Thin, Weed and Replant

Activity: Weeding and thinning seedlings in class garden beds

Goal: To have garden beds that are weed free and the plants we want to have room to grow.

Supplies: Optional gloves

How to Proceed:

1. First explain that weeding and thinning plants is a necessary gardening.

2. Knowing when and how to thin plants is important for their overall health and success. Why You Should be Thinning Seedlings? The practice of thinning plants is done to allow them plenty of growing room so that they can receive all the proper growth requirements (moisture, nutrients, light, etc.) without having to compete with other seedlings.

3. Show the students which plants are weeds and which are seedlings we want. Point out that your seedlings are either all in a row or in a designated spot where you planted them. If you are not sure then leave the plant until it grows more.

4. When you thin seedlings, you’re also helping to improve the air circulation around them.

Crowded plants limit air movement, which can lead to fungal diseases, especially if the foliage remains wet for extended periods.

5. Knowing when to thin seedlings is also important. If you do it too late, the over developed

roots may cause damage to the remaining seedlings during the thinning process.

6. Make certain the soil is reasonably damp beforehand, which simply makes it easier to pull the

plants out intact and with less damage—similar to weeding young sprouts. You can soak the area with water to soften the soil if it’s too dry but do not make it muddy.

7. Seedlings should have at least two pairs of true leaves.

8. Gently pull out the unwanted seedlings, leaving the healthiest in place.

9. Root crops are a bit more sensitive to thinning and should be pulled out with extra care or even

cut at the soil line.

10. Depending on the plants and their mature size, spacing may vary. While most people prefer a finger width between seedlings and on either side of them, I like to have less so that there are more plants to harvest in the winter for the students.

11. Plant more seeds in open spaces. Click HERE to see instructions on planting seeds