Soil blocking isn't new, but it is making a comeback recently with Eliot Coleman making wide use of this in his operation in Maine. The benefits include:
• less space per plant when starting (nurseries can make tons of these and use less space to do so)
• no pot to compost (roots can get to work right away)
• roots aren't disturbed when transplanting
• reduced cost long term (for nurseries who must use pots in mass)
I'm sure you're wondering about the roots at this point. When they grow to the edge of the block, they stop because of the air. When they're planted in the ground, they resume growth.
Here's a video clip to show you these being made in action.
Nice. However, I'm finding that a "recipe" for the soil is necessary for these blocks to hold together well, especially when watering. Or so they say. I'm going to be experimenting with different soils and seed starter to see for myself, but so far, I've had to special order several soil amendments such as blood meal, colloidal (rock) phosphate, and green sand. And since I live where the soil is alkaline, I had to hunt down some lime. (If you live where soils are acidic, every nursery probably carries lime). So much for self-sufficiency. But perhaps I can make something work. I'm trying not to be discouraged here. The concept is great, but the soil is the issue.
And might I mention these are not cheap? My purpose for investing in one was so that I could start seedlings for plants to resell. But if you're interested in a homemade model, there are some plans out on the world wide web. Just google homemade soil blockers and you'll get some hits.
Have you used soil blockers? Please share your experience and any soils you found that work well with these! I'd love a simpler solution!
And might I mention these are not cheap? My purpose for investing in one was so that I could start seedlings for plants to resell. But if you're interested in a homemade model, there are some plans out on the world wide web. Just google homemade soil blockers and you'll get some hits.
Have you used soil blockers? Please share your experience and any soils you found that work well with these! I'd love a simpler solution!
This post is linked to Farm Girl Friday and Farm Friend Friday.
That is so interesting about the roots stopping at the soil's edge due to the air. Nature never ceases to amaze me...
ReplyDeleteI've not used a soil blocker...and honestly, have yet to start my garden from seed due to lack of space! Still praying for tha piece of property...with a greenhouse! lol
I have been using soil blocks for a couple of seasons now, and I am absolutely sold on them. I even bought an extra one - just to have on hand.
ReplyDeleteHere is a series of photos of soil blocks being made - Starting Seeds .
I use the 2" blocks and have found them to be just fine for everything that I need. When they outgrow the 2" blocks but still need more time before transplanting outside, I put them into small pots rather than the larger soil blocks.
One thing I have found that is more a factor of growing under strong artificial light than just the soil blocks is that I get much thicker and stronger plants. I keep them under light for 18 hours a day, and the bulbs are as close together as I can get them. Since the seedlings don't have to stretch up to get light, they spend their resources toward building a thicker, stronger plant rather than a taller, more spindly plant.
For the soil mixture, I have found that it is far more important to tightly compress the soil blocks than it is to get the "perfect" mixture. The mixture matters, of course, but it MUST be tightly compacted.
Instead of just pressing it down into the mixture and pressing them out, I then turn the blocker upside down and pack more of the mixture into the mold until it won't take any more. I even went so far as to cut wooden blocks to let me apply more pressure, but I ended up bending the tabs on the mold - not good. I'm working on a way to mechanically compress the blocks without stressing the mold, but I haven't come up with a good solution yet. The search continues.
I have found that watering the soil blocks is best done with a Fogg-it nozzle or some similar way to apply a very fine mist.
Bottom line - Soil blocks are a great way to start seeds.
Stephen Clay McGehee
SouthernAgrarian.com
I read a interesting post on this a while back - http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/2011/03/making-soil-blocks.html
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether Daphne uses all sorts of soil amendments, but she did say the amount of water was key...
Maybe some day I'll get a block maker :)
My husband ordered this tool last week:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.soilcube.com/soilcubetool.html
They have a recipe that looks like easy to find stuff. I will let you know what works for us, after ours arrives!
I've seen these before, but never investigated. I have been using peat pots, but of course have to buy new ones each year. I will definitely give this a closer look. Mr. McGehee also had some great info to add on. Thanks for blogging on this intersting item. p.s. when I first saw the title for this, I thought you were writing about "laundry stuff"....
ReplyDeleteMy daughter-in-law uses soil blocks and has great success with them. She's able to start seeds of many varieties in the basement (with an artificial light system and constant, controlled watering using capillary mats) long before the last frost. Last year, she shared with me one of her lovely tomatillo plants started from seed. I ordered the mini block converter for her this past Christmas and she was so excited!
ReplyDeleteWe started using soil blockers this year. We've been reading Eliot Coleman and ordered from Johnny's Seeds. We used Eliot's recipe. Fortunately for us there's a greenhouse supply store close where we can get the green sand and rock phosphate. Even though it sounds like a lot of trouble getting the soil mix right, it also adds great amendments to your garden when you plant the soil block plants. My transplants look really nice - better than any I've bought. By planting your own seeds you also have more of a variety than what you can buy.
ReplyDeleteI know some bloggers that use soil blockers. I want one!
ReplyDeleteI got one for my birthday just this year. I post on the Square Foot Garden forum which is where I first heard about these. I was delighted to get one. I do not garden under lights; I've no place to put them. I have just a small little green closet (also a birthday present) that I keep on the back deck. Every day that is over 48 degrees finds me running my tomatoes to the closet. I live in the PNW so I have to be careful about it getting too hot if the sun comes out from behind the clouds.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe that came with mine called for regular sand rather than green. And instead of killing products, I was directed to mix in an amount of organic fertilizer which includes killing products and rock phosphate etc.
The directions also said to use a mister to water the blocks with the claim that it incorporates more oxygen. Not sure If I buy into that but I do it anyway.
I follow the Devree's "Urban Homestead" blog. I learned there that I can use three containers of mix (which I keep in a tub in my garden area) to one tub of rainwater (though I am wondering which is worse, chlorine/fluoride from tap water or Japanese radiation from rain water).
Up till now I have started most my seeds right in the garden because of the space it takes to start them under light. This year I have been playing around with it to see what I can prestart since SFG is a rather precise practice. Enjoy yours!
I've heard of this and think it's fascinating, but I've never tried it. I hope you keep updating us on how it works.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm going to try and make one!
ReplyDelete