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Organic Gardening

Thinning loose leaf lettuce, should I or not?

12 years ago

I planted Black seeded Simpson leaf lettuce in my garden and I apparently put down way to many seeds. Your supposed to thin the plants every 6 inchs minimum and I would have to remove about 3-4 pounds of leafs if I do that (just a guess). So what I want to know is should I thin or should I let them grow now? Also do they look ready to be thinned if I should? Thanks everyone

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Comments (3)

Randy_Lind
Original Author
12 years ago
Heres a close up of a plant
theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
12 years ago
Thin them now to a few inches apart. When they start growing close together again, thin them again to the final spacing you want. You can eat the thinnings.

Rodney
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User
12 years ago
It happens all the time.

Pinch out or cut off the smaller plants and use them in salads. You don't have to do it all at once. Start by removing the smallest plants to make them a couple of inches apart ... keep thinning as they grow until they are the recommended 4-6 inches apart.

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