4 by 4 Garden: Seeds all over the place

Question

Hello,

I recently started planting my vegetable gardens and everything is growing in beautifully. However, I noticed that my seeds spread to different squares so the corn in growing in the bell pepper square, and the lettuce is all over the place.

I am guessing that I have to wait until the plants get bigger and then I will have to start moving plants around. Am I correct or should I start trying to move the seedling around now. They are sooo small and I don’t want to damage…

Answer 1

Seeds can be dislodged by watering, rainfall, critters, and oops--even if we spill seed packets!

Tiny seedlings will not be moved easily or will likely survive. You can wait until they are at least 2 to 3 inches in height before moving. If the plants won't disturb each other as they mature, you can just leave your garden planted the way it is. Lettuce among the green peppers may not be an issue, since the lettuce will likely be harvested long before the Pepper plant gets large.
Corn is another story, the roots will take a strong hole and may harm the roots of other plants. Corn needs a lot of room and the small plants will not transplant. You may want to pull up the scattered corn seedlings and replant.

No matter how long I've been gardening, each year seems to be different and sometimes things can be frustrating in the garden! I just try to remind myself that any gardening is better then no gardening!

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/plant-spacing-chart.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/corn/grow-sweet-corn.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners.htm