They're growing! Now what? Help for a newbie!

[Adallae]

As someone who was once known for regularly killing everything green - including bamboo - I am super stoked that my thyme and parsley seeds are growing . They're in peat pots. There are 1 or 2 parsley seedlings per pot, but the thyme grew like crazy (and I used too many seeds...). I guess they're supposed to be thinned, but I don't know where, when, or how. They're only about an inch or so high, two little leaves on each, and some of the pots have, I don't know, 10 seedlings in them (don't laugh, I was expecting 0!). Other than smiling proudly at them, and frowning at my cat every time he goes near them - what do I need to do to be sure they stay healthy and keep growing?

[FarmerCathy]

Hi Adallae,

It does take practice, I think we've all been through the killing stage at least once. You just have to find what works best for you. There is a seed starting thread in the Resources link on the top of the DITE forum. There is a lot of great info in there.

You want to wait to thin until your seedlings get there second set of leaves (or true leaves) before you start thinning. When you thin you don't want to keep the biggest or smallest seedlings, leave your average sized growing seedlings compared to the others. The smaller ones my be weaker and the larger ones will more easily get spindly. Pet your seedlings daily or use an oscillating fan on them for 20 minutes a day to strengthen them so they won't go spindly. If its warm enough outside you can put them in the breeze for a little while too, in the shade, but only if you know you will remember them, maybe use a timer. They love worm juice once a week as well if you have worms. You can also get some worm castings and soak them in water and use the water to feed them with once a week. Water your seedlings when the dirt is dry on top, otherwise they might start getting moldy.

Just have fun with it. There is always next year to start seedlings. This is my third year trying to grow Peter Peppers. Third times the charm right?

[Adallae]

Thank you! I'll check out that thread.

I had mold problems already, I tend to overwater, but I managed to clean it up and back away from the water can. I just started some more seeds in a 'self-watering' seed start kit, so we'll see if that works better.

I'm having lots of fun with this - so glad I decided to try this new hobby.