Table of Contents
What’s soil blocking?
How do you block soil?
The History of Soil Blocking
Pros of Soil Blocking
- Can make seed starting Less expensive in the long run.
- You can plant more seeds in a small space. (you can fit almost 100 plants in one tray!)
- Provides you with a self-sustainable way to garden.
- Gives your plants great moisture from the beginning
- Provides ideal conditions right away for your seedlings
- Extremely efficient
- Helps you avoid transplant shock
- Prevents your plants to become root-bound
- You get a healthier root system
- Provides amazing air circulation between all your seedlings
Cons of Soil blocking
- Up-front costs can be expensive
- Might take some time to master
- Seeds starting may take longer if making your soil mix
- Soil blocks can be more fragile compared to using pots or seed-starting kits
- Soil blocks might dry out faster
- More attention may be needed to take care of soil blocks.
Soil Blocking Material & Supplies
Soil blocking trays
Growing trays
Cafeteria trays
DIY soil blocking trays
Recycled Meat Trays
Build Wood trays
Different Types of Soil Blockers
¾ inch soil Blocker
1 1/8 inch Soil blocker
2-inch Soil Blocker
3-4 inch Soil Blocker
Cheaper Soil blocker Choices
Soil Blocking Accessories
Soil block Cubic Insert
How to Change your Soil Block Inserts
- First, you turn over your soil blocker to see the underside
- Then pinch out the sides of the insert that is already in the blocker and remove it
- Add the new insert by aligning it and rotating it into the soil blocker
- A clicking sound will let you know it is successfully inserted.
Potting tray
How do you make homemade soil blockers?
What do you put in soil blocks?
Compost: organic matter
Peat moss
Perlite
Azomite
Greensand
Blood Meal
Lime
Colloidal Phosphate
Soil blocking Mix Recipes
- Mix all these mediums thoroughly.
- Use a 10-quart bucket for these ingredients: Peat moss (3 bucket fulls)
- Perlite or Sand ( 2 bucket fulls)
- Compost (2 buckets)
- Regular soil (1bucket)
- Use a standard cup for these ingredients:
- Lime ( ½ cup)
- Mix equal parts of blood meal, greensand and colloidal phosphate (3 total cups of the mix)
- Compost (3 parts)
- Peat moss (3 part)
- Blood meal (1 cup)
- Azomite ( 1 cup)
- Lime (1/2 cup)
- Perlite (2 part)
How to use a soil blocker?
Below are instructions on how to use soil blockers with photos!
Step 2
How do plant seeds into Soil blocks?
What are the benefits of soil blocking?
- Makes stronger root systems of a plant because of the air pruning that happens.
- It cuts down plastic waste and is Eco-friendly
- Saves you money on seed starting material in the long run
- You don’t need a lot of space to grow using soil blocks
- Avoids transplant shock when transplanting
- Creates healthy plants that do not get root bounded
Soil Blocking Care Tips
- A key to successful soil blocking is the amount of moisture in your mix. Creating a “brownie mix consistency” is a good reference to go by.
- You can use cinnamon on top of your soil to help prevent and control algae or damping off.
- Sow bigger seeds in 1&1/2 or 2-inch soil blocks and as deep as you a get them without touching the bottom
- Sow max 2 seeds per soil block to help with your chances of germination.
- Pack soil into the soil block as much as you can. There is no such thing as too much soil in soil blocking
- It’s okay if you have to redo soil blocks, they won’t be perfect all the time..that okay!
- Mist your soil blocks with a spray bottle of water, preventing your seeds from washing away.
- Check your soil blocks every day to stay on top of watering, add a little bit of water at a time.
Soil Blocking FAQ
How do you water soil blocks?
Can you bottom water soil blocks?
How often should you water soil blocks?
Do you cover seeds while soil blocking?
When do you transplant soil blocks seedlings?
How do you know when to move them up to a bigger soil block?
Soil Blocking Final Thoughts
Are soil blocks worth it?
Soil Blocking Resources
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