SOS help needed, vegatable garden using seed and grow trays

[FERT-TEK]

Not sure where to post this so it seemed to fit here

Hello, recently my wife started a tomato garden project with my 4 y/o daughter using Burpee seeds and growing trays. My problem is that she planted too many seeds in each receptacle 5-8 in each. Can anyone advise me on how to proceed? Should I pick out all but one or two per receptacle and throw them out, or transplant the extra plants to empty receptacles or finally let them grow as they are? The last option would be Darwinism at its best, only the strong survive.

Probably a simple answer but vegetable gardens aren't my thing.

[Smallaxe]

If you pull the seedlings from the soil you will disturb the roots of the remaining plants. Simply cut off the tops of the unwanted sprouts.
Keep the best looking sprout closest to the center.

Its not survival of the fittest, but survival of the luckiest. The ones on the edge will die. :)

[FERT-TEK]

They have been growing for about 10-14 days and are about 2 inches long. How many should I leave per receptacle.

[Prolawnservice]

and use scissors, are you using a light?

[Prolawnservice]

one plant per cell

[Smallaxe]

When you set them out in the garden - dig a deep hole fill will composted material and bury them up to the neck.

Prolawn is correct. IMO.

[FERT-TEK]

got it, thanks guys

FYI, no grow light just a plastic dome over it near a window.

[Smallaxe]

To cut back on legginess, have it cooler during the bright sun hours and warmer during the dark hours. Have fun. :)

[FERT-TEK]

To cut back on legginess, have it cooler during the bright sun hours and warmer during the dark hours. Have fun. :)

Do you mean to place it in the garage, which is not heated but generally stays above freezing or remove from direct sunlight?

[Smallaxe]

Do you mean to place it in the garage, which is not heated but generally stays above freezing or remove from direct sunlight?

The more direct sunlight the better. Photosynthesis in cooler weather makes for a stronger less leggy plant.
I have heard that a soil warmer under the flat help prevent leggy growth as well, but I have never found it necessary to get one.

Warm temperatures at night allows the plant to do other functions, not related to stemmy growth.

I put mine outside for direct sunlight in the daytime, definately cooler. And bring them back into the house at night.

Why do you have a plastic cover over them?

[Yard]

They have been growing for about 10-14 days and are about 2 inches long. How many should I leave per receptacle.

I usually plant 3-5 seeds per cell with my tomatoes. When the seedlings are a few inches high you can separate them into their own cells or larger containers. I wouldn't be too worried about damaging the roots, tomatoes are usually pretty resilient. You can pop the seedlings out of their cell along with the soil using a spoon then gently pull the plants apart and replant them. Try not to squeeze the stems too much. Even if you loose some you'll still have more than If you were to just thin them out. Sometimes I don't get around to separating them until I plant them in the garden, which I don't recommend. They still grow fine, but they seem to take a little longer to bounce back from the transplant shock. When you do start putting them outside be careful of sun scald. Start with a little time outside then increase it over 4-5 days. Like smallaxe said when you transplant them in the garden use compost and bury them to the first leaves, tomatoes can sprout roots all along their stems.
Great project to do with your 4 year old. Have fun and good luck.