How to Thin Seedlings
The Importance of Thinning
When embarking on the journey of cultivating plants from seeds, one must recognize the significance of the practice known as thinning. Thinning, in essence, entails the deliberate and thoughtful removal of excess seedlings that have sprouted in close proximity. This horticultural technique is grounded in the principle of granting the most robust and vital seedlings the space they require for their root systems to unfurl and flourish unencumbered. By conscientiously thinning out the surplus seedlings, the aspiring plants that remain are endowed with the precious opportunity to establish a foundation of optimal root growth, which ultimately serves as the bedrock for their overall health and future development
Watch the best way to thin seedlings – all you need is a pair of scissors!
Step 1: Reccomended spacing
Check your Burpee seeds packet to make sure you thin plants according to the recommended spacing. Each Burpee seed packet will have instructions on how to acheieve success with your growing journey.
Step 2: When is it ready to start thinning?
If you're new to gardening , you may not know when to start thinning your seedlings. You should thin seedlings when they have 1-2 sets of leaves.
Step 3: Start thinning seedlings
Now that your seedlings have 1-2 sets of leaves, use scissors to snip weak or crowded seedlings at the soil line. Snipping, rather than pulling, ensures you don’t damage the roots of the remaining seedlings.
That’s all there is to it! Use this same method whether thinning indoors or outdoors.
When it’s time to transplant indoor-started plants into the garden bed, make sure to harden them off – check out this how-to video!
