Socially Distancing Apple Trees
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My son wanted me to plant apple pips so I did before Christmas. Probably was even though it was inside when it was very cold it died. I panicked and threw too many in now have a dozen growing close together I think they need separating but don't know how to do it without killing them 
It's called pricking out. Just gently loosen the earth until you can slide the whole clump out on to a surface. Pull gently apart at root and replant into individual pots making sure you use the right compost suitable for apple trees.
I am not a gardening expert but have done this for many years with tomato plants. Maybe others have advice too.
Yes that's the way to do it . Looks like you have about a dozen there . I would empty the whole pot out on a newspaper or similar then gently tease them all apart but try to handle by the leafs and avoid touching the stems . Then plant into individual pots using compost or better still a mixture of compost and sand .
If you have any "Siamese Twins " (2 shoots coming from 1 pip) plant on like that for now , you can split them with a sharp knife in a month or two when they are a bit stronger .
Then plant into larger pots as they grow and get rootbound and into the garden when they get sturdy enough . Finally look forward to a nice crop of apples in September ........................................................... 2036 ish !
Golfforall he is getting a bigger tree off grandad for his birthday soon but he wants to grow one and I think it's a good life lesson
Imnotcheap That's great . Give them plenty of light (but not too much direct sunshine on the window sill ) , keep the compost damp - not dry or waterlogged and you'll have an orchard in time . One up on me I've never managed to grow an apple tree from a pip 
, I haven't got the patience .
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For a slightly faster return , try it with a strawberry (English grown ) , chop the strawberry into pieces (as the seeds are on the outside ) and plant the pieces into pots . You'll have plants this year and fruit next year . You can do the same with tomatoes but make sure they are English , most of our supermarket tomatoes are hybrids (grown in plastic tunnels in Spain ) and don't perform well in our climate .
Golfforall please creat a chat about plants I bought some pots but ain’t got a clue where to start you and Lynibis sound like you know what your doing
Agree with the pricking out advice, just be nice and gentle! Lovely to get your son interested in gardening 
GmcK85 I've tried carrots in the past with my daughter but he has a thing about growing apple trees
This reminds me of buying a reduced magnolia tree with my grandson a few years ago. I told him it was his tree and would hopefully grow alongside him. First year nothing , second year two blooms and today I have gone into the garden for first time in ages and there are dozens of buds on it.
It is the centre piece of my fairy garden, which is still a work in progress JoTarpley although I now have quite a little village going on.
Hopefully can spend some time on it over Easter weekend.
I love hearing stories like this. Lovely memories and stories for you and your grandson to share ♥
Lynibis hope my baby orchard turns out as well (tbh I only wanted to grow 1 ) he is very happy though
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