Image: www.johnnyseeds.com

This is the second year that I’ve used a soil blocker to start my garden seeds and I have to admit–I’m hooked.

A soil blocker is a tool that can be used to make blocks of soil. The benefits are numerous.

You don’t need individual pots, which is healthy for the environment and your wallet. The plants grow stronger and healthier. When the weather is right, you simply place the soil block and seedling into a hole in the ground. The roots remain undisturbed.

So how do you do it and what do you need?

You need good soil to make soil blocks. You can purchase this soil at your garden center, online or you can make your own. The key is a good mixture of ingredients to keep the soil block held together and offer nutrients to the new seedlings. I use Vermont Compost Fort Vee mix. Next year I might try to make my own.

You also need a soil blocker, trays to put your blocks in and water.

I purchased a 2 inch soil blocker at Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

I make sure I have a good amount of time to dedicate to soil blocking before I start. I put my soil in a wheelbarrow, add water and mix until the soil is wet enough to clump but not so we that it is runny. It’s best to add a little water at a time. If you’ve added too much, you either need to add more soil or let the soil dry out.

Then I insert my soil blocker into the mound of wet soil and give it a good press and a twist. This helps to compact the soil. I simply press the lever and end up with 4–2 inch blocks of soil. Each block has a divot on the top to place a seed in.

As the seedling grows, its roots help to hold the block together. I place these 2 inch blocks, with seedlings, into larger recycled plastic pots as the plants grow. Next year I plan to purchase a 4 in blocker that will hold my 2 inch blocks and growing seedlings.

Seed starting with soil blocks is exactly the same as regular old seed starting. It’s just a greener (and easier) way to start your seeds.

See our article Seed Starting 101 for more information on how to start seeds indoors for your own garden.

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