Making Soil Blocks

[@Schererbliss]

I would suggest setting these soil blocks on a cheese cloth, then let the cheese cloth overhang into a bowl of water. This minimizes damage to the soil blocks when watering, allows the blocks to stay at a constant moistness that isn’t too wet. I’ve found it to be the most successful watering method. Hope this helps!

[@REDGardens]

That sounds like an interesting option. I wonder if an old towel would work and if the roots of the plants would grow through the clothing become a hassle to remove?

[@wendyburston3132]

I'm also wondering if the roots grow into the cloth and become a problem.

[@Jeffipookins]

I've started using newspapers as a capillary mat (a recommendation from a university study). Did you ever develop a satisfactory block mix?

[@kofokofo]

one of the best gardening channels but so few subscribers - its a mystery

[@REDGardens]

Hey, thanks. It is a mystery to me as well!

[@sepound33]

Just became a patreon

[@BigAlSparks]

Exactly what I was thinking, such an under rated channel, but I'm confident if he keeps at it, they will come!

[@REDGardens]

@@sepound33 Thanks!

[@PraxZimmerman]

People are scared of the truth

[@PseudoPhlegm]

The logical and optimizational traits you express while discussing your continual processes of trying to improve the garden is absolutely amazing.

[@jakeryker546]

But prolly the reason most ppl find it boring xD

[@James.5703]

@@jakeryker546 prolly the reason i find most ppl boring XP

[@californiaquaking]

I found that the idea of using a soil blocker was a lot better than the reality. I don't doubt that one can learn to make it work -- once you've built the frames to hold them; developed a watering technique; mastered the soil consistency; and developed the right soil mix. But after a while, I just didn't think it was worth it. I'm glad I got to see someone else struggle with it. It will be interesting to see whether RED gardens continues to use one down the line.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I can see how you could get the point of not thinking it was worth it, and it will be interesting to see if another method(s) replace my use of soil blocks in the future.

[@californiaquaking]

@@REDGardens Soil blockers aside, I enjoy your choice of topics for your videos, and the care and attention to detail that you show in discussing them. Thanks!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks.

[@crowlsyong]

Thanks for making these. I find so much value in not only the videos, but also the comment section. Your making some solid videos thank you.

[@chrisholbourn2793]

I’m an experienced gardener and had never heard of the ‘blocker’ tool that you’ve highlighted so well. Yet another Awesome video mate. I’m constantly being educated watching your videos. Keep em coming. Thank you SO much.

[@REDGardens]

Hey, really glad that you are getting lots out of my videos. Hearing that makes it all worthwhile.

[@susanjohnstone8185]

Me too! Hadn't heard of the blocker tool. Will pass details to our friends who have allotments. We live and learn, thanks from Merseyside, UK.

[@bonniebon5378]

I have absolutely zero interest in soil blocks, but I knew your video would provide very useful information still yet. Just awesome. Thanks.

[@REDGardens]

Nice to know that you were interested in my video, without being interested in the subject.

[@bryanholder1329]

Dip your soil blocker tool into a bucket of warm water between pressings to clean it, get the soil blocks out easier and the warmth helps with the seed germination a little too. The reason for the little blocks going into bigger ones is also so that you can choose the healthiest and strongest seedling.

[@REDGardens]

I've tried the bucket thing, but not with warm water, will give it a try.

[@bryanholder1329]

@@REDGardens if you use warm water for the whole process it will raise the soil temps and it will loosen the blocks out a little easier for some soil types. Wish you all the best.

[@dawncurran7528]

Wonderful! You have answered all of my questions about using this method clearly, both pros and cons as you have found it. I have subscribed!

[@REDGardens]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flatsville1]

One of the smartest gardening channels on KZbin watched by some of the smartest gardeners around KZbin.

[@JoesWebPresence]

I've used one of these soil blockers for three seasons now and I really appreciate it. I also made scrap wood trays for them and found them best for moisture retention. I don't use micro blocks, but have occasionally popped a seedling into a vacant block by carefully widening the dimple with a toothpick and getting it muddy again. I have around 200 blocks in the polytunnel right now ready to go out, and plan to make a few more yet. Top tip: for crops prone to root fly, mix in some diatomaceous earth into your soil block mix. This discourages the flies from laying their eggs at the base of your young plants.

[@REDGardens]

Interesting point about the diatomaceous earth - thanks.

[@jenniferapiary]

The best video I have seen yet on making soil blocks

[@REDGardens]

Cool! Thanks.

[@Riverrockphotos]

I just invested in this system this year and there is a learning curve with them. You need the right mix right water everything for them to work. The minis are more difficult as well.

[@REDGardens]

Yeah, it does take a while. I finally figured out the moisture content that makes the process easier.

[@gioknows]

I use two of the blockers and they are a blast to use LOL. I saw a video where someone used a cloth diaper to line the crates and kept in continuously moist by hanging it over the edge into a container of water and I am trying that this year but it's too early to tell. Love this channel. Your newest subscriber, from Ottawa, Canada.

[@REDGardens]

That sounds like a useful method of keeping them moist.

[@joansmith3492]

Best video I've seen on soil blocks. Thanks!

[@REDGardens]

Ah, thanks!

[@johncourtneidge]

This is the best video that I have yet seen on this technique.

[@dawnmorning]

Always enjoy or videos.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@wendyburston3132]

This is just what I was looking for. Saw some info about soil blocks that made it look so easy. It's refreshing to watch someone actually give detailed information on how to make it work successfully. Subscribed. And shared✓

[@REDGardens]

🙂

[@williamruff3729]

I use misters in a green house with plastic trays on tables, (drainable trays) You can get different heads that determine the spray distance. These are on timers. We hit them with water that's treated with A/B liquid fertilizer and is Ph regulated. It's all automated. From the nutrient injection to the multiphase temperature regulation. It's a bit Overkill. But what I do recommend is misters on timers. What you are doing could be better for a smaller farm though. :)

[@REDGardens]

Timers and misters sounds like an interesting solution, and would definitely look into it if I started to scale up some more. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@kansaIainen]

This tool is a perfect gift for a gardening friend!

[@sebastianbroscheyoga]

My new favorite gardening channel

[@TheRustySpigot]

I had seen soil blocking before, but not the micro one! How cool is that thing!!!

[@REDGardens]

It is a pretty cool tool, though I have yet to really figure out if it is worth using in my context.

[@justdefacts]

For avoiding taking up space to germinate seeds that are old etc I use the kitchen paper method on a heat pad covered with a sheet of bubble wrap. I just wet it down with a spray daily. The ones that germinate I move to my pellets for growing on. Might be worth considering as an alternative to the micros.

[@REDGardens]

@@justdefacts Yeah, that sounds like another possibility.

[@lazygardens]

@@REDGardens I use the micro block to get seeds sprouted to the first real leaf stage, then they go into the garden. My success at direct sowing is abysmal, with the blocks is much better.

[@skittles9970]

This is, by far, the best video I have seen on soil blocking! I have the 4" Maxi blocker, too. It uses a little less soil than the 0.7 gallon pots, and the plants seem so much healthier in the blocks. You explain everything so well!

[@REDGardens]

Hey, thanks. Interesting what you say about the larger blocks. I'm planning to try them out too.

[@skittles9970]

@@REDGardens They are a little bit of a pain to make since you can only make 1 at a time, but well worth the effort I know you will love it!

[@livefreeordie3992]

Making Soil Blocks---Pete Kanaris Green Team--- Check it out

[@beesplaining1882]

Very comprehensive video. Thanks so much.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@qtpwqt]

This is something we may have to try this year

[@REDGardens]

it is an interesting piece of equipment.

[@brianbenson637]

Awesome video, thanks! You saved me a ton of time with trial and error. God bless!!

[@REDGardens]

Glad it was helpful!

[@senhalil]

Hi there. Thanks for trying new things and sharing your knowledge with all of us also for being concerned about the environment. I feel like making a small hole at the bottom of the larger cube insert might solve the suction issue.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. I think that might work.

[@hhiippiittyy]

@@REDGardens There will also be a lot of lateral adhesion from the perfectly squared sides. Water is very adhesive. The original Robertson screw had similar issues, I believe, and it was solved by slightly angling the square. A hydrophobic coating might work too, but that seems like overkill.

[@annabellavetra]

the micro block looks so cute 😍🌿

[@REDGardens]

They are!

[@richm5889]

I think it's quite likely that the reason it's taken me forever to know this channel exists is because of some Google ranking having to do with making money! But now that I found it I'm really happy I did.

