How to Prune Squash: Maximum Harvests, Less Space

Want maximum squash harvests, and healthier plants in less space? I'll show you how to easily prune your squash, step-by-step so get the most from them!
30% off CaliKim Seed Collections, CK Smart Pots and garden kits with code “DAD”, calikimgardenandhome.com. Ends 6.18.24.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: (click the time stamp to re-watch your favorite part of the video)
00:00 Introduction
01:16 Identify the main stem
01:32 Male and female blossom ID
02:00 Pruning
06:54 Tuck branches into trellis
07: 43 Clip wayward branches
08:08 When to prune
08:20 Water & feed
IN THIS VIDEO:
➡CaliKim Squash Seed Collection: bit.ly/CaliKimSquashSeedColle...
➡15 gallon Smart Pot: (10% off w/ code "calikim"): smartpots.com
➡CaliKim's favorite garden gloves: amzn.to/3zbjR9A
➡Tomato clips: amzn.to/4c3izfq
➡Precision pruners: amzn.to/3Ru8AHV
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➡Vermisterra Worm Tea/Vitality: vermisterra.com, 10% off with code “calikim”.
WATCH THESE VIDEOS FOR MORE GARDEN TIPS:
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Organic Gardening for Everyone: Homegrown Vegetables Made Easy: bit.ly/OrganicGardeningForEve...
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Worm castings, Vitality, Worm tea
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Music: Track Tribe: Boardwalk
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[@CaliKim29]

Are you pruning your squash plants? Let us know in the comments ⬇. Thanks for gardening with us! -CaliKim & CameraGuy ➡30% off CaliKim Seed Collections, CK Smart Pots and garden kits with code “DAD”, calikimgardenandhome.com. Ends 6.18.24. ➡June “Sizzling’ Summer Salad Station” Grow Your Groceries with CaliKim Connect+ Subscription Box: $20 off 1st box w/code “CONNECTJUNE”: bit.ly/CaliKimGrowYourGroceri.... Includes heat tolerant leafy green seeds, seed starting containers, soil, self-watering stake, and FREE canister of Monterey Lawn and Garden Sluggo Plus ($20 value). Available for limited time only. Visit monterylawngarden.com for pest and disease control products.

[@juliemoore6957]

Yes! I am growing my yellow squash vertically, thanks to you! And yes, it's time to prune! Thanks for the tips!

[@CaliKim29]

You are so welcome, Julie! Thanks for watching and commenting. Kim

[@sasdncr08]

It’s like you read my mind! Every time I get curious about something in my garden, you make a video about it! This was so helpful! Thanks!

[@CaliKim29]

That happens every so often - but I'm glad when it does! Where are you gardening from? CK

[@blackbirdatnight]

Thanks for the awesome tips! I did get the dreaded powdery mildew last time I grew zucchini. Your tips will help me a lot. I was growing in a cage, but I definitely let it get away - will be more vigilant this year!

[@CaliKim29]

Perfect response!!!! More vigilant this year! Nice Work, stay on it! LMK!! CaliKim

[@roottrackerzbyyaira]

Awesome tips, Kim and tyvm! I will use these tips. I harvested my Zephyr summer squash a few days ago 👏🏾

[@CaliKim29]

GREAT work!!! What a great feeling (and taste)!!! Keep it going! Thank you for watching and commenting - CaliKim

[@roottrackerzbyyaira]

@@CaliKim29 appreciate you! My 2 are in the ground but I know it all applies!

[@deliachitts1964]

Hi I have been growing these vegs for years and didn’t know I needed to prune the leaves thank you for sharing I may just use this knowledge next time round 😊

[@CaliKim29]

You are welcome and that sounds like a plan for you next year for sure. That's what's so cool about this gardening channel, is that we all share and learn from each other, etc! Thank you for watching - CaliKim

[@AprilMiller5312]

I need a cucumber plant video.. a to z... love ur videos!

[@CaliKim29]

Ok, we’ll call your number when orders up!!! lol!!! Thank you, April ! In case you don’t know….go to my channel (click on my pic) and on the tool bar you’ll see a search icon that searches my videos only. Search your heart out !!!

[@ceecee-thetransplantedgardener]

Thank you again! I just watched your other vid on trellising squash and between the two - I am all in. Yes!

[@CaliKim29]

You're in!

[@donnamullins2089]

Nice job. Glad you are on the alcohol cleaning tip. Thanks

[@CaliKim29]

You got it! CK

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Thanks for a very helpful tips.

[@CaliKim29]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching! CK

[@Stephanie_Cumbie]

Very helpful!!!! I wondered about WHERE to prune them….I never thought about the squash borer pest. I killed a slug yesterday in a squash container…cut him in half with the pruners. Nasty things. Thank you for the practicality!

[@CaliKim29]

Hey Stephanie - pruning next to main stem is VERY important. You'll have much healthier plants as a result. Ugh - slugs! Have you every used Monterey's Sluggo Plus ? (Monterey link in vid description) I'd be lost without it - no more pill bugs, slugs, snails or earwigs! Enjoy your weekend in the garden!

