Both thinning and weeding are critical components in caring for your garden and ensuring your plants have the right amount of space to thrive.
Thinning
Gardeners frequently plant more seeds in our gardens than we have room to grow. Sometimes on purpose, because we want to make sure we have enough seeds germinate and sometimes, because it’s hard to imagine a huge plant growing from a tiny seed. As your plants grow, you will need to remove some plants that are too close to others so your plants can grow to their full potential. This is known as thinning.
You should thin the less viable plants and keep the ones that are the most vigorous and productive. The recommended spacing for thinning depends on the plant type and your harvesting goals. For instance, basil requires more space than radishes, so you’ll need to thin them out accordingly. Additionally, loose-leaf lettuce needs less thinning than head lettuce, as it doesn’t require as much space to grow before harvesting.
Remember, you can also eat the thinnings of many of the vegetable plants you are growing like microgreens.
Weeding
Regular weeding is crucial to reduce competition amongst plants for nutrients and water. Weeding helps your plants remain healthy and productive. Be cautious when weeding around young plants to avoid disturbing their roots. Proper spacing after thinning will make it easier to control weeds and allow your plants to thrive.
When weeding you can use a plant ID app to help identify what weeds are growing in your garden. Many weeds are edible or medicinal, so rather than tossing them in the compost, you might want to add them to your dinner or your next cup of tea.
