Gardening - Q&A: Thinning Seedlings

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Q&A: Thinning Seedlings

National Gardening Association

Question: What is the proper time to begin thinning seedlings? What is the best way to go about this? Clipping at soil level? If your answer includes something about two *true* leaves, what does that mean? I see leaves, but they are the first ones to appear sodoes that mean these are not the first true leaves? Should I wait before thinning the seedlings? Thanks for your patience. Sara McDonald Atlanta, GA

Answer: The "true leaves" are generally the second set of leaves that a new plant produces and look like the adult leaves. After the second set of leaves are produced is the time to start thinning. You can usually identify a plant by it's second set of leaves. This helps you to distinguish between the weeds and what you have planted. Clipping at ground level is the preferred way to thin.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association