[@REDGardens]

I am glad you found it too!

[@Craz38]

I ordered a set of micro (20 cells) and the large one (4 cells) with the inserts yesterday and then your video pops up 😁. Really looking forward to using these. By the way, when trying to extract them if you place it in to the tray you keep it tight to the bottom and press down on the handle so it squashes the soil a bit more then lift the lever and they should come out fine.

[@REDGardens]

I have found that squeezing them tighter does work with the regular dimple inserts, but doesn't help with the larger micro block inserts.

[@oheebatch_algorytmu]

Where from please?

[@Craz38]

@@oheebatch_algorytmu www.worm.co.uk/products/eco-soil-block-maker I ordered the set at the bottom.

[@rosewood513]

Very nice video, I just ordered on type this morning..

[@ryanfullerton2924]

I’d like to give these blocks a try sometime. They look really convenient!

[@REDGardens]

They can be.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

Way to go Bruce. See if you can get hold of some compressed coir bricks. When you rehydrate that stuff it goes great into a block mix, and makes your premium potting mix go further. Plus I reckon the seedlings don't even know they've been transplanted, and don't skip a beat. I think the tiny ones are best for tricky and really tiny seed - and I just put them straight out - don't bother putting them up a size. Good luck for a gentle, successful season! Great video.

[@REDGardens]

I have been thinking of getting in coir - a material I have not tried before. I like what you are saying about planting the microblocks out, rather than potting/blocking them up. I was thinking of trying that with lettuce, just to give them a bit of a start.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

Yep - you can get seedlings to an inch, or even a couple of inches tall in the little blocks. Then they can go straight out. It's such a superb invention. Tomatoes are the only things I bother upsizing, and they are in a little greenhouse until it's warm enough for them in the garden.

[@REDGardens]

That was what I was thinking. Glad you have been able to confirm my suspicions about possible easier use.

[@mortonsfarm652]

Great video, did not even know there was a premix! May have to drag out the old blocker. I struggled with them falling apart in the past. If you nail down a recipe please share with the class :)

[@REDGardens]

Yeah, I decided to go with the premix right off the bat, so that I didn't struggle with too many variables or issues at one time.

[@jeffreydustin5303]

I like a peat moss and compost 50/50...that seems to work but beware drying out. Those blocks dry out faster than you can say block!

[@Dollapfin]

RED Gardens what about mixing in a little clay? It’s easy to find just dig down deep enough. Clay kinda pastes everything together. Water retention will be better. I’m gonna try that.

[@REDGardens]

@@Dollapfin Worth a try.

[@Dollapfin]

RED Gardens I just did. I have ordered the blocker (thanks to you) and have mixed my clay loam soil from about four inches down (so there’s less weed seeds) with some miracle grow mix and becuz clay doesn’t let air get in, i also put some extra perlite in. Haven’t gotten the blocker yet, but the mix is very still when wet. I think the addition of something like coco fibers would be better as they are longer and stronger than peat. I will tell you the results, but I can’t believe that it wouldn’t work. The whole idea that roots can’t go thru soil becuz it’s hard is bs. Roots can’t get thru clay becuz there’s little oxygen and they can’t respire to force themselves into the clay. These blocks when spaced should allow air in.

[@susansilverstein998]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@lionheartbreadman]

Fantastic video. Feel I am ready to get started. Thanks.

[@REDGardens]

Excellent!

[@dollyperry3020]

I'd love to hear more about your seed starting/garden planning!

[@REDGardens]

Ok, I'll think about that for a future video.

[@Sankara561]

This is great for those of us with limited cover space, much better than trying to juggle untold pots and half-empty trays. Too bad they are quite expensive for small scale gardeners - I will try to make a simple wood mould instead.

[@REDGardens]

The tools are a bit expensive, but I have seen some good examples of homemade ones. Have fun!

[@josephlarsen]

please keep us updated as you come up with better ways to use soil blocks. I've always wanted to use them, but I do all my seed starting indoors and they're hard to keep air pruned properly

[@REDGardens]

I will.

[@Agrinihan]

Thank you for sharing this technique. Experimenting different ways to use soil blocks. Very helpful for us to use this tools in an effective way. Hope i can use this tool for my project on my channel. Again thank you very much

[@REDGardens]

Hope the soil blocks work out for you.

