Question about spacing vegetable seeds and thinning (insects, plant, animals)

[Artisan10]

I just bought a packet of carrot seeds. The instructions say to place the seeds ½” apart and then later thin them to 3” apart. Why not just plant them 3” apart to begin with?

[North Beach Person]

I have found that carrots are notoriously difficult to germinate. You heavy sow with the idea to get more sprouts which you will then thin out.

[Rtom45]

also, the seeds are tiny. Its easier to sprinkle them from the packet than to try and plant them individually. Once they germinate, you can pick out seedlings to give you the proper spacing. Don't give in to the temptation to leave all the seedlings in, you'll just end up with a bunch of stunted little carrots.

[harry chickpea]

Plant one for the weather, one for the animals, one for the insects, and one for yourself. When thinning, leave the stronger plants. Because of the miserable rocky and clay soil here, I try to plant carrots in a bed. Much less work, but the rabbits do most of the thinning.