Making Soil Blocks

We start our plants in compressed soil blocks we make each spring. For more information, visit frontporchfarm.... and www.johnnyseeds...
©Copyright 2010 Front Porch Farm, All Rights Reserved.

[@FrontPorchFarm]

The best way that we have found to keep the blocks moist is to pack them tightly together, then immediately cover them with sheets of clear plastic saran wrap. We recover them as soon as they are planted and watered--and leave them covered until the seeds sprout, when you will have to water at least once a day. Good luck with your spring planting!

[@jiewang5175]

Thank you ❤

[@yohanneslucky5538]

Thank you for educating me.

[@victoriaev]

"Soil Biscuits"! I love it! Thanks so much for sharing and doing such a great job at that

[@FrontPorchFarm]

@loudlikenature Thanks for the question. The "mats" that we are using are actually corrugated plastic. Like you, we have found that the blocks tend to dry out. I would suggest using a little more peat moss in your mix--it may be a little different where you are.

[@robmitchke8034]

this is the best brownie recipe ever!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

we made these the same way when i worked at a plant nursery about 30 years ago but didn't use a machine, we just pressed good topsoil in a cardboard box that soda cans came in , made sure it was real wet and scored the blocks with a knife and poked holes with our fingers and add milorganite to the holes with the seeds, kept them wet and they worked good.

[@alan30189]

Johnny's Selected Seeds. Call them for a catalog. the one with the long handle is $189 and the small one is $24.95. Expensive, but if you need to make a lot of soil blocks its probably the way to go. I am just going to make my own since I do not need to make dozens of soil blocks.

[@k.gregory2284]

Yey soil blocks! I'm a big fan too.

[@TommyDaTuber]

Excellent information and really good production values. Well done, thank you.

[@aprilreeves1]

Your videos are really well done! Thank you for showing these techniques. Much appreciated! Too bad we don't have black peat here in Canada. I could just replace that with the equivalent of organic compost; see how that works. Heading to Johnny's website now to get a soil blocker! Johnny's should pay for your advertising of their products!

[@FrontPorchFarm]

@Bobby Lime raises the pH and lowers acidity, sweetening the soil so that the plants have an easier time extracting nutrients from the soil.

[@arizonachristian]

try mixing in a cement mixer,.. works awesome... have a Blessed day

[@FrontPorchFarm]

@lalokingman I use the vermiculite to cover the seeds rather than soil because it seems it allows the seeds to germinate and come up a bit more quickly and easily. It's also much easier to work with!

[@alan30189]

Peat moss is very acidic. The lime is to balance that out so you have the proper pH level in the soil.

[@Sbhabhi]

Excellent I liked your tools and style. Keep up the good work

[@FrontPorchFarm]

@kekawaka We use standard nursery trays that fit vegetable six-packs, with corrugated plastic cut to fit the the bottom.

[@impalapez]

looks like you have a very high germination rate!!! Great Vid!!! Very informative!!!

[@tattooedbyderek]

That's dope you guys.. 👍

[@FrontPorchFarm]

@jihappytoes We purchased our soil block makers from Johnny's Selected Seeds.

[@alan30189]

Yes, I see that. The bottoms of those trays are probably ribbed, so those white sheets help absorb the water from the trays evenly up into the soil blocks. Just a guess though.

[@BoondockFarms]

there is something obviously "white" in the bottoms of the pans. very visible in the background to the left at the 1:25 mark, as well as the 1:00(ish) mark. that was what i was wondering about.

[@LAZYFARMER333]

Awesome vid, thanks for making this! :D

[@areykankin8680]

Насчет изготовления я согласен, быстро, красиво. А вот как потом. Когда посадил рассаду, ее нужно поливать, так вот тогда эти кубики развалятся или сольются в одно целое. Я так думаю. ;)

[@Automedon2]

Great video - thanks

[@antoniosalvador9754]

I used to do stuff like this but I found out it is easier to just plant your seed in a regular container with soil or compost. No more transplants and its trauma. For bigger plants Ike papaya, I just plant it directly to the soul and water regularly.

[@6769paul]

Do you think a small concrete mixer would work good for doing what your doing ?

[@WayneMeador]

Thank You for the video, I'm looking into getting one of these block makers and this was helpful. Quick question, when you water these seedlings, do you pour and flood the tray and let the soil wick up the water or do you water over them, essentially sprinkling them? Thanks in advance!

[@MoOoDi78]

did u get one?

[@TheWormeryLLC]

found the video very informational I was wondering if there are alternative to peat moss

[@rdslager2]

Black Peat? Have you tried soil in place of it?

[@alan30189]

Did you ever sub coconut coir for the peat moss, since peat moss, they say, is not a renewable resource?

[@XaViEr3520]

You’re right but here in North America is being regulated for sustainability and only harvesting 0.02% of it so history doesn’t repeat itself like in Europe where peat is actually scarce and wasn’t properly regulated. But again you’re right coco peat is also a good alternative and also a substitute, lime for example using 5 gallons of spaghnum peat and 5 gallons of coco peat would decrease the use of it as well.

[@alan30189]

Where do you buy your fertilizer ingredients in bulk?

[@kekawaka]

What are you using for trays? I've been using regular cell pack trays, but they flex easily and stress the blocks. I also tried cafeteria trays which worked quite well, and were easy to store, but didn't have high sides. Sill looking for the ideal tray.

[@BoondockFarms]

@FrontPorchFarm what is being used for a wicking medium between the blocks and the trays they're placed in?

[@alan30189]

It seems to me all the peat moss and perlite in the soil is the wicking medium.

[@BoondockFarms]

what is underneath the blocks, between them and the base of the tray for a wicking medium?

[@ElaineWilliamseasye]

Very cool! I need to get one for sure! Any recommendations? Is one better than another? Thanks for sharing!

[@FrontPorchFarm]

We got ours from Johnny's Seed, many years and thousands of blocks and its still going strong.

[@BobbyRodDallas]

i did not catch why you use the lime. I know why you did everything else but i just dont know what the lime is for. thanks bobby

[@juanlopez-ri5ig]

this is funny what u use to grow with. in Mexico we can grow anything with out all of that but sun and water

[@needmoretime9394]

do you ever have any issues with mold?? what do you do about it?

[@lalokingman]

what is the purpose of the vermiculite?

[@teguhhermawan1180]

where you got the soil block maker,?

[@brittuecker7804]

How do you water when the blocks are so close together?

[@FrontPorchFarm]

Britt Uecker We use a water wand and gently sprinkle from the top.

[@scoprios]

The perilite is hard to find in my area, is there a substitute?

[@scoprios]

+Jadwiga Nałęczna I ask a simple question and get this for an answer. You must be a total idiot!!!

[@jadwiganaeczna4329]

scoprios But now you know bitch.

[@teddaffin8509]

where did you get the siol block maker , thanks

[@FrontPorchFarm]

www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/stand-up-6-soil-blocker-9530.html#q=soil%2Bblock&lang=en_US&start=1