Question
I've grown a number of tomato seedlings using Jiffy-7 peat pellets, and now it is time to transplant them.  I followed the seeding directions, so I've got at least two strong seedlings in each of the little peat nodes. I've read several places that, when I transplant them, I'm supposed to pinch off whichever of the plants looks least promising, but that makes me sad, since they all look pretty good.  Do I really have to kill one of the seedlings in each peat pot?  Can't they grow together?

Answer
Unfortunately you cannot grow both together. Tomatoes need to be planted 2 feet apart. Any closer, and the plants begin to compete for nutrients. They also will crowd each other, causing a lack of air circulation and smaller fruit.

If you want to save the weaker plant, you can carefully remove it from the peat pot, but be careful not to tear the roots. I always remove seedlings with the aid of a sharp pencil. Stick the pencil in the soil and grab the plant with your index finger and thumb at the base of the stem. Slowly lift the plant with the pencil while pulling gently. You can then transplant the seedling into another peat pot. You should wait a couple of weeks to transplant that seedling outdoors to give it a chance to reestablish its root system.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike