Reason(s) for sowing seeds that will only be thinned later?

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Bradford5 Knoxville, TN Apr 04, 2011

I'm curious to understand the reason(s) for sowing more seeds than will be allowed to fully grow? So many seed packets suggest doing this, so there must be some benefit to it, but as a beginning gardener, I just love to see sprouted seeds and hate to keep any of them from the chance to grow fully. Anyone know why the thinning method is so commonly recommended?
Thanks so much!

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Lilyofthenight Victoria, TX(Zone 9a) May 05, 2011

Since no one has replied to this I will chime in..... Reason number one.... You thin them out according to growth, Only keep the best and strongest, discard the whimpy puny ones, other wise you will have your plants fighting for nutrients etc. Also some seeds don't germinate and others do. More often than not many that do are mere inches from each other or closer. Thinning them out assures that the ones that remain have the ability to reach their full potential and the room they need to do so. Hope this helped.
~~Peace~~

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timmijo Ellendale, DE(Zone 7a) May 06, 2011

If you simply cannot bear throwing out the ones that you thin from the main group, dig up a little bedding area in your yard just for the discards and plant them there.

Or fill an outdoor planter with potting soil and put your cullings in that. That way, you will have saved the small survivors from the main flower bed (that you thinned) and you can enjoy the runts that are growing in their own special spot.

I speak from experience: I can't bear to throw out perfectly healthy flower seedlings, either ....

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pirl (Arlene) Southold, NY(Zone 7a) May 06, 2011

Same here.

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Lilyofthenight Victoria, TX(Zone 9a) May 07, 2011

Good idea .. that never crossed my mind...........

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ZSThomp (Zone 10a) May 17, 2011

Also,

I'm having an insect problem, rooster and hen problem and almost every other day I lose a seedling to a careless animal. It's inevitable. I plant tons of seeds so that I can afford to lose some to cats, hens, heavy footed dogs, or insects. I also hate to physically pull up extra seedlings. Sometimes if I feel like being careful, I will dig out carefully the extra seedling and put it another area of the garden.

Z

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