Ed . note : This article supplements a enceinte feature on growing a global garden in theSpring 2025 issueofNorthern Gardener .
grime block makes good garden sense for so many reasons . It ’s promiscuous to see why this method acting forseed startinghas been gaining lover over the last few years . This method acting compresses soil into a pot - less block . And yes , they really adhere together !
The supercharged plant wellness chance because the automatic melody pruning stimulates more ascendent maturation at the understructure of the plant . The more roots tightlipped to the main industrial plant , the healthier the plant . Also , no chance of roots circle around and around , because again , no pot to constrain them .
This tomato start grew separately from others, allowing for healthier growth and a much easier transplant.
Soil blocking public press add up in a few unlike sizes reckon on what kind of seeds you ’re depart . For example , use the insistence that puddle four 2”x 2 ” soil block to accommodate thirty - six soil blocks in a vulgar 1020 seed starting tray . Different companies sell different size , and most of them nest into the big size , as the press also create different sized seed - plant divots , anticipate dibber .
The joke to let the good soil blocks is starting with the best stain mix . Traditional pre - bagged seed commence mixes are hard to get to hold together enough , although if you have that and some compost you’re able to give that a spin , as I ’ve had some achiever there when I flow out of my grease blend for ground block .
Here ’s my recommended soil block blend …
The fun part: soil blocking with a very wet mix of coconut coir, peat moss, compost, and more!
I suggest soaking thecoconut coirand thewool pellets(if using ) for at least 2 60 minutes prior to making this blending . The coir will continue to absorb water and elaborate , and it can suck moisture away from the rest of the premix if not in full saturate first . If using peat , it ’s ok if it is a short ironical but not so dry out it repels body of water .
You ’re look for a consistence near wet cementum , much more pure than soil we ’re used to working with . And you ’ll want to have a bin or level - bottomed bucketful ( not too cryptical ) to work in , especially because when us norther gardeners are starting seeds , it will likelybe indoors !
You ’ll fundamentally make as much haphazard grunge into the pressing as possible , then press firmly down , compressing the filth and belike squelch out a little excess water . Seeing a little water escaping during the final press is always a good mansion for me .
A nice, slightly compact soil block after popping out of the blocker.
Then move the press to above the tray where you ’ll be part the seed and push out the soil block . They should protrude out quite easily . But no worries if one did n’t fill in or compact enough to hold together , you’re able to just scoop that one out and thrust the soil back into the main bucket .
But , since there ’s nothing like seeing the process , here ’s a look at what my soil stop workaday looks like :
Michelle Bruhnis a Minnesota gardener , author , verbaliser , local intellectual nourishment advocate and co - author of small-scale - Scale Homesteading ( Skyhorse Press , 2023 ) .
Soil blocks all lined up in neat rows with seedlings enjoying their space to grow.
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Tomato starts captured early on in their life cycle!
Brassicas also love the soil blocking process.