[@hackn3y199]

The quality of your videos is top notch!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! Glad you appreciate my efforts.

[@Jeffipookins]

this was a helpful perspective on the soil block. I've had good luck using plastic paint trays with microfiber towels as a capillary mat. While this adds plastic back into the system, the trays are small enough to allow you to selectively control the moisture of different seedlings and the microfiber does not encourage mold like a cotton or some other capillary mats (and they are re-usable and cheap). I set the blocks directly on the microfiber but you could set a mesh bottom tray (like the one you have) on top of a this microfiber capillary mat and simply lift the tray a few times each week to prevent roots from growing into the mat. I use a mix of compost, peat moss, and perlite (or vermiculite) with cotton seed or alfalfa meal fertilizer. I try to time the planting so the seedlings get out into the garden before they outgrow the blocks. (when you start making you own mix you may like the cube inserts, the mini cubes save a lot of germination space on the heat mat and under lights).

[@REDGardens]

Sounds like a good system, I haven’t tried the capillary mats before.

[@Tonia.lynn2411]

Perfect video! Explaining everything and to the point. Thank you

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! Glad it worked for you.

[@jeffdustin]

I invested recently in soil blockers and I am very impressed with how the process works. The biggest issue I have had is getting a mix that clings together and is viscous enough to avoid blocks that fall apart.

[@REDGardens]

That seems to be the biggest issue, and the reason I haven't yet got around to trying to make my own mix.

[@jeffdustin]

@@REDGardens ha yes. I learned from your video how to insert those black little boxes, i didn't realize you had to take the white nipples out...I tried to use Patreon to donate but got locked out!!! I'll try again later.

[@REDGardens]

@@jeffdustin Thanks for considering Patreon.

[@Qgal5kap123]

Just put in an order for my very own soil blocker. Can't wait to try it!

[@TheBushdoctor68]

Hey, that's a Dutch bag of potting soil! Great video btw. love those block makers.

[@REDGardens]

Dutch, cool! I had assumed they were German, but that shows my ignorance I guess.

[@TheBushdoctor68]

@@REDGardens I can imagine, because the first description on the bag is in German. Easy mistake. 'Potgrond' is definitely Dutch... or Belgian! - Gotta love that single market. ;) - Now I *had* to look it up.. The Germans call it 'Blumenerde', which translates to Flower-Soil. Pretty cool.

[@sikamikan]

Great video as always. Already waiting for this spring's videos Cheers from Barcelona

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. It is always cool to know that there are people around the world watching these videos!

[@nathanieltaylor9466]

Very grateful for your content

[@REDGardens]

Glad you found it valuable.

[@mtman673]

As always, I really appreciate your videos. I always get something out of them.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. I'm glad you find them valuable.

[@vossierebel]

This is great info - I will have to invest in a soil-blocker!

[@GrownToCook]

Great video, Bruce! You reminded me I should go press some soil blocks :) I would be very interested in a follow up on making your own potting mix for soil blocks.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks.

[@jcking6785]

Very informative and well produced video!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks.

[@jeffreydustin5303]

This is your best video yet by far. I wondered about the pros and cons of the soil blocking technique. Are the plants more resistant to transplanting shock? Are they healthier? What about the yields - are they affected by soil block vs. plastic pot or tray vs. direct sowing?

[@REDGardens]

Ah, thanks. Glad you liked it. Those are very good questions, but I haven't done any side by side comparisons yet, so I don't really have any answers. My instinct is that they are more resistant to transplant shock, and go on to produce better, but that is just speculation on the basis of that is what I have learned is supposed to happen.

[@wendysgarden4283]

@@REDGardens They (advocates, including I think Coleman) claim when the roots hit air, they start to split and form more microroots. I've never seen an independent study on this, but it should be fairly simple to verify/refute, to start identical seeds in the same sized plastic pot and block, take out the plants at 4 weeks, get out a magnifying glass and start counting roots--and then use a sensitive scale to weigh the washed root balls and compare weight as well. (Tedious, but simple.)

[@REDGardens]

@@wendysgarden4283 Yep, tedious and simple! It would be interesting just to carefully wash all of the growing medium from plants growing in a number of different types of containers - just to see the difference.

[@jeffreydustin5303]

@@REDGardens I read the Eliot Coleman info and I think his experience is a more robust transplant. Makes intuitive sense, you get more volume, growing medium, air & water to the roots and less cramped quarters as you might get in a simple flat or tray of seedlings. I get lazy so for example right now I have a seedling tray of broad beans that are growing too fast and too big. If I had soil blocked, I could easily pot them on or just pop the block into the garden bed. I like the modularity of the seed block but again it is a bit more labor...but what the heck i like playing in the dirt!

[@REDGardens]

@@jeffreydustin5303 It does make intuitive sense that they would be healthier plants. And sometimes we need to do the extra work to get healthier plants.

[@thesilkbazaar1130]

Thank you very much, this was incredibly informative. I can’t wait to give this a go with my Soil Blocker!

[@nickstraw1952]

Our local commercial nursery (delfland.co.uk/) uses soil blocks for their tomatoes - and others. I find the system fascinating, but our plot does not really warrant one. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of the Swedish Homestead book and make my own. Thanks again for a very interesting and timely video. Wishing you all success for the coming season.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Its usefulness really comes down to context, and the personality of the grower - some of us just like the system a lot!

[@김장로농부]

Making Soil Blocks good

[@김장로농부]

I'd like to try Making Soil Blocks.

[@theresadavis1834]

Wow, thanks for the video and all the info.

[@REDGardens]

Cool, glad you appreciated it.

[@nohemie4057]

Beautiful work !

[@johhny711]

Very interesting method.

[@salazarpayne3784]

I absolutely love your videos and your presentation of them. You seem very honest, and honesty to me is Paramount. I wish you the very best in your gardening Adventures as well as your personal life. SUBSCRIBED

[@REDGardens]

Thank you!

[@karencrawford5102]

Thanks - this looks really interesting I can’t wait to give it a try in spring 2021.

[@cpnotill9264]

I've been wanting to do this for years and just bought a blocker. I feel this is goi g to be a game changer for me and actually enjoyable to make.

[@nirmal6362]

Thanks for sharing ur experiences.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@vanesanchezk]

Very informative, thank you!

[@REDGardens]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wahyubudi8084]

as always, great video and excellent explanation.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@coryhyatt2035]

Fantastic video sir!

[@REDGardens]

thanks!

[@markstevenson9080]

Thank you!

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@Outdoorando]

Amazing. Thx

[@seanconway1154]

What you need is a wooden tray with dividers for the blocks, 8 × 4 blocks per pray would be plenty, while you're at it make the trays stackable so you can get more of them into less space

[@REDGardens]

Stackable trays would definitely help.

[@fishnlady]

I bought a soil blocker this Spring. I had a lot of trouble getting the seed starting mix to form no matter how much or little water. It was very frustrating. Also they didn’t want to release from the blocker very well. Then some fell apart while putting them in place. I hope you or someone can come up with a seed starting mix formula that works good. Thanks for your video.

[@REDGardens]

They can be quite tricky, and it took me a while to figure it out. I think the pre-mixed material that I use is good so that really helped a lot in my learn gin process. Hope you find a better mix.

[@nigel4321]

dip the blocker into a bucket of water before you use it to ensure the block comes out clean.

[@REDGardens]

I have found that does help with the regular dimple insert, but doesn't seem to help with the larger micro block inserts.

[@neiler1970]

RED Gardens a year old but hey. I find I have to make them quite firm and use a double manoeuvre to release the block. Great video, please do a follow up, it would be interesting to see how you got on with your mix etc. My own is based on Elliot Coleman’s albeit loosely.

[@ranchoraccolto]

Sounds really usefull, i Will try the blocks...Will have into account the air pruning

[@REDGardens]

Hope it works out for you.

[@dodge7679]

Hey Bruce another great indept highly informative vid...ty🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@REDGardens]

Hey, glad you liked it!

[@MyraMo9484]

Very innovative!!!

[@Prankgwong]

just want to point out something, if you're mixture would contain less water and have some extra fine sand in it, it would also stay together and take up water much better. When pressing with a mix that wet, when dried it forms a wall as you see this with compacted ground that dries fast after heavy rainfall.

