Soil blocker

My version makes a block just shy of three inches square. I also have some that are original size and they all work well.

Still working on the composition of my blocks but feel like I’m closing in on my favorite recipe, I think.

There are of course proven recipes that can found online, however the ingredients are not available locally for me.

So I’m working on using what I have on hand or can find cheaply. Much of the ingredients being mixed in are recycled materials that would otherwise be tossed into the compost pile.

I’m hopeful that I’ll eventually be able to use my compost for this instead of store bought potting soil.

It seems the potting soil I have on hand is not good for onions. So I’ll need to figure out if it’s lacking something as I’m ready to start my onion seeds.

I currently have six blocks made up, I am trying some onion seeds, hoping my mix will work for them. There are some anaheim peppers, tomatoes a nectarine and a potato.

This coming week I’ll get serious about making blocks and filling pots to start plants to sell.

I had a potato that had an eye that was about an inch long, I broke it off and stuck it in a soil block. I’m not real happy with the block but it’s holding together so far and the potato vine is growing. In the picture you can see a root and a leaf starting to form.

I haven’t had much luck with potatos to date, it just gets too hot too soon here. I’m hopeful this will be a game changer for me.

There are of course pros and cons to soil blocks so you’ll have to decide if they make sense for you. If they make sense I encourage you to give it a try.

Pros. Air pruning of roots, stops plant from getting root bound. No more plastic pots, no transplant shock.

Cons. If you have to buy a soil blocker they can be a bit expensive, however they will likely pay for themselves over time. Especially if your selling plants. Also they may dry out a bit quicker and need to be watered from the bottom.

Pooring water on the tops may cause the blocks to break down or dislodge germinating seeds that don’t have enough root to be anchored to the soil.

I’ve read you do not need to cover the seeds and can just drop them into the indentation formed by the soil blockers dibbler. This may be true but I still cover mine with soil.

You’ll probably also want to figure out some sort of plactic cover to help hold moisture in until your seeds sprout.

I’m of the opinion that you could find a square plastic container or even an old tin can, cut out both ends and use that to mak a soil block. Just be careful as there will be sharp edges.

Basically anything you can compact soil into and get it back out of in fact should, at least in theroy work okay, if your wanting to try soil blocking but don’t want to buy a soil blocker.

Good luck and may all your ventures be met with success!