I HATE KILLING SEEDLINGS
This is one way that I avoid it.
When we garden, the goal is to get seeds to turn into plants. Unfortunately, not every seeds will germinate, so you often need more seeds than the number of plants that you want to grow.
TRYING NOT TO WASTE THE SEEDLINGS!
Many times people will plant several seeds in one cell. Then, once the seedlings sprout, the extra ones are frequently killed. Whenever possible, I like to germinate my seeds first in a moist paper towel, as illustrated in the photo above. Then, once the seedlings begin to sprout, I plant the good ones in the soil.
With very tiny seeds, this is not always possible. Recently I received some Tobacco seeds from @shalomacres. It's not that I smoke cigarettes, but rather that these plants help repel garden pests. Because tobacco seeds are so tiny, I ended up planting multiple seeds in each cell, leading to multiple seedlings.
I decided to attempt to try to replant the extra seedlings. This doesn't always work, but if the "extra" seedlings are going to die anyway, I think it is worth the risk.
Thankfully the seedlings do not have deep roots yet, and they lifted easily from the soil. Depending on the species of plant, this does not always work. Thankfully, it seems easy with these tobacco seedlings.
With these new planting cells filled with loose, moist soil, I easily replanted the lifted seedlings. I left one seedling in each original cell and then filled in as many new planting cells as possible. It's not that I don't have extra seeds, it's just that these are already growing and I don't want to kill them.
Now, I've got lots more tobacco seedlings each growing in their own cells. They will not longer have to compete for light or nutrients, and can each now become well established for eventual planting in the garden. So far, after a few days, they still seem to be doing well. Have any of you ever tried this?
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-replanting-seedlings
I feel you 100% haha! I have the hardest time culling seedlings. I did the exact same thing with my tobacco this year! They seperated so easily and this is them last week. Every one survived!
Very cool! Interesting how we can find others doing the exact same thing! Great job!
Thank you @papa-pepper! I admire your growing skills:)
@papa-pepper i do the same with large seeds had a real problem with squash/pumpkin seeds not germinating in soil and the paper towel was easier to see which ones went bad, also do the same for thinning out/transplating seedlings hate to see them go to waste - found a pencil was good for breaking up the soil and lifting them out 👍
Oh yeah! I've used pencils too!
“A righteous man takes care of his animal, but the wicked? Even his compassion is cruel. He who farms his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows futilities has no sense.”
Mishlei (Proverbs) 12:10-11 CJB
I'd say you are living these verses :)
Thanks much @thefarmerswife! I hope that you and yours continue to be blessed!
I often do that. One year I had all my basil plants survive from my seedling transplants. I ended up with over twenty basil bushes around my garden. A little overkill, but I hate letting seedlings die too :)
At least basil can keep the tomatoes company!
I am exactly the same way; I had never considered germinating in paper towels though, I like it!
As you said, trying to transplant overcrowded seedlings doesn't always work, but it's true that certain death is the alternative so I'm like you, I gotta always at least try :D
This has been @holsturr, thank you for reading!
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Glad that you agree. The paper towel method works great for many kinds of seeds. I even start my peppers that way.
When I thin seedlings, if they are something the chickens can eat, I send them up to the barn. The rest I compost.
I start as many seedlings as I need. I just don't have room, either under lights or in the gardens for all the extras. I used to hate killing them, but I figure, they make the hens happy...
At least you still put them to good use! Way to go!
I loved the technique that you use the seed on the paper napkin, no doubt for large seeds is a very good alternative.
congratulations for the great job you are developing in your field. dear friend @ papa-pepper
A big affection for all your loved ones.
Yeah, it helps to make sure that no "dead" seeds are taking up valuable soil space. Thanks @jlufer!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, very nice what you do
Thank you for checking it out!
wow! This is wonderful, the ways and techniques used to ensure the survival of these tobacco seedlings. Thanks for educating me, At least I can now grow and transplant on my own with the description. Thanks for the nice post @papa-pepper
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the post!
I think it’s heart-breaking to kill seedlings. That’s how ended up with 15 tomato plants last year. Fortunately, a few were afopted by some friends of mine :0)
Lol, I did the same thing last year. We ended up with about the same number of plants, forced a couple friends to adopt them and we kept 3. (We live in a tiny apartment with no yard).
SAVE THE SEEDLINGS
I never though of it before, but maybe I can donate my leftover seedlings to a garden center nearby.
If I would be physically fit, I could set up a stand at the market and give them away, or ask for a symbolic euro.
It’s something I want to achieve some day: having my own little ‘shop’ or market stand where I can introduce people to unknown veggies.
That is an awesome idea, even without the symbolic Euro to introduce people to unknown veggies!
Me too. I'm not sure why, probably because they are so young. It's hard to just kill a plant that just got started.
Especially when they just had such a hard time breaking out of the seed and digging through the dirt to finally see some light..
I’m going to have the exact same problem again this year. More seeds have sprouted than I had expected, so i’m going to have tons of tomatoes, sweet peppers, crystal lemon cucumbers, crosne and so on.
I think I’d better my myself a bigger house with a bigger garden ;0)