Thinning+Seedlings

Planting multiple seeds ensure germination of at least one individual, but too many plants in a small space will get in each other’s way. If you have the space, multiple seedlings can be separated and transplanted instead of thinned. If you don’t have a lot of room it is recommended that one seedling be selected. By removing competition for light, nutrients, water, and space you make a better growing environment for the chosen seedling. You’ll want to do this around the time you start thinking about transplanting.

Select the plant from each cell that is shortest, straightest, and healthiest in appearance. Remove all other seedlings by snipping them off at the base with a pair of scissors or pinch them off using the nails of your index finger and thumb. You now have a pile of organic matter that is ready for composting! This can be fed to the worms in a vermiculture bin or put into an outdoor composter.

Thinning provides an opportunity to discuss the life cycle, death, and decomposition with questions such as: Why did the plants have to be thinned? Why was the healthiest one picked and the others removed? Are the non-deceased plants still contributing to the life cycle? In what way?
 * Journal Prompts**

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