[@LL-fb8wz]

I can't seem to stop the squash vine bores they win

[@CaliKim29]

Try Monterey Garden Insect spray (I use it) - this has Spinofad which will penetrate the squash fine and eliminate the vine bores....check the video description b/c it has a discount code in there! Keep me posted! CK

[@LL-fb8wz]

@CaliKim29 Thanks I will try it

[@Wellbaby94]

Yes, vertically, but I need to work up the courage to go prune-they can be brutal!

[@CaliKim29]

Totally get it. Perhaps try just doing one section. Keep it simple and fun and build from there.....? Your thoughts, doable? CK

[@waldorules7725]

New to growing veggies and will head out this early morning to take a look. My squash is growing in the ground and looks beautiful. There is no fruit yet, but there are flowers. If grown in the ground should they also have a cage? Thank you for your tips, and the comments/responses are also very helpful! 😊

[@CaliKim29]

GREAT job out there! No, it is not necessary for squash plants to have a trellis support, but using a trellis can be beneficial in certain situations, for example, Space Saving (if an issue), Air circulation, easier to harvest, help prevents root rot. Love excitement level!! CaliKim

[@waldorules7725]

Thank you 😊

[@Ashas.Garden]

I’m growing my squash vertically clipped to a stake, airflow and pest control is great, unfortunately I’ve lost a couple zucchini to blossom end rot. I’ll have to check out some of your other videos on this topic.

[@CaliKim29]

Sounds like a plan!! Best bet to search my videos only (if that's what you are after) is to click on my icon: takes you to my channel, look for the search glass (icon) and type in whatever it is you want to know more about! Thanks for watching - and where are you gardening from ? CK

[@Ashas.Garden]

@@CaliKim29 I’m in San Diego, zone 10b. 😎

[@lens7859]

Rookie mistake, this is my first year trying grow bags, and I put zucchini in a 5 gallon bag. Too small. Will get the bigger ones and try the cage next season. Thanks

[@CaliKim29]

Hey that's alright....are you going to remove anything so they don't compete for resources, or are they far enough part you think they'll be ok? CK

[@lens7859]

@@CaliKim29 one plant in a bag, they are growing and starting to produce , but they are big.

[@juliekovach9784]

My squash, some in #Smartpots in tomato cages, some in raised beds with vertical trellis, are not old enough and do not have flowers yet, so are not ready to prune. But with what I have learned from you in this video, I’ll be ready! BTW, since I have boxes and boxes of Alcohol Prep Pads for human medical uses, I open one and use it to clean my pruners between cuttings. 😊

[@CaliKim29]

So funny. (because I know you, etc, etc). Great job, as always, Julie! CK

[@h.sinclair]

I like your knee pad!!

[@CaliKim29]

Game changer, I tell you!! These were one of my items in my monthly subscription box. Everybody loved it! CameraGuy used it when rebuilding the deck..etc. Thanks for watching all these years, H.Sinclair. Kim

[@keithrodz6485]

Good kim can I grow gourds in my smartpots 😊

[@CaliKim29]

Yes you can, Keith. Grow in at least a 10 gal, trellis as you would any vining squash. Let me know how it goes!

[@GardenDice]

Hi, thanks for this video! Yes, I pruned my squash yesterday in fact. After watching this video, I think I may have done things a little out of order in that I think I pruned one or two leaves above the first blossom. 😳Hopefully that won’t harm the squash?😅

[@CaliKim29]

LOL! It shouldn't!! Thanks for subbing! Are you the Amber that was on my Livestream last Monday, 12pm PT, for the first time? Kim

[@GardenDice]

@@CaliKim29 yep, same Amber!😊

[@annetteroberts8505]

Hi im new to your channel, and new to gardening. My squash plant have powdery mildew on the leaves have you got any information on how to get rid of it please ❤

[@CaliKim29]

Hi Annette - welcome to our channel and to gardening! PM video coming soon! Being proactive is key for PM. Whenever I plant anything, I drench the roots with Monterey Complete Disease Control (Monterey link and discount code in vid description) to prevent the disease. Once PM shows up, at the first sign of it, I spray with the same product. It works very well for prevention and control. Always spray in the evening to prevent UV damage to your plant. Good luck!

[@annetteroberts8505]

@@CaliKim29 Thank you so much ❤️

[@paulavagi9216]

Does this pruning hold true for zucchini as well?

[@CaliKim29]

Hi Paul, yes, use the same pruning technique for all squash. Vining squash will need a larger trellis, a tomato cage works great for growing bush squash vertically. Keep me posted!

[@lisag9752]

Will this also work with cucumbers?

[@CaliKim29]

Hi Lisa, yes it will! Cucumbers will need a taller trellis, though. Watch my trellis videos for more ideas. Have fun!