gardening!

[@santaanaroadwildman3614]

I'm very interested in the espalier method. Costco occasionally sells 5 gallon buckets of apple, etc fruit trees. Gotta have the chill zone! Mine is under the overhead patio attached to the south kitchen sliding glass door. Great for BBQ or a pilsner or IPA!

[@CaliKim29]

Espalier is a beautiful way to grow fruit trees-they really make a statement in the garden! We’ll see how this goes !!

[@NewDimension7]

Good Morning Its very beautiful garden Thank for all tips

[@CaliKim29]

Thank you! We’re happy you enjoyed it! CK/CG

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

Thank you Kim for all of the tips. I definitely will follow them this fall and winter

[@CaliKim29]

I hope you have a bountiful harvest this fall and winter!!

[@Charlene.Insure]

Great tips Kim!

[@CaliKim29]

Glad it was helpful, Charlene!

[@beckymartinez9926]

Great tips! Thanks Kim and Jerry 🌻

[@CaliKim29]

You are so welcome, Becky! Hope you find them helpful, and I’d love to hear which one is your favorite!

[@SikrosSpencer]

You are awesome!!!!!

[@CaliKim29]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Keep an eye out for more videos and please subscribe if you haven't already!

[@h.sinclair]

I concur. Camera Guy is no slouch either... LOL ❤

[@santaanaroadwildman3614]

You're back! Nisha's passionfruit is growing buckwild! Same here! Adds to the tropical vibe I love. I use them for my smoothies. I look forward to the winter greens + flowers! I MUST get overwintering peppers right. Mine survive but not as productive as my fresh plants from seed (so easy) I'm off work Monday but idk if there's a Livestream

[@CaliKim29]

Passionfruit is a great tropical touch! I’m happy to hear you’re getting overwintering peppers down.

[@CaliKim29]

Which is your favorite tip? Thanks for gardening with us! -CaliKim &. CameraGuy 🍅25% off CaliKim Smart Pots, Seed Collections, and Garden Kits w/ code “CALIIM25”, calikimgardenandhome.com. Ends 10.25.24. 📕Pre-order CaliKim’s new book: "The 10-Minute Gardener" (releasing winter, 2024) at calikimgardenandhome.com/pages/10-minute-gardener, and get 2 freebies: ➡A FREE digital guide : "How to Create a Seed Starting Station in 10 Minutes", an exclusive sneak-peek inside CaliKim's new book!

[@GardeningandMyDailyLife]

Cây húng quế của bạn lớn quá ,dâu Tây và các loại cây trồng khác cũng được chăm sóc tốt chúng phát triển thật tốt.

[@CaliKim29]

Thank you 🙏!!!!

[@JackieHorsley-z8s]

I have been growing my fall garden Iam growing lots of greens and some root crops outdoors so fare there not doing to bad to Spite the warm weather, what,s good Is Its been cool at night so It gives my plants a Break from the hot weather, my number one tip If you get Discouraged just try again,

[@CaliKim29]

Sounds like you're on the right track with your fall garden! It's all about persistence, keep it up, Jackie! Great job!

[@keithrodz6485]

Hi kim for the first time I'm going Korean radishes have you ever grown Korean radishes how many times do I have to add compost to my smart pots❤

[@CaliKim29]

Hey Keith! That’s awesome you’re growing Korean radishes! I haven’t grown them myself, but they grow well in cooler temps, so you should have a great crop. For compost in your Smart Pots, add a nice layer when you plant, and then maybe top it off again in a month or so. Radishes love rich, loose soil, so they will do great in Smart Pots! Keep me posted on how they turn out!

[@h.sinclair]

I realize your question was for @CaliKim29, so apologies, but I'll chime in with some hopefully helpful info, all spring and summer I have grown radishes and a lot of Daikon (if that's what you mean by Korean Radish), daikon isn't like red varieties of radish like the French Breakfast where you have radishes in 3 weeks, they take way longer but if you leave them, they get bigger and bigger (sweeter when they are like 3-4" long but the can get huge).. Today I planted like 400 daikon seeds in 3 new beds around other plants I have with the intention of letting them mature for a long time, grow deep roots and help break up any deeper soil compaction ( I heard they do this LOL I hope). I also recently discovered another sweet awesome thing (actually found it due to growing several/many iterations of CaliKim's microgreens), you can get microgreen daikon sprouts, they grow fast and go 2-4" and are sweet and bitter/tart at the same time excellent I have been mixing them with harvests of CaliKims microgreens for salads and it's quite awesome! Good luck!!!

[@harveybyars8655]

I’m sure you know, but talking about the blackberries, you can bend those canes over and bury them in a pot of dirt and get a new plant, then just cut it loose from the main plant.

[@CaliKim29]

Yepper, but I'm glad you posted that, for others' sake, as well! Nicely played. Thanks, Harvey! CaliKim

[@teriwilliams4212]

When is the best time to cut back strawberries? Great video!

