THINNING OUT SEEDLINGS

Where seed is initially sown thickly, usually because it is so fine, the seeds need to be 'thinned out' once they have established themselves and grown into seedlings.

'Thinning out' is the process of removing some established seedlings in your vegetable bed to make room for the remaining ones. This will assist the remaining plants to grow successfully because they will not have to compete for room and sunlight.

NOTE: Removed seedlings will need to be re-planted / transplanted a.s.a.p. to reduce the impact of shock on the plant. Re-planted seedlings may take four weeks to re-establish themselves in their new environment.

Removed seedlings can be;

•  transplanted somewhere else if you have the room;
• taken home by students - BYO pot with soil to school on the thinning out day or;
• sold at a School plant stall by your PTFA. 

HOW TO THIN OUT...

1.  Make sure the soil is moist, this will allow for easier removal.

 Water the vegetable bed one hour prior to commencing your thinning out process.

2.  Make a plan of which seedlings you are going to remove, based on the Vegetable Variety Thinning / Replanting Instructions below.

This is a good practical Math's Class activity as students may need to measure the plants height to establish the correct time to commence thinning and the re-planting distances for transplanting.

3. Ease the selected plants out of the vegetable bed soil, as gently as possible using either a kitchen fork or small gardening trowel.

NOTE: Try not to disturb the roots of the seedlings that are remaining in the vegetable bed.

4.  Once the thinning out process has been completed it is extremely important that you water the area well but remember to BE GENTLE!

A thorough, gentle watering will help the seedlings remaining in the bed to re-establish good soil contact.

VEGETABLE VARIETY THINNING / REPLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

CARROTS:

1. Thin out to approx. 5cm apart once the plant is about 5cm tall.

2. Thin out to approx. 10cm apart once the plant is 10 - 15cms tall.

The baby carrots you harvest during this thinning can be consumed.

BEETROOT:

1. Thin out and transplant to approx. 7 - 10cm apart once the plant is 3 - 5 cms tall.

This is a good candidate for transplanting.

Use a pencil to make the new hole and ensure that the roots go straight down.

RADISH:

1. Thin out and transplant to approx. 8cms apart once the plant has 2 or 3 sets of leaves.

This is a good candidate for transplanting.

Use a pencil to make the new hole and ensure that the roots go stright down.

PAK CHOY:

1. Thin out and transplant to approx. 10 - 15cms apart once 3 or 4 leaves have formed.

LETTUCE:

1. Thin out and transplant to 20 - 30cms apart once 3 to 5 leaves have formed.

Remember to gently water in well any transplanted seedlings.

Happy Thinning...!