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seed packs say plant a certain amount apart then when bigger thin. Why can't you just plant to final distance?

I am planting a vegtable garden by seed. The packs recommend started a specified distance then when bigger thin to final distance. Does it really matter? Why can't I plant the seeds at the final recommended distance rather than having to dig them up and disturb thier roots?

Public Comments

1. I'm sure you could, it's probably just a suggestion to make effective use of your space; not all of the seeds will germinate.
2. Some fraction of the seeds won't germinate. If you plant only in the locations where you want the plants, you will end up with fewer plants than you want.
3. Generaly when the packet says to thin it's because the seed is tiny or fine and picking out each seed would take too long.
4. don't re-invent the wheel if the package says to do it - must be a reason like - conserves water conserves resources - like weeding and it will not harm your plants all the best
5. Not all of the seeds will sprout. If you plant and then thin you get a proper final spacing. If you plant at the final spacing and only half sprout, your spacing is too far apart and you then loose harvest. If you wait to thin as some of the plants sprout, you may have a good young crop of salad fixins.
6. They recommend overplanting because not all the seeds will come up. If you don't mind a few gaps in your rows, planting at the final recommended distance will save you a lot of time. Some things like carrots and radishes you can just pull the biggest ones and eat them leaving the smaller ones to eat later.
7. You should look into French-Intensive garden techniques and why they are used.
8. Yes you can plant to final specifications without the thinning process, however not all the seeds will germinate leaving bare open sections in the rows. I usually plant two to three seeds in each hole. That way I have a lot less to thin out. I just snip out the extra seedling with my sissors. This way one plant per area will have enough room to grow and sprout to size and not risk the chance of being crowded out or stunted. Air circulation is important too to keep the bugs at bay and never allow the seedlings to dry out.
9. There are no rules when it comes to seed planting. I too, do not like to kill the ones I do not want. Since it takes about a week for seeds to sprout anyway, you could just add more after you see your first results.
10. This is why I like raised beds..You can plant plants closer together than the packet suggests..the reason for alot of plants spacing is not only because of the size of the plant, but in the regular ground plants fight more against weeds , and to obtain the necessary nutrients from the soil...In a raised bed with good organic matter in it..the nutrients are more contained, and such as mine I have weed guard in it, so they also do not fight against the weeds for water and nutrients...The reason they suggest sowing seeds then seeding ..which a couple good answers here already..is that you do not have to thin out for a bit..and you can see which of the seedlings are growing better than others..and pull out the inferior plants that would waste space and not give a good harvest..heres a few pictures of my plants..i garden 12 months out of the year here ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470110665/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470111161/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470110379/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470931302/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470930464/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2470106543/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcbeachrat/2407665122/