[@AbidAli-bv2gl]

Excellent

[@REDGardens]

Thanks

[@syntehtix]

Hey Red hope you're well. Soil blocks are awesome but I have stopped using them in favor of fabric pots for seed starts. You still get the air pruning action but it retains water much better. I cannot attest to which method is faster and as with anything it's got its ups and down. The biggest downside for me has probably been with transplanting; if you transplant when a bunch of roots have already grown through the fabric then you end up having to rip them. So for this has not damaged the plant or stunted it's growth, but it does take a bit more time to free the plant from the pot. The smallest sturdy reusable ones I have found are 1/4 gallon but prefer to use the half gallon ones. I wanted to stop using blocks just because it seemed to be taking too long but I'm not even sure fabric pots are faster. Since the fabric pots are bigger than the 2 inch blocks, the plants get much bigger so procrastination is offset considerably. Yes there are bigger blocks but it seems easier to just be able to drop soil into the pot. Thanks for the content and Happy Gardening!

[@REDGardens]

That would be interesting to try out - thanks.

[@anniegaddis5240]

Great info, thank you!

[@thuffman44]

Fantastic informative video!!! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@BanksterRap]

regarding the difficulty of squeezing out the soil blocks owing to surface tension or suction (9.10), try dipping the soil blocker in water first to lubricate the insides.

[@REDGardens]

I tend to do that, but it doesn't seem to help. More of a suction issue than a friction problem I think.

[@backritepaint]

Adding a draft angle to the micro block inserts can likely reduce the suction preventing the soil blocks from leaving the tool.

[@REDGardens]

That would probably help

[@timjones6609]

Great video, thanks! Quick question: How long do you leave the soil blocks soaking in water? Do the soil blocks fall apart if you leave them soaking too long?

[@REDGardens]

I only leave them in for a few minutes if they are reasonably dry. If they are very dry (if I forget to water them for a while), it might take a bit longer. For daily watering, I think a quick 30 second dunk would be enough in many cases. Yes, they do fall apart if you leave them too long

[@lauramonks5327]

Thanks, this video was so helpful!

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@johnchilds1355]

Great channel and content !!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@jquinn444]

matthewfarnell puts the blocks on a cloth that is hung into a basin of water which constantly soaked.

[@Green.Country.Agroforestry]

This tool seems just the thing to help start plants that don't handle transplanting well. Do you suppose that it would be possible to drill a small hole through those inserts to relieve the partial vacuum that is likely causing them to stick inside the molds?

[@REDGardens]

I think drilling a small hole as you suggest might do the trick, and something I want to try.

[@nottelling6598]

A press for turning shredded paper into fuel logs looks exactly like the kind of thing you could use to make larger planting bricks. A normal brick press would probably make them too tough for the seeds to root properly.

[@REDGardens]

Yeah, that could work.

[@joannthompson765]

trying yi use my soil block more vyt totally agree abiuy the watering of them.

[@elizebethparker5412]

I like the soil block also.

[@REDGardens]

It is a useful tool.

[@mikeharrington5593]

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge & experience but IMO biodegradable peat pots are a much simpler & easier managed option than soil blocks for the small scale or occasional gardener. I would be interested in the design of a mold for DIY peat pots that utilizes a combination of cardboard/paper mache & peat. As regards keeping the soil blocks separated perhaps putting them on top of a sheet of thickish waste cardboard and inserting cut strips of such cardboard separators between the blocks would minimize the root disturbance & prevent drying out between blocks?

[@REDGardens]

Yeah, I imagine the peat pots would be a simpler method for the small scale gardener.

[@jenniferapiary]

Thank you so much 🐝

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

We love our soil blockers. We start almost everything in the micro blocks, but we're nowhere near the scale of your gardening operation so keeping on top of tending them is perhaps more feasible. I wrestle with use of plastic/synthetics too, but until we get a greenhouse it's unlikely that we'll be able to move to building our own wooden trays as we do all of our seed starting in the house and want to contain the moisture better than wood would enable. I have no problem keeping our seedlings watered in their trays by leaving space along one long side of the tray, and being very careful about pouring water in. The "waterfront" blocks transfer water to their neighbours until the whole tray is more or less watered, plus there are always some rows of blocks separated from their neighbours that let the water in too. However, again, that's likely do-able for us in part because tho our garden is quite large, it's not at the scale of your plots. Watering carefully enough to minimize erosion of the "waterfront" blocks, at the number of flats you must have, might be a bit much. I'll keep your technique of floating trays in mind! Love the idea. I had no idea you could buy a premade blocking mix - we just mix up a growing medium of whatever we have handy, usually mostly sifted compost from last year's pile (fall leaves & kitchen scraps & garden waste), maybe some sand. One year there was a bag of composted manure around... one year there was a bag of peat. One year there was some vermiculite. We just accept an occasional bit of crumbling around the edges, which is mostly a "problem" when making the 2" blocks to transplant the micro blocks into. Even then, it isn't a terribly big deal in my view (again, for my scale of gardening). If a seedling's roots in its micro block seem a little exposed by a gently crumbled corner of the 2" block that is its new home, I sprinkle a little soil on the exposed roots and keep going.

