Thinning seedlings may seem hard, but it's necessary for most plants. Here is how to thin seedlings correctly.
I'll be honest, thinning is painful! I just hate to cut out seedlings that are completely healthy.
It seems counterintuitive to kill healthy plants, but you need to do it! Sometimes you can separate the seedlings so you don't have to kill them.
Why Thinning Seedlings Is Important
Overcrowding can be unhealthy especially for some plants. If carrots grow too close together they will just grow into a big clump of roots.
Tomatoes and peppers need enough room so they can get sunlight. While some plants like lettuce can be grown closer together without the need for thinning, many plants benefit from proper spacing.
Properly thinning can lead to healthier plants and eventually a better harvest.
The Best Time For Thinning
Thinning can technically be done at any stage in a plant's growth. I however, like to thin my seedlings right when their first set of true leaves are coming in.
Seedlings will sprout with seed leaves before they grow their first set of true leaves. I allow my plants to get to the point when the true leaves are just coming through.
For root crops it is best to thin them early so that you don't disturb the other plants.
What Plants Need Thinning
Not all plants need to be thinned. It is usually the plants that have tiny seeds that need to be thinned.
Plants with large seeds like beans and squash are easy enough to space when planting the seeds. However, plants like carrots and lettuce have such tiny seeds that are very difficult to space.
If you can space those tiny seeds out when planting, then you won't need to thin any seedlings!
How Much Space Should I Leave Between Plants
Every variety has different spacing requirements. I recommend checking your seed packets for spacing recommendations.
Now, these are just recommendations. As I gain more gardening experience I have developed my own spacing rules in my head.
I don't really use a ruler in the garden anymore. Instead, when I plant seedlings I just think about how big the plants will be.
Beans need about 4 inches of spacing, carrots get about an inch across so they need 2 inches in-between, my tomatoes are gigantic so I should plant them two feet apart.. This is how my thinking goes.
So check your seed packet for spacing or just go on experience.
How To Thin Seedlings
There are two ways to thin seedlings. One involves killing plants and the other does not.
Here is how to do each one.
Thinning By Snipping
Thinning by snipping is best for plants that are planted in the ground, but it can be used in pots. This is a great way to thin seedlings that are so close together that pulling one seedling out doesn't work.
To start get some scissors, pruners, or these herb snippers. Next, find the healthiest looking seedlings. (You want to save the healthy ones)
Finally, snip out seedlings until you have the desired spacing. You are now done with thinning your seedlings!
You can compost these thinned seedlings or throw them to your chickens. If the seedlings you are trimming are edible (like carrots, cabbage, lettuce, etc.) you can add them to salads!
Thinning Seedlings Without Killing Them
If your like me, you hate to kill any plants in your garden.. expect weeds. The good news is, you can thin some seedlings without killing them!
In my garden I normally just thin out my seedlings without trying to save them. However, in my greenhouse I try to save many of my seedlings.
Tomato, peppers and many other seedlings can be salvaged and put into their own pots. Here's how I do it.
Step 1: Water Your Seedlings
Water your soil deeply before thinning. This will help us pull the plants apart without damaging the roots too much.
Step 2: Pull The Plants Out
Pull out the seedlings and soil that are in the pot. Keep everything intact at this point.
Step 3: Drop your seedlings
Yep, you read that right. The best way to pull your seedlings apart without damaging them is to drop them!
You only need to drop them from about 6-12 inches above a seedling tray. The shock of the hit will make the soil and seedlings separate.
Step 4: Pull You Plants Apart
Work slowly to pull your seedlings apart. Once you get one seedling's root system untangled you can then put it in a new pot with soil.
This is a great way to start and pot up tomato seedlings.
How To Prevent The Need For Thinning
If you properly space your seeds you won't need to thin the plants later on. It will take more time to pinch and drop each seed one-by-one, but it means no thinning.
So there you have it! Either space your seeds or thin your seedlings.
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