Swede seedlings worry

pclark42

As I am new to growing most vegetables I have a few questions, as with a previous discussion regarding thinning carrots, I have the same with my Swede, they are so small that even though I have a seed dispenser I must have allowed too many out, and now I have clumps of young seedlings, I did split one group up, but I don't like disturbing things too much, what would be the results if I just let them grow as they are.

GemmaJF

When you direct sow in the ground, thinning is very normal. We all sow a little thickly, some seeds won't germinate, some will be found by birds. It's perfectly OK to thin them out. If not you will end up with a row of very small stunted veg, disease may spread rapidly through them as well. It's kind of difficult as it seems like a waste, but really it's just part of the process.

BobTheGardener

They won't develop properly if two or more seedlings are right next to each other.  You can prick them out and separate them or just pull up the weakest in each bunch to leave just one (ie sacrifice the others.)  Doing the latter causes less root disturbance.  It always seems hard to do, but not thinning seedlings will lead to poor plants and so poor crops.

pclark42

Thanks guys, thinning out here we come