Thinning. It’s better done sooner rather than later. Later, it’s just too painful. See the two stems above, one of them has got to go or both plants will suffer. OUCH.
These, however, were easier. Beets. I did try to transplant the little baby beets, but it’s not going well. Note the two little purple leaves at the top and bottom to the left of the visible row. Pitiful. But I’m such a sucker for germination.
See? I didn’t snip. I transplanted. Can you tell which one was ripped out of the ground and stuffed in a new hole? I can’t. HA!
Ivory
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Hello, I have downloaded the fall garden planner….I started my Kale today…
indoors, no room in the garden at this time..when do you think these should be
transplanted to the garden outside? I thought maybe when the tomatoes are done…???????? We also started leaf lettuce, and some carroway…would you believe
I cannot find carroway seed for rye bread?????so Iam growing my own…And last
but not ever least…..the garlic….our frost date is scheduled for 10/5. On 10/5 that
is when I plant the bulbs for the garlic…..I don’t start them now do I inside….
Thank you for your gardening expertise….to this novice…..
Faith
I too have a hard time thinning. I know it has to be done so that plants don’t crowd themselves out, but I still struggle with it. ” Survival of the fittest” and all that, but I always worry that the plant I pull out might be the strongest and the one I leave is the weaker one destined to die anyway, leaving be with nothing.
They say that breaking up is hard to do…
Apologies to Niel Sedaka.
That Squash will do fine– just give it lots of water, a teaspoon of rooting hormone mixed into the soil before watering, and a dose of a heavy Phosphorus fertilizer– a heavy handful of Bonemeal and some “Ironite” will get it up and back in action.
Ironite, either liquid or granulated, is an Organic Gardener’s pal. Wonderful trace elements get your soil making all kinds of good things for your plants. Because it contains Calcium, it’s great for countering Blossom-End Rot on Tomatoes, Melons, Squashes and Cukes. Nearly instantaneous results.
–mf
what’s in the top pic?
I feel your pain! My “thinned” jicama looks just like the squash on the right. *sigh* Here’s hoping for a good comeback all around.
hmmm. i’m realizing i may need to do this thinning out as well.
Oh Ivory, I feel your pain. I hate thinning out – it always feels like murder.
I remember when my dad asked me to weed under some bushes of his. It was close to a maple tree – the kind with the propellers. My x and I ended up with 85 maple treelets that were recognizable with multiple leaves. We took them home and planted them in our back yard (it backed up to a wetlands). Neither of us could just throw them away!
For 5 years I have been trying to learn how to kill extra plants… its so hard. This year I did it! I planted 3 times the amount of seed I need. I then pretened I was a coach, I cut the weak players and kept my all stars. It is easier when I think of it this way. I always cut though. When I pull, the plant I leave suffers afterwards.
Good luck!
@Don–I snip when I can too. When they’re really tiny, I’m fine.
@Jillian–I had that many oak ones in my flower beds after I lasagna-ed them, not thinking that using my neighbors leaves and acorns would be a problem. Me dummy.
@Brown Thumb Mama–How did it go?
@s–Squash stems.
@Marjean–yep, it takes me forever to decide which one to cut.
@Monkeyfister–Awesome.
@Faith–You’re welcome!!!
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