Gardening with Soil Blocks

For easy planting, gather a set of 20 blocks in your hand and place on your palm. Break off blocks as you plant. Plant the block just deep enough to cover the block lightly with soil. Water the transplants and provide the recommended 1” or more of water a week–especially the first 2 weeks.

Are soil blocks worth it?
What is soil blocking?
How do soil blocks work?
Can you start carrots in soil blocks?
Are soil blocks better than pots?
Can you use potting soil for soil blocks?
Can you bottom water soil blocks?
How do you start seeds in soil blocks?
Can you use coir in soil blocks?
How do you start soil blocks for seed?

Are soil blocks worth it?

Unlike the peat pellets that seem to really be very stodgy and lopsided, soil blocks are great for starting seeds. ... The soil block is meant to support the growth of the seed - once the seed germinates and starts growing, it will start pushing its roots down into the soil of the cube and start growing from there.

What is soil blocking?

Soil-blocking is an ingenious seed-starting method that allows the grower to produce vigorous seedlings with roots that quickly reestablish growth upon transplanting. Soil-blocking further eliminates the expense, waste, and storage issues associated with plastic pots.

How do soil blocks work?

A soil block is pretty much what the name implies—a block made out of lightly compressed potting soil. It serves as both the container and the growing medium for a transplant seedling. ... Instead of the roots circling as they do upon reaching the wall of a container, they fill the block to the edges and wait.

Can you start carrots in soil blocks?

Carrots don't do well in soil blocks because of their long root, and beans and peas are easier and quicker to seed outside. ... More oxygen reaches each seed. Place the trays on a heated bench or, later in the season, in a protected place outdoors. Keep the blocks moist at all times.

Are soil blocks better than pots?

The right amount of water in the mix is also critical so the block won't fall apart. I do not know if seedlings are healthier with soil blocks than with regular trays/pots, but I know that they are very healthy. They are sturdy, easy to manipulate and easy to water (just pour water in the 10x20 trays).

Can you use potting soil for soil blocks?

The key to success with soil blocks is using a mix of peat, compost, soil, and sand or Perlite. ... One thing to consider- you cannot use traditional potting soil for soil blocks- It is not the right consistency. A blocking mixture needs the peat to bind everything together and retain moisture.

Can you bottom water soil blocks?

It will most likely break the block, instead sprinkle some soil mix or vermiculite on top, depending on the seed's germination needs. Bottom water the soil blocks, but don't let them get soggy!

How do you start seeds in soil blocks?

Wiggle the soil blocker around in the soil to pack in as much mix as you can. When you're satisfied that the blocker is tightly packed, use a straight edge such as a painter's tool to scrape the excess off the bottom so the blocks sit nicely in the tray. Then you just plant the seeds as you normally would.

Can you use coir in soil blocks?

For decades and without question, soil blocking is my favorite way to grow seedlings. The best soil for soil blocking is at about half coconut coir or peat moss, which is heart-breaking because neither are particularly renewable, so we're experimenting with more local and renewable materials, stay tuned!

How do you start soil blocks for seed?

Instructions

Dump some of your soil blocking dirt into a tub with a flat bottom. ...
Pile your soil so it's around 1.5x the depth of the soil blocks you're making.
Push the block maker into the soil, packing it down hard so the blocks fill up completely with soil.