If you’ve been thinking about trying soil blocking, you might have found that there are an overwhelming amount of soil-blocking recipes online. But which one is the best option for seed starting? I’ve experimented with several different recipes, so you don’t have to!
In this post, I’ll break down the pros and cons of soil blocking, the best recipe to ensure your soil blocks don’t fall apart, and my tips and tricks to get the most out of your soil blocking experience! Let’s get into it.
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WHAT IS SOIL BLOCKING?
Soil blocking is essentially the manual process of making soil blocks. This is done by packing a handheld tool called a soil blocker with a soil mixture (more on this below) and manually pressing that mixture into blocks. You can then plant your seeds in these blocks, place a tray of them under a grow light, and begin the germination process! With the proper technique, soil blocking can be a fun, easy way to seed start, which eliminates the need for various seed-starting pots and sowing trays.
healthier root systems are produced through air pruning and an increase in oxygen
no transplant shock–some plants don’t like to be bumped up in their seed containers or moved once they’re started. if you soil block, your roots stay in the same container, and it’s easier for the plant to climatize to life outdoors
the ability to start more seeds indoors
ease of transplant into the garden
reduced use of plastic containers
the ability to save money in the long run
CONS
the initial cost of the soil-blocking equipment
not ideal for larger vegetables like pumpkins or squash
can be a little more time-consuming than other methods
a sharper learning curve initially than traditional seed starting
Related: DIY Seed Starting from Your Window
WHAT SUPPLIES DO YOU NEED TO SOIL BLOCK?
These are the basic supplies to get started on your soil-blocking journey:
Related: How to Start an Indoor Herb Garden from Seeds
WHAT IS THE BEST SOIL-BLOCKING RECIPE?
I recently experimented with various soil-blocking recipes to determine which soil-block recipe would work best for my gardening needs. I tried plain potting soil, plain seed starting mix, the classic Eliot Coleman recipe, and a version of the Eliot Coleman recipe with coconut coir, a more sustainable alternative to peat moss.
While there was no clear winner, as you’ll see in this video, I did find that the best results came from ingredients that were as finely milled as possible. That said, if you don’t have much time, I suggest using a seed starting mix. If you’ve got the time, the coconut coir mix stands out as the one I will use again. I would stand by any of these mixtures, though, as long as you use the correct watering technique and tightly pack the cubes.
TIPS FOR KEEPING SOIL BLOCKS FROM FALLING APART
The best method for keeping ¾-inch soil blocks moist is to use a spray bottle. Misting soil blocks with water helps hold them together and prevent them from drying up and crumbling.
When you’re bottom watering, leave a space in your soil blocks to pour the water, so it doesn’t immediately hit the soil. If you pour the water this way, they shouldn’t fall apart. Be warned: if you pour the water directly into the center of the blocks, they will break apart.
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The most important ingredient to this mixture is the peat - Its Fibrous consistency is used to both bind the material together and help retain moisture. You can either mix your own mixture or you can buy a pre made mix for soil blocks.
Bottom water the soil blocks, but don't let them get soggy! If you overhead water, you risk the soil blocks crumbling. Once seedling has germinated and has a decent root base, overhead water can be done (if desired). It takes a bit of practice and watching to get watering down.
Mixing bitumen into the soil will make it more cohesive — meaning soil will stick together instead of moving around like dust. Additionally, bitumen soil stabilization reduces water absorption, meaning it can make the soil water-resistant or waterproof, depending on the ratios used.
Place a set of 20 blocks in your palm and break off as you plant. Plant blocks just deep enough to lightly cover with soil. Water transplants thoroughly, aiming for at least 1” of water weekly, especially in the first 2 weeks.
You can use a store bought mix, modify a store bought mix, or make your own soil block mix. For a store bought mix formulated for soil blocks, try Johnny's 512 mix. To modify a store bought mix, buy a very basic peat moss and perlite mix (most will already have fertilizer).
There are basically three methods for loosening the soil. Firstly, you can use equipment to break up and loosen the soil structure. Secondly, you can mix sand into the soil to change the particle sizes. And thirdly, nature has its own ways of loosening the soil, chiefly through soil organisms and plant roots.
The important thing is to use a seed starting mix that's light and fluffy, not regular potting soil. Most of the mixes you'll find use peat moss or coco coir as their main ingredient to bind everything together and hold moisture.
Fill a large container or bin with peat-free soil/compost. Use a mix that is well-draining but moisture-retentive. Add finely shredded wool or coconut coir to the soil mix. Aim for a ratio of about 1 part wool to 10 parts soil.
There are two main sizes of soil blockers that are ideal for home gardeners. Mini-blockers create half-inch blocks ideal for tiny seeds that need time and/or warmth to germinate. Standard soil blockers make two-inch blocks accommodating almost everything else under the sun!
Vermiculite is better for water retention, that also means in that moisture it retains key nutrients for your plants and cuttings to soak up. Perlite works better to help drainage, this means its also better for loosening heavy, compacted soil.
This is usually accomplished by running heavy equipment over the fill. On cut slopes ground water seepage causes undercutting and soil slippage. Controls can include: subsurface drains or a layer of crushed rock at the toe of the slope.
Since the soil blocks retain water better than peat pots or pellets, no special care is needed after planting. As the garden vegetables are plucked to eat, I replace the harvested items with new seedlings in their soil blocks.
Soil blocking is a seed starting technique that relies on planting seeds in cubes of soil rather than cell trays or pots. The potting soil acts as both the growing medium and the container. Soil blockers, which are often metal tools, are used to create the soil blocks.
These are called aggregates . Aggregation of soil particles can occur in different patterns, resulting in different soil structures. The circulation of water in the soil varies greatly according to structure, Therefore, it is important for you to know about the structure of the soil where you plan to build a fish-farm.
Aggregates are a part of soil structure and function
Each aggregate is made up of soil particles of different sizes held together by both the attraction of soil particles and the binding of organic matter between soil particles.
The plant's roots also hold the soil in position, which makes it harder to wash away accidentally. The soil is also protected from direct rainfall, as plants help break in the impact of raindrops before they hit the ground. This helps prevent soil runoff.
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