In the past I've always bought started plants from a garden store but this year I'm growing my own so I can try some fancy guys. I'm proud of them 🍅
when do I need to thin them to the best seedling? I feel bad committing tomato murder
by lmaluuker
5 Comments
Rather_be_on_a_trail
I am wondering the same.
HikingFun4
They look good. I’ve always managed to thin mine out by carefully separating them without disturbing the roots and planting them all (not sacrificing any). Sure it takes longer, but this way I get to keep all my plants alive. I gave a bunch away last year because I had so many.
benji3510
Yea I don’t like killing them off either lol. You could separate those no problem, just be gentle, don’t pull them hard, the younger ones will separate easy, that big one in the center might give you trouble. But don’t rush, be gentle, they’ll come apart. When you pot them back up give them a nice drink.
Muchomo256
They look ready, some of them. The rule of thumb is at least first true leaves and around 2 to 3 weeks old. The smaller ones you can probably wait another week.
I use cuticle scissors. It’s always emotional. You sow extra seeds because you don’t know if they will all germinate then later you have this decision to make.
dying_since_birth
at the risk of sounding like tom petty – the culling is the hardest part. i even apologize to my seedling sacrifices
5 Comments
I am wondering the same.
They look good. I’ve always managed to thin mine out by carefully separating them without disturbing the roots and planting them all (not sacrificing any). Sure it takes longer, but this way I get to keep all my plants alive. I gave a bunch away last year because I had so many.
Yea I don’t like killing them off either lol. You could separate those no problem, just be gentle, don’t pull them hard, the younger ones will separate easy, that big one in the center might give you trouble. But don’t rush, be gentle, they’ll come apart. When you pot them back up give them a nice drink.
They look ready, some of them. The rule of thumb is at least first true leaves and around 2 to 3 weeks old. The smaller ones you can probably wait another week.
I use cuticle scissors. It’s always emotional. You sow extra seeds because you don’t know if they will all germinate then later you have this decision to make.
at the risk of sounding like tom petty – the culling is the hardest part. i even apologize to my seedling sacrifices