[@REDGardens]

I think with watering these things it is better to go with a tray with no holes in it, and let the water soak in the bottom for a while, as you mention. Or to go with a completely open bottom tray that you can just place into another tray for a few minutes. Both have benefits and issues. I'm looking forward to experimenting with mixing my own growing medium, but not just yet, as I don't have a lot of time!

[@marilyn1228]

EXCELLENT!!!!

[@MTResilience]

great info, great channel

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@mundanestuff]

I find your way of speaking reassuring. Like you're confident in your discomfort caused by the experimentation and just fine with it, and so should we be fine with ours. You know you're at a certain level and you know may be further along than me, and you don't mind sharing the expertise that you've gained through experience and exploration, and you also don't mind asking for help. You know we're smart, and you are simply imparting knowledge to help us up the learning curve to catch up to you quickly. This isn't a competition sport, it's a team sport like buddies climbing a mountain together.

[@REDGardens]

Ok, you win the award for my favourite comment! Thanks for letting me know that I am on a good track with all of this.

[@kgarden8960]

Regarding watering at 4:10 I wonder if you could use "Flood and Drain"? Might not be viable if your bench is temporary, during plant raising only. Some years ago I considered Flood and Drain vs. Capillary matting, for the whole bench area in my greenhouse, and went with Capillary Matting, tucked into a reservoir along the bench. Whilst it worked well, and better than manual watering, it watered everything the same amount, and was too wet for many things, particularly in the colder months. So I am now going to switch to Flood and Drain. I bought some commercial benches - basically upside down U-tubes for legs, scaffolding poles along the length onto which a lightweight bench-frame sits (and can slide back/forth on the scaffolding poles to "borrow" space from the path). I will arrange it in sections, stepped, so that Flood of top bench can then flow into the next lower section, all the way down to the lowest. I will put the plants requiring least frequent watering at the top, and most-frequent at the bottom, and then I can choose to skip the watering at the top on some days, or flood for "shorter duration". I resent the time it takes to manually stand pots into a tray for bottom watering :)

[@REDGardens]

The flood and drain idea is an interesting one. I might set things up to be able to give it a try when I set up my new work/propagation tunnel. Interesting strategy to arrange things according to amount of watering, and then to use a cascading method. It would take some work to set up, but then save a lot of effort during the growing season. Thanks for the ideas.

[@princessoflogic]

I recommend the micro block

[@MarigoldTimes]

Bruce, when it's more difficult (7:06) to release the bigger blocks with the little block indent inside because of increased surface tension - I'm wondering if it wouldn't help to dip and / or shake the whole tool in a pail of water on a regular basis, and maybe let it drip a second or 2, as a simple way to keep it lubricated and rinse out the soil?

[@REDGardens]

Dipping it in water definitely helps with the standard dimple, but it hasn't seemed to help much with the larger inserts. It may be that I haven't sorted out the best moisture content, but I think the problem is suction, not friction. I'm thinking that drilling a hole in the top of the blocker insert might help.

[@MarlonVanderLinde]

You format is really inspiring, thanks a lot. Mmm, that bag says "pot grond", which is also our Afrikaans word for potting soil :)

[@REDGardens]

That is interesting. The compost I get is from Germany, so that kind of makes sense.

[@oscarcaballero8692]

So Informative

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@oscarcaballero8692]

I know the work it involves to make and edit videos very much appreciated.

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

One of the best garden tools I have seen. One question, how do you adjust the germination depth for small and large seeds: or don't worry.

[@REDGardens]

I only sow small seeds in these soil blocks. The larger seeds I tend bosom in pots.