Q.How Do I Thin My Squash Plants?
The squash and zucchini plants in my raised bed seem to be too crowded and overwhelming each other (and the carrots). How do I thin these out without damaging them and maintaining quality production vs quantity? I did not trellis this year and am regretting it!
Uproot some of the weaker plants with their vines and leave the strongest ones. Next year, thin when they are still seedlings. I know, thinning is one of the hardest things for a gardener to do, but you're doing your plants no favors if you don't. By thinning early, you allow the one's left to grow into stronger, healthier plants. The one's thinned out leave air pockets for more light and water to penetrate the soil and help the others in that way. Just water well when you are done thinning, the others should do just fine.