[@CaliKim29]

The best time to cut back strawberries is in late summer to early fall, once fruit production slows down. At this time, remove any dead or damaged leaves, and trim back the foliage to a few inches above the crown. This cleanup helps rejuvenate the plants, encourages new growth, and reduces the risk of pests and diseases through the cooler months. For everbearing or day-neutral varieties, which can fruit well into fall, you may want to wait until they’ve fully stopped producing. With mild coastal winters, your strawberries may stay green year-round, so a light trim is all that’s usually needed. Hope this helps - CK

[@mistertapa]

I'd love any advice on drip systems. After years of hand watering my garden, my partner and I had a drip system installed. Now, I’m in this funny situation where it feels like I’ve lost touch with the soil. It’s hard to tell when to refresh the beds btwn seasons because, with everything receiving a constant drip, the plants (AND WEEDS) seem to be in a constant state of transition-something’s always coming in or going out. I’m also certain the water volume is not right; some plants are thriving while others aren’t doing well at all. I thought it would be a simple install-and-go setup, but it seems like it requires a lot more tweaking to make everything work. Hand watering with my way to stay connected with everything… Guess I have to find a new rhythm. I certainly don’t wanna go with that. Obviously, drip system is more environmentally sensible and better for the plants if set up properly.

[@CaliKim29]

Search my channel (click on my Pic) and search for drip irrigation. I have very thorough videos on this!! CK

[@stephanieyoung8575]

Hey

[@brichter4669]

Thanks for the gardening tips, Kim. I like the saucer rollers you have under your grow bags on the upper deck. Is the plant saucer connected to the wheel base or are the roller base and saucer separate? I am very interested in them. What brand are they and where did you buy them? Always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@CaliKim29]

Hey there! I'm glad you liked the tips! The plant dolly/saucers I use are all connected to the roller base and come with drainage holes plus a plug. This setup is fantastic for effective container watering and for protecting our new deck. They’re definitely an investment, but worth it for the convenience! Here are the links for you to check them out:1 pack 17:" amzn.to/4hunf1e. 2 pack 20": amzn.to/3C9n1fO. Thanks for watching! Mine are the 20" which fit up to 15 gallon smart Pots, and also work well for smaller sizes.

[@brichter4669]

@@CaliKim29 Thank you, Kim!

[@SeedtoSprout-k3f]

What are the benefits of container gardening as mentioned in Tip 1?

[@CaliKim29]

Container gardening is a fantastic way to enjoy the joys of gardening, especially if you're short on space! It lets you grow your favorite plants on patios, balconies, or even indoors, making it super convenient. Plus, you get to control the soil mix, ensuring your plants get all the nutrients they crave without the hassle of pesky weeds. Moving your containers around is a breeze, so you can soak up the sun or shield them from harsh weather. And guess what? It can even help keep pests at bay, as your plants are less exposed to soil-borne critters. Plus, container gardening extends your growing season-just bring those babies inside when it gets too cold! 🌱 If you want to dive deeper into container gardening, be sure to check out our container garden series for loads of fun tips and tricks! Thanks for watching and don’t forget to give this video a a thumbs up and subscribe for more! Happy planting!

[@rturney6376]

How do you keep mice 🐁 away?

[@CaliKim29]

Ugh, I totally get it-it’s so frustrating when those sneaky little guys get into the veggies! For mice and rats, we use snap traps. You could also try soaking some cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around the garden - they really don’t like the smell! And keeping things tidy-like no piles of debris or tall grass-helps cut down their hiding spots. Hang in there, they’re tricky, but we can outsmart them!

[@rturney6376]

@@CaliKim29 ♥️♥️♥️♥️🙌🙌🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻. Thanks, ☺️ Kim!!!

[@deboz8793]

I too had mice (hoping it was just one 😏), and I used organza bags on my tomatoes. Although the mice still got a few of them, most of the tomatoes were left alone. And I purposely grew 3 cherry tomato plants hoping to keep the squirrels away from the regular sized tomatoes, and I do believe the mice were eating those too. Luckily, the mice didn’t bother my pepper plants. I’m in Central Ohio, so our summer growing season has ended. Good luck!

[@Lunasgarden2021]

@@deboz8793I’m in South Australia and it’s spring here and my passion fruit plant is producing so I’m putting the little organza bags on my passion fruits because I didn’t get any last year due to rats and mice Grrrrr

[@joebloggs6699]

get some sleep babe!

[@anniedove]

I have experienced the toasty strawberries. I can empathize. All the best rejuvenating the raised garden beds. I've got some work cut out for me. I'm thinking about doing the hanging baskets. I've got to find milk crates, too. I'll be overwintering the peppers. I got some new Smart Pots from you, and I'm planning on starting some cucumbers this weekend as well. I love container gardening! Great to see Mac as always! Sage makes beautiful purple flowers, too. Love the fall painting, too, btw. Your fountain garden bed is gorgeous. Kim, you kinda remind me of a homesteader. I like to watch Homestead Rescue, and they are all about saving money and repurposing., which is cool! Jesus ate figs (random)🥰❤🌻🪴

[@CaliKim29]

It’s so fun to see how many people are gardening, and making it their own - you are doing great!

[@brianseybert192]

As always a lot of great info, I bet you could make an entire series of if only I'd known sooner garden tips for each season. Never thought about starting basil from cuttings. We already had a couple frosts, but one of my basils is still hanging on (here is another idea for a video, microenvironments in your garden). I was just planning on starting some basil and spinach in a hydroponic set up inside, now I can go the cutting rout instead. Finally posted a garden tour if interested, here is a link kzbin.info/www/bejne/ome4nIWMZahjq7Msi=OQgIk57Q9oY40xYl Have a great week, stay Well!!!!

[@CaliKim29]

Glad the video sparked some thought and action. Thank you, too, for sending your tour link. Watched and Subscribed - absolutely beautiful garden. GREAT work! CK