I’m a bit premature with this one for sure but I’m gearing up to start my seedlings. I waited last season until I was supposed to have. However much of what I started last season from seed failed to produce.
We had a pretty toasty Summer and it just got too hot too fast, so while I had excellent plant growth, they just didn’t set bloom. I don’t know of anyone around here that actually had any real luck with tomatoes.
I did have one cherry tomato plant that went crazy and put on lots of tomatoes. They were good too, I fail to understand the difference. It was around the same size as the rest when I put them all out.
What you see above is what I will be using to start my seeds this year, I figure with the larger sizes I can start them a bit earlier and they shouldn’t get root bound. Or at least I certainly hope not.
The plants for sure will not get root bound with the soil blocks as they air prune. I tried a couple last year but they were not big enough to hold much moisture and dried out pretty quick. I’ve worked on my soil mix and think I have it pretty well figured out. Weather permiting I will use my new improved, larger soil blocker and see what comes of it. Of course it’s snowing here as I write this.
If your not sure when to start your seeds this map may help you.
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
I do have a flat of beets started already, the reason being is I had put a 50′ row out in the garden and none came up. So I decided to see if my seeds were any good. Almost every one sprouted, so now I have around 60 beets chomping at the bit to be put outside. I’m of course hoping I can keep them going until it’s safe to transplant outdoors.
There are also lots of ways to start your seedlings and no doubt you’ll have tried one or more by now, unless this is your first time growing, most that I have tried have left me wanting for something better to be honest. I’m hoping the soil blocker is all I hope it will be.
It’s a modified design of one I found the stl for on http://www.Thingiverse.com. The latest one I 3D printed is a little over twice as big as the original and I made one that will form two at once.
I’d considered buying a commercial blocker but for my current budget, they’re a bit pricey for now. If I can make money with selling plants then my view may well change.
Along with selling plants and growing a food fotest, I’d like to start a market garden to have a steady income.
Best of luck to you in your ventures, make sure to study up on what your growing, at least a little bit. The more you learn the easier things become.
Slocum's Creak 