Seed Talk #22 - Soil Block Sizes, Plug Trays & Bumping Up Seedlings

Wondering if you should start your seeds in small soil blocks, large soil blocks, or plug trays? Should you start with a larger block size for seedlings that you plan on growing indoors for a longer period of time before transplanting? Today, Lisa and Layne discuss which types of seeds they prefer to start in soil blocks versus plug trays. They cover when and why they use small or large soil blocks versus plug trays, which seedlings get bumped up to larger soil blocks, and why starting in small soil blocks is beneficial - even for seedlings that will eventually get bumped up. Listen to the podcast, grab your soil blockers or plug trays, and get ready to sow some seeds!
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The “Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne” podcast is produced by The Gardener’s Workshop and co-hosted by Lisa Mason Ziegler and Layne Angelo. Lisa is the founder and owner of The Gardener’s Workshop, where Layne works as Seed Manager. Lisa is the award-winning author of Vegetables Love Flowers and Cool Flowers and the publisher of Flower Farming School Online, Farmer-Florist School Online, and Florist School Online. Watch Lisa’s Story and connect with her on social media. Layne is an avid gardener, seed starter, and engineer who loves learning and applying her technical knowledge to all areas of life, including gardening and growing flowers. Thanks for joining us!
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[@stacietaber8932]

Every time I watch I pick up on something new!!! thank you so much!!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

You are so welcome, Stacie! Thanks so much for watching and for the positive feedback 🤗 Have a wonderful day!

[@LookingupLuke2128]

Home gardener here. You saved me so much space! I’ve been starting seed in two inch blocker for years, however last couple of years I’ve started almost everything in 3/4” blocks at your recommendation. Now I can plant more!😮

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Yay - a fellow home gardener! 🙌 I agree - it is amazing how many plants you can grow in such a small amount of space using the 3/4" blocks! So happy you are able to start more seeds now than ever before 🌱 Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your blocking story! 🤗

[@cathymccall9199]

Good timing for this generous info refresh! TY!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for watching, Cathy, and for taking the time to leave a comment! 🤗 Have a fantastic day 😊

[@ginny.harrison]

Thank you for such timely information. I appreciate how much great information that you share. 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻🌻

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

You are so welcome, Ginny! Thanks so much for watching, and have a fantastic day 🤗

[@dvssayer5621]

Yes show us how to soil block!

[@gardengirl649]

Great info. Would you discuss what to do when you have a difficult seed and the block only has half germination. Should you lift the the empty blocks out and crowd the germinated ones together, so the empty blocks don't just grow mold or moss, etc? If so, what tools are best for that and could we see a demo? Thank you.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Great idea - I will include this question in one of our soil blocking episodes! Thanks so much for watching and for this topic suggestion 🤗

[@kimleclair8104]

I love the sessions with both of you. You are the perfect compliment to each other. ❤ Question: How do I handle the algae that has formed on the blocks? How do I prevent in the future? I am growing in a unheated garage zone 8a, coastal NC. Thank you. 🌱

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Kim! ☺ Blocks that do not go from wet to dry in a 24-hour cycle often have undesirable growth (like algae) on the surface. This can be caused by overwatering or cooler temperatures. Since you are growing in an unheated garage, I suspect the cooler temperatures are causing your blocks to not fully dry out, which is resulting in algae. The algae does not typically harm your seedlings, however overly wet conditions could make your seedlings more susceptible to fungal issues such as damping off. If you are just noticing algae and no other issues, I would not worry about it. I grow in a cooler space during the winter and actually have to leave my seedlings on heat mats (even after germinating) in order to get my blocks to dry out in 24 hours. (Leaving seedlings on heat mats after the seeds have sprouted is not standard operating procedure, by the way - just a modification I have had to make to suit my conditions!) You may find that your algae problem goes away once the weather warms up. In any case, just pay attention to the wet / dry cycle (aiming to have the blocks go from wet to dry in 24 hours) and do not overwater. Again, if algae is the only issue you are experiencing (and not other issues like damping off), I would not fret over it too much. Thanks again, and hope this helps! 💚

[@wbflowersvt]

This was great! I have never seen any info on how to care for your soil blocker tools so it will last and give years of good service. Seed talk topic?

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Fantastic idea! This would make a great "Seed Talk" topic 🙂 Thanks so much for this suggestion, and have a wonderful day! 🤗

[@brookestranberg4054]

🌻 Great episode, I am loving listening to you both!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much, Brooke! Your comment made my day 🤗

[@cbak1819]

Takeaways for me; for soil blocking, space saving..., money saving, less transplant shock, less water and wait to have them fully drink., uses less water, germinates faster ... Down side; you can't just leave them out side to harden off. I'm going to try putting a picnic bug shield over some and see how that works. Thanks Lisa and Layne❤

[@marthaduffy8386]

Always great info. I've been spreading the word about soil blocking with my garden friends because I love this method so much.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thank you, Martha! 🤗 I love soil blocking as much as you and spread the word whenever possible 😂 Have a wonderful day! 💚

[@barbaravanerp4598]

My new favorite channel

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for watching, Barbara! 🤗

[@amys.7112]

Thank you for the great information! Would love it if you could dive more into the soil blocking cutting 1/3 of the transplant time off in the soil blocking episode (with a real example). TIA!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks for this topic suggestion, Amy! I will include this in one of our soil blocking episodes. Have a great day, and thanks so much for watching! 🤗

[@dvssayer5621]

Great channel!!!

[@cogasawara1]

Lisa says you can shave 1/3 of the typical seed starting time off by soil blocking. Can I assume the instructions on the seeds from the Gardener’s Workshop takes this into account? For instance, if seeds from you guys say 4-6 weeks, I’m assuming it’s actually 4-6 weeks and I shouldn’t take a third of the time off? As always, thank you!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello! If our instructions say 4 to 6 weeks, a good starting point is 4 weeks if you are soil blocking or 6 weeks if you are using plug trays. I would highly recommend taking notes and recording how long it takes you to grow each type of seed to a transplantable size. Going forward, you can then use your own numbers instead! Hope this helps, and have a lovely day ☺

[@GrowingWhatIEat]

Awesome video. Just started growing myself and own channel.

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback! Wishing you a bountiful growing season 🤗

[@cbak1819]

Pansy germinated great multi sowing then I bumped up to 2" blocker and in a week and a half there roots started showing. 🎉

[@cindyjohnson6681]

Thanks for such an informative episode! You two are a font of information! What your advice is on how long you let seedlings grow in the 3/4" blocks without bumping up? For instance, many seed packets say to start seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Are you able to hold those kinds of seedlings in the smaller blocks and not bump up? Or because you have a longer growing season, you are able to plant them out, say, in four weeks? In my cold climate, I need that time indoors (or in winter sowing jugs) to protect those seedlings, but would love to just plant out from 3/4s! Thanks so much!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Cindy - we truly appreciate it! ☺ I am planning an episode on timing and will make sure we cover this topic 🌱 Thanks again, and have a wonderful day! 🤗

[@janjohnson1052]

I learn something new every episode!! Thank you

[@katyeloudermilk7580]

Love this

[@debragrubbs4067]

As always, just wonderful information.

[@AnnaJWinqvist]

Great episode! I was just wondering about the bumping-up process. 🙂👌

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Yay - perfect timing! 🙌 Thanks so much for watching, Anna, and for the positive feedback 🤗

[@judyandrews1605]

So, would you say to start the cool flowers that should be directly sown in fall, in plug trays for early spring planting (now) using the bupleurum method? I’m really having trouble with poppy seed germination. Only got one plant from fall sowing. Prolly watered them into soil. I’m trying poppy seeds in small blocks right now but only have 5 after 15 days. Spindly lil things! Sunflowers (warm flowers in general) sown in plug trays still get heat mats then grow lights? Zone 8a

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hey, Judy! You may want to check out "Seed Talk", episode 20 ("Cool Flowers Troubleshooting - Direct Seeding in Very Early Spring") for some tips on starting seeds indoors that prefer to be direct-seeded. You can definitely try the bupleurum method for your poppies, although note that poppies need light to germinate (so do not flip a tray upside down on top as you would with bupleurum). FYI, I just started some Iceland poppies in soil blocks and had excellent germination. The temperature in the area I started in ranged from 55-60F, and I did not use a heat mat at all. Due to the cooler temperature and lack of heat, my blocks did not fully dry out in 24 hours as they would normally, which may have also aided germination. I am not sure whether or not you used a heat mat, but if so, the seeds may have gotten too warm. Regarding sunflowers and other warm-season seeds, yes - use a heat mat and then move to grow lights once around 50% have germinated (or move outdoors if danger of frost has passed). Hope this helps, and have a lovely day! 🤗

[@MilliePat]

Totally agree had 100% germination in the mini block compared to 70% with 2 inch. The 2 inch blocks had more algae. I don’t use humidity domes😊

[@laurennelson4785]

This is my first year soil blocking. I’m using your 3/4 inch blocker and your soil blocking mix. I didn’t start fertilizing as early as I should have and my seedlings have been in blocks for 6 weeks but aren’t as tall as they should be to transplant. What should I do?

[@douglasdevan1466]

why not use a 1.5" soil block for peas, zucchini, or even eggplant, tomatoes?

[@juliamenkee8380]

Thanks again for the tips. I have uour soil blocker but need trays. Do you sell them?

[@dvssayer5621]

How do you keep rabbits from eating your little transplants!!!!

[@LayneAngeloTGW]

Hello! In a farm setting, hooping and covering with a lightweight row cover can help protect transplants from rabbits. Thanks for watching, and have a wonderful day! 🤗