The Ultimate Guide to Soil Blocking: Sustainable Seed Starting Made Simple

[@hilshils3426]

I’ve started soil blocking for tiny seeds. Use the mini blocker and push out 2 x 20 cells into a repurposed Indian takeaway plastic box..pop on the lid and you have a lovely self contained mini mini propagator! They need minimal watering in these, but you still need to keep a close eye on them!

[@jimkingsland1645]

You are a true problem solver! Creative Intelligence applied to solve long standing gardening issues. I so appreciate you!

[@Rebeccas_penmanship]

Thank you for sharing! This will be my third year doing a big garden and I'm constantly amazed how much there is to learn. I have never seen soil blocks! I start a good bit indoors on cell trays and you sold me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and lovely gardening!

[@minivanmachoman]

I also find that my seeds germinate and are ready for transplanting a week or two earlier than with typical cell style starts. Great video! Go soil blocks!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Yes, many people find that they grow a bit quicker!

[@BramptonGardener]

I loved my soil blocks last year. Total game changer. I just love how much space they save and how healthy my seedlings were. Last year I just used straight up potting mix with no issues. I couldn't get any other supplies with lockdown, and was happy it worked well. I'll keep an eye out for green sand or coconut coir. Canadian peat moss is grown sustainably FYI.

[@mmeyerr7867]

dont tell anyone but ima do this in my whole neighborhood with this here 25 pound bag of black sunflower seeds. bwahahaaaa

[@vancamerawoman7399]

Fabulous. I’ve just ordered my 1st soil blocker.

[@gioknows]

I used soil blocks for the first time ever last year and though l gained some valuable experience l really learned a lot from this video, it was extremely well presented. I can’t wait to get started this year. I am watching this video whilst on vacation so cheers from Tulua, Colombia 🇨🇴

[@tamararobinson2069]

I Loved this video - very nice quick fully informative info!! And you are cute as a bug!😊 Please do more videos!! Thank you for this!!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you!! It's our goal this year to bring more education to youtube so we definitely will!

[@mycherona1]

Love this video, thank you! It looks like it cuts off at the end though :(

[@kathrynweaver2490]

Loved all the information! & your greenhouse! What style/brand is it?

[@joedamart]

Thank you for taking the time to make all of your very informative soil blocking videos. I do have one question though. After making your soil blocks and putting in the seeds and covering with saran wrap and putting them on a heat mat. Do you need to water the soil blocks during the germination period or is the condensation that is created by the heat mat and the saran wrap enought to keep them moist.

[@_mealzz0574]

Great video I learned some great new techniques. I want to let you know it cuts off at the end when you are making your mix. Would love to see the end product!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Yes, thank you! Part 2 is uploading. :)

[@CliffordAllison]

Great Video ! At 6:47 what is the size of the tray? I clicked the affiliate url and its showing 8X26 in black color so wanted to make sure before I ordered.

[@jennablorezone8Band9A]

My soil blockers just arrived today that I ordered from your Amazon link. Thanks for the restaurant tray tip! That sifter that goes over 5g bucket is awesome, is it something I can get at hardware store?

[@sleepeejack]

Thanks so much for all this great information! How easy is it to transplant very young seedlings into these soil blocks? Do the blocks fall apart if you tried to punch a hole for the roots? Or could you make the hole and insert the plant while the soil is still in the soil blocker? Are the cube-dibblers on the Papa Bear size removable?

[@flgardening813]

awesome video!! We are doing soil blocks for the first time this year and have everything you recommended. I've seen some other gardeners recommend using mesh trays because flat bottom trays without holes or mesh promote matting of the roots. Have you noticed any of that happening with your blocks?

[@Social_VeteranPCS]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful

[@MyraWilson-pn9ow]

I started seeds in the mini but am not sure when to move them to the 2”. Please show a picture of an actual seedling being moved to the big block. Thanks!

[@butette]

is it important to use mesh bottom tray vs the flat tray that you use to hold the blocks?

[@jenlwhiteside]

Can you explain why it's important to use a peat-free mix and/or why peat is problematic?

[@ryanvartman]

I am having a heck of a time finding a container similar to yours with the small wavy ridges at the bottom. Do you remember where you got those?

[@mooselodge3881]

What is the advantages of trays you suggest? Johnny’s sells mesh trays.

[@inthehouse9062]

Usefull Thanks

[@sn232]

Do you have a link for the green stainless steel strainer you use at the end of the video (that fits in a 5 gallon bucket)? Thank you :)

[@med1pilot1956]

I'm unclear as to why you would need to pot up from mini to medium at all. If you are going through the extra step of potting up, why not start there in the first place? I really want to try soil blocks this winter and this video has been very helpful.

[@daviddecker3847]

I did them all in the 2 inch blocks and found that by the time they're ready to be planted the blocks are covered in algae. I think the algae either smothers out the oxygen or produces something toxic. It really hurt some of the plants. Using the 3/4 blocks to germinate, then plopping those into fresh 2 inch blocks left me with healthier plants, and the seeds that didn't germinate wasted less space and soil.

[@humajhaider]

How long can the seedlings grow in the micro seed blocks before they need to be potted up to the 2 inch block . Thanks !

[@Cherryparfait41]

I’ve known about soil blocking for decades and I’m finally taking the plunge! But, I can’t find a good list of which seeds for the different sizes…I’ll have all three. Any sites you might recommend? I do grow flowers and veg and love starting seeds indoors.

[@laurieclarkson9180]

The size of the seeds can sometimes be a good indication. For example, a snapdragon seed is teeny tiny, so they can go in the smaller soil blocks while a larger seed like a sunflower seed, could go in the larger soil block. Just a tip :)

[@rachelstark2391]

Greetings, What growing Zone are you in? Cheers

[@elizabethhatcher2074]

Video cut off at the end. Where are the links and info for the products, trays specifically? Great video and very informative! I would love to try soil blocking this year. Thank you!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Trays are linked in the video description. :)

[@roninbadger7750]

are/were seed trays originally designed to be a soil block? fill tray, pack tray, dump tray, seed?

[@melswis]

Thank you for this video! Super helpful :)

[@bobmcandrew126]

I have been using soil blocks for a few years now and my biggest challenge is how to label them so I know what’s what. How do you label yours?

[@gretchenm47]

I use popsicle sticks and make one row all the same thing, so one stuck between two blocks shows me the whole row.

[@RootedinTexas]

What are the actual dimensions of the trays, please? Want to be sure I’m looking for the appropriate size.

[@listinglazily]

Would I be able to sell them like this? What would be the best way to package small seedlings like this without using plastic?

[@alexkunnen]

wrapped in newspaper? cardboard trays?