Tomato transplanting from very close proximity to each other - Ask Extension
Hello,
I initially planted two seeds for each tomato plant within the same container early this spring.
I did not separate the seedlings (2 in each ...
Knowledgebase
Tomato transplanting from very close proximity to each other #876544
Asked July 09, 2024, 4:52 PM EDT
Hello,
I initially planted two seeds for each tomato plant within the same container early this spring.
I did not separate the seedlings (2 in each seeding container). I've planted the tomatoes outside and they are now
quite large (approximately 3 feet tall). I'm wanting to know if I can still split them out so that there will be one
tomato per planting instead of 2 tomato plants right next to each other (bases are literally within 1/2 inch of each other). What would you recommend?
Another option may be to cut one of the two off so that there is only 1 plant yet then there would be the big root
mass still blocking the other plant.
Thank you,
Too Close Tomato
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The other option would be to just let them grow. Provide support with stakes. If you feel you must remove one, cut it off at ground level. Do not try to separate the roots after this amount of time. Next year, if you want to try two seeds in a cell, place one on either side away from each other. That way once they are up, you can remove the least healthy looking one without disturbing the roots of the other.