Why do you plant 3 seeds?

There are a few key reasons why experienced gardeners recommend planting 3 seeds instead of just 1 or 2 when starting seeds indoors or directly outdoors in the garden. Planting extra seeds helps ensure proper germination, provides backup in case some seeds fail to sprout, and allows you to thin out the best seedlings later on. Keep reading to learn more about why planting 3 seeds per cell or hole is standard practice among avid gardeners.

Improves Germination Rates

One of the main reasons to sow 3 seeds is that it helps maximize your chances of getting at least one good sprout from each cell or hole. With fresh seeds purchased for the current year’s growing season, you can expect a germination rate around 80-90% under proper conditions. However, germination rates naturally drop as seeds get older. Certain types of seeds also simply have lower viability rates, even when perfectly stored.

Planting an extra seed or two compensates for the risk of a seed not germinating due to age or variety. It also protects against issues like planting too deeply, insufficient watering, soil nutrient deficiencies, temperature extremes or disease impacting germination. No gardener is perfect, so adding a couple extra seeds builds in a margin of error if any mistakes are made after planting that could inhibit the seeds from sprouting.

Provides Backups

In addition to boosting overall germination rates, planting multiple seeds gives you important backups. Sometimes all the seeds in a cell or hole will sprout initially, but then seedlings are lost later on to various hazards before becoming established plants. Young sprouts are tender and fragile, so they can easily be knocked loose by animals, damaged by insects, infected with fungus, burned by hot sun due to evaporation through plastic covers, harmed by wind or heavy rain or otherwise destroyed.

Having multiple seedlings increases the chances that at least one will survive and continue growing. For instance, if slugs munch one sprout, you still have two others that may avoid that fate. If damping off disease strikes a cell and kills one seedling, the other two can potentially resist the infection. Planting extras provides insurance against germination success not leading to a productive plant.

Allows Selection of the Best

When more than one seed germinates in a given cell or hole, it allows you to choose to keep the best-looking seedling and remove extras through thinning. Some seeds may sprout more quickly and robustly right from the start. Retaining only the fastest emerging and healthiest seedlings helps avoid spending time and resources caring for weaker ones unlikely to thrive.

Crowded conditions can also cause seedlings to stretch and become spindly as they compete for light and nutrients. Thinning to one strong seedling per cell or hole optimizes growing conditions. The healthiest plant with the best established root system has the highest chance of flourishing into a productive vegetable, herb or flower. Starting with multiples allows you to control the outcome.

Tips for Planting 3 Seeds

Follow these tips when sowing 3 seeds per cell or hole to maximize the benefits while avoiding overcrowding:

– Use a good quality potting mix in seed starting trays or flats providing at least 1-2 inches of soil depth for roots.

– Water well after sowing seeds and maintain consistent moisture. Err on the side of too wet versus too dry.

– Cover trays or flats with plastic domes or plastic wrap to retain humidity during germination. Remove any covers once sprouts emerge.

– Prepare garden beds with compost-enriched soil and full sun exposure. Rake beds smooth and water thoroughly before direct sowing.

– Choose quick-germinating seeds with high viability rates. Old or expired seeds are more likely to benefit from thick planting.

– Sow extra seeds for vulnerable sprouts like corn, cucumbers, melons and squash planted directly in gardens. The insurance is useful.

– If you end up with 4+ seedlings, gently pull out the weakest looking ones with small roots to get back down to the best 3 per cell or hole.

– Thin seedlings under crowded conditions to retain only the healthiest plant per cell or hole when the first true leaves appear.

When to Thin vs. Keep Extras

Deciding whether to thin down to one plant or keep extra seedlings depends on the vegetable, herb or flower variety and your growing goals:

– Bushy annuals and perennials like marigolds, zinnias, tomatoes and peppers usually get thinned to 1 robust plant per cell. Crowding compromises form.

– Vining plants like pole beans, cucumbers, melons and squash are sometimes grown 2-3 plants per large pot or hill for adequate pollination.

– Carrots and beets may be grown 2-3 plants per cell to minimize root disturbance at transplanting. Handle carefully later.

– Onions and leeks intended for large bulbs should always be thinned to just 1 plant per cell to maximize size.

– Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and kale can be grown a few plants per cell or inches apart in rows for baby greens harvesting.

In general, if the goal is to produce full size vegetables or flowers, retain just the single strongest seedling. But allowing multiples or close spacing works for leaf harvests, vines needing pollination partners or minimizing root damage at transplanting.

Recommended Seed Quantities

Here are suggested quantities of seeds to plant per cell or planting hole:

Vegetable, Herb or Flower Variety Recommended Number of Seeds
Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower 3 seeds
Carrots, Beets, Radishes 6-9 seeds
Cucumbers, Cantaloupe, Squash 2-3 seeds
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale 3-6 seeds
Onions, Leeks 4-6 seeds
Peppers, Eggplant 2-3 seeds
Tomatoes 2-3 seeds
Herbs (cilantro, parsley, etc.) 4-6 seeds
Flowers (marigolds, zinnias, etc.) 2-3 seeds

Adjust quantities based on cell or hole size, seed freshness and your past experience with germination rates. For aging seeds or varieties prone to spotty sprouting, use the higher numbers listed. Go with the lower amounts for fresh seeds of reliable varieties.

Thinning Seedlings Step-By-Step

Here is a simple step-by-step process for thinning excess seedlings:

1. Wait until sprouts have at least two sets of true leaves. Thinning too early can disturb delicate young roots.

2. Water the tray or bed well before thinning to soften the soil and minimize root damage.

3. Decide which seedling in each cell or hole is the strongest. Use size, leaf color, growth rate and root establishment as criteria.

4. Gently pull out the weaker looking seedlings by gripping low on the stem near the soil line. Avoid yanking sprouts straight up.

5. Take care to minimize disturbance of the remaining seedling’s roots when removing extras. Some root damage is inevitable so be gentle.

6. Space the solo remaining seedlings appropriately for the variety by moving cells/pots or by reworking soil.

7. Water again after thinning to help the kept seedlings recover from any root disturbances.

8. Monitor for several days after thinning and address any wilting or setbacks to keep the chosen plant thriving.

Thin methodically and patiently to retain the very best seedling with the least root disruption possible.

Troubleshooting Germination Issues

If you plant 3 seeds but get weak, spotty or no germination, here are some potential causes and solutions:

– Old seeds past prime viability – Switch to freshly purchased seed packets each year.

– Improper planting depth – Consult seed packet or guides and adjust sowing depth.

– Insufficient moisture – Keep cells and soil consistently damp until sprouts emerge.

– Soil temperature too cold – Use a heating mat or warmer location until sprouts appear.

– Soil temperature too hot – Move to cooler spot or use shade covers if too hot.

– Nutrient deficiency – Mix in balanced fertilizer to soil at time of planting.

– Diseases like damping off – Reduce watering frequency, increase air circulation and heat.

– Pests like slugs or insects – Remove by hand or use organic remedies if possible. Prevent with row covers.

Don’t hesitate to re-seed if no or poor germination occurs. Just ensure you correct any environmental issues first.

The Benefits Outweigh the Hassle

While thinning seedlings does add some extra work, the benefits of planting 3 seeds per cell or hole typically far outweigh a little extra effort. Taking the time to sow extras, then select and thin to retain only the best, healthiest seedlings, results in optimal plant performance. The highest quality vegetables, herbs and flowers start with vigor right from the beginning.

So embrace the standard practice of planting 3 seeds and be willing to thin later. Your patience will pay off all season long with greater success raising robust gardens, containers, and beds full of your favorite flowers and edibles. Just follow sound thinning practices to avoid harming the keepers while removing unwanted sprouts. With this simple process, you can maximize germination rates, build in backups, and control spacing and quality.

Conclusion

Starting seeds with 3 per cell or hole may seem excessive, but experienced gardeners swear by this method. The extra seeds improve the chances that at least one will sprout and thrive in each spot. It provides insurance against seed viability issues, environmental hazards and gardener errors that can lead to weak or no germination. Having multiple seedlings also allows you to thin and keep only the best plant. While not foolproof, giving seeds redundant companions boosts the rate of growing success. So place your starting bets on 3 seeds and hedge against the risks of singles or pairs alone. Just be prepared to do some judicious thinning for optimal results down the road.

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