How do I separate seedlings?

Dc Covino
by Dc Covino

I started some summer squash and cucumber seeds and now there are a large group of seedlings sprouted and ready to separate. I am not sure how to do that and how many to save to each pot. Also how to keep them from falling over as they grow.

  4 answers
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Nov 12, 2018

    Both of these grow somewhat as ground cover. Cucumbers can be grown on a trellis or from a hanging basket. You could use a spoon to scoop each seedling from where you started them and place into other containers. Depending on the size of the new container you could plant 3-4 cucumbers in the same pot. Vines don't mine being together. The squash would do better with 1or 2 in a pot. Never seen them staked before but you might try a tomato cage or a stake for each plant with something soft to tie them up. Many people use old hose. Don't tie too tight. The weight of the squash will naturally pull the plant downward.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Nov 12, 2018

    I think Deanna has it covered! ☺️

  • 2-3 seedlings are good, but if you want to pull some out, just do it gently so as not to rip it all out.

    • Lisa Sinclair Lisa Sinclair on Nov 13, 2018

      Moustache scissors! We use them to cut the extra seedlings, to thin them out. That way you don't disturb the delicate roots of your baby plants, you want to keep..Good luck!

  • I've got a video about thinning out seedlings, here: https://thekitchengarten.com/how-to-thin-seedlings/