How to Thin Vegetable Seedlings

Updated on 10/06/21

Reviewed by

thinning out vegetable seedlings — The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Project Overview

Working Time: 15 - 20 mins
Total Time: 15 - 20 mins
Yield: One 6-foot row

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $0

Growing vegetables from seed is much less expensive than planting seedlings purchased from a garden center, but there is an extra step when you garden this way. To save time and effort, many gardeners sow vegetable seeds—especially seeds that are very tiny—simply by broadcast sprinkling them in garden beds rather than sowing each seed individually. As a result, the seedlings are too closely spaced when they sprout. When this happens, you must systematically remove the extra seedlings (called "thinning") to provide enough space for the remaining seedlings to grow to maturity. Thinning seedlings produces healthier plants and higher yields by reducing competition for water and nutrients and providing good air circulation between plants. Fortunately, it is one of the easiest garden tasks.

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When to Thin Vegetable Seedlings

Seedlings are usually thinned when they have one to two sets of true leaves. The first leaves, known as the cotelydons, are embryonic seeds stored in the seeds, and the plant is not viable until the next true leaves appear, which will have a much different appearance.

Most plants develop their first true leaves at 2 to 3 inches in height, at which time they are fairly each to grasp by the stem and pull out. If you prefer to pull your seedlings rather than cutting them with scissors, thinning while the soil is still damp after watering will make it easier to slip them out without disturbing other seedligns. And it's best to thinin the evening, which gives the remaining seedlngs a chance to adjust overnight before being exposed to heat and sunlight.

Before Getting Started

Some gardeners find it difficult to sacrifice so many vegetable plants. The good news is that with some plants—like lettuce, beets, chard, and spinach—you can toss the tiny seedlings you remove into salads, stir-fries, or other recipes. These tender greens are delicious.

Thinning long rows of seedlings requires bending and working close to the ground. Thus, a kneeling pad or low bench can helpful for reducing discomfort.

1:15

Click Play to Learn How to Thin Vegetable Seedlings

Equipment / Tools

Kneeling pad or small bench (optional)
Garden scissors or snips (optional)
Flexible rake (optional)

Materials

Yard waste bag

items for thinning out vegetable seedlings — The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

Determine the Spacing

Seed packets will usually provide appropriate guidelines for seed sowing depth and spacing. In general, plants should be spaced based on their mature size plus a few inches. Here are spacing recommendations for a few commonly grown vegetables:
- Beets: 3 to 6 inches
- Carrots: 2 to 3 inches
- Head lettuce: 18 to 24 inches
- Leaf lettuce: 4 to 8 inches
- Onions: 3 to 5 inches
- Parsnips: 3 to 6 inches
- Radishes: 2 to 3 inches
- Rutabagas: 8 inches
- Spinach: 2 to 6 inches
- Turnips: 2 to 4 inches
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Remove Unwanted Seedlings

Seedlings can be easily plucked with your fingers simply by gripping them between your thumb and forefinger and giving a gentle tug. Toss them in a yard waste bag or compost pile. This method of removing seedlings is easiest to do when the soil is moist and pliable.

Some root vegetables can be sensitive to thinning because disturbing the young roots can cause deformities. Also, transplanting long-rooted vegetables, such as carrots and turnips, can cause them to fork. So, to thin root vegetables, carefully remove one seedling at a time, either by gently pulling it from the ground or cutting it at ground level. That way, you shouldn't disrupt the remaining plants.

If plucking the seedlings has disturbed the soil, you can gently press it back down around the remaining seedlings with your fingers.

Tip

The number of seedlings you take out—and the spacing you allow for the remaining seedlings—will depend on whether you want your vegetables to grow to full size or if you prefer to eat them early. For example, if you like to harvest tiny carrots, leave the seedlings tightly spaced. But if you prefer large carrots at the end of the season, the spacing should be much farther apart according to the directions on the seed packet.

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Thin by Rake (Optional)

If you are growing vegetable seedlings in blocks rather than rows, you can run a flexible rake through the seedlings to thin them out. However, the seedlings won't be perfectly spaced. Raking will free up more space for remaining seedlings to grow and it is much faster than plucking or cutting seedlings by hand.

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Water the Survivors

Thinning can disturb the soil, so it's best to lightly mist the remaining seedlings to rejuvenate the plants after thinning.

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

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Article Sources

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