Quick Navigation
Main Navigation
About Us
Education & Events
Ways to Give & Membership
Preservation
Shop
How Tos
What ? ! I have to pitch some of these perfectly healthy seedlings I work on so intemperately to start ? Which do I bring through and which do I not ? That is the chemical reaction of many a Modern gardener upon first learning that cutting seedlings is a necessary step to ensure intelligent emergence of plant life start . The reality is that , if left in crowded surroundings , your seedlings will finally suffer .
What is thinning?
Thinning seedling affect move out some of the seedling sown too nigh to one another so that the warm single can flourish . This practice ensure the proper spacing of works , either in cells inside or in the ground alfresco . If your seedlings are indoors , dilute them out until there is only one left in each mobile phone or passel . If your seedlings are direct sown outside , thin them according to the space requirements on the seed packet .
Why should I thin my seedlings?
Thinning crowded seedlings ensures that your plant have plenty of room to grow into strong , sound , matured plants . If left un - thinned , crowded seedlings will compete for nutrients , urine , melody , and root quad , and that will ultimately stunt their growth .
When should I thin my seedlings?
slight seedling when they have one to two sets of “ lawful ” leaves ( in addition to the first set of leaves to emerge ) .
How do I thin my seedlings?
Then , snip , do n’t rip . Once you have selected which seedling(s ) to keep , cut the others at the soil degree with pair of scissors . Do n’t pull the seedlings out ; if the roots are connect to the one(s ) you ’re keeping , the one you wish to keep could be pull out as well .
Remember , while perhaps difficult to have ab initio , thinning is a necessary part of garden to ensure that your garden will eventually be fill up with healthy , happy , and flourishing plant .
This article by Sara Friedl - Putnam was originally published in April , 2023 , on SSE ’s web log .
Thinning seedlings in the greenhouse at SSE.
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
Copyright © 2025 Seed Savers Exchange . image on this site are protected by copyright — unauthorized employment is not let .
Seed Savers Exchange is a tax - exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit constitution dedicated to the preservation of heirloom cum .
Thinning seedlings in the greenhouse at SSE.
