Making Soil Blocks 

I would suggest setting these soil blocks on a cheese cloth, then let the cheese cloth overhang into a bowl of water. This minimizes damage to the soil blocks when watering, allows the blocks to stay at a constant moistness that isn’t too wet. I’ve found it to be the most successful watering method. Hope this helps!

The logical and optimizational traits you express while discussing your continual processes of trying to improve the garden is absolutely amazing.

one of the best gardening channels but so few subscribers - its a mystery

Wonderful! You have answered all of my questions about using this method clearly, both pros and cons as you have found it. I have subscribed!

I found that the idea of using a soil blocker was a lot better than the reality. I don't doubt that one can learn to make it work -- once you've built the frames to hold them; developed a watering technique; mastered the soil consistency; and developed the right soil mix. But after a while, I just didn't think it was worth it. I'm glad I got to see someone else struggle with it. It will be interesting to see whether RED gardens continues to use one down the line.

I’m an experienced gardener and had never heard of the ‘blocker’ tool that you’ve highlighted so well. Yet another Awesome video mate. I’m constantly being educated watching your videos. Keep em coming. Thank you SO much.

I have absolutely zero interest in soil blocks, but I knew your video would provide very useful information still yet. Just awesome. Thanks.

Thanks for making these. I find so much value in not only the videos, but also the comment section. Your making some solid videos thank you.

I've used one of these soil blockers for three seasons now and I really appreciate it. I also made scrap wood trays for them and found them best for moisture retention. I don't use micro blocks, but have occasionally popped a seedling into a vacant block by carefully widening the dimple with a toothpick and getting it muddy again. I have around 200 blocks in the polytunnel right now ready to go out, and plan to make a few more yet. Top tip: for crops prone to root fly, mix in some diatomaceous earth into your soil block mix. This discourages the flies from laying their eggs at the base of your young plants.

Dip your soil blocker tool into a bucket of warm water between pressings to clean it, get the soil blocks out easier and the warmth helps with the seed germination a little too. The reason for the little blocks going into bigger ones is also so that you can choose the healthiest and strongest seedling.

I just invested in this system this year and there is a learning curve with them. You need the right mix right water everything for them to work. The minis are more difficult as well.

Best video I've seen on soil blocks. Thanks!

I use misters in a green house with plastic trays on tables, (drainable trays) You can get different heads that determine the spray distance. These are on timers. We hit them with water that's treated with A/B liquid fertilizer and is Ph regulated. It's all automated. From the nutrient injection to the multiphase temperature regulation. It's a bit Overkill. But what I do recommend is misters on timers. What you are doing could be better for a smaller farm though. :)

This is, by far, the best video I have seen on soil blocking! I have the 4" Maxi blocker, too. It uses a little less soil than the 0.7 gallon pots, and the plants seem so much healthier in the blocks. You explain everything so well!

I use two of the blockers and they are a blast to use LOL. I saw a video where someone used a cloth diaper to line the crates and kept in continuously moist by hanging it over the edge into a container of water and I am trying that this year but it's too early to tell. Love this channel. Your newest subscriber, from Ottawa, Canada.

I think it's quite likely that the reason it's taken me forever to know this channel exists is because of some Google ranking having to do with making money! But now that I found it I'm really happy I did.

The best video I have seen yet on making soil blocks

One of the smartest gardening channels on RU-vid watched by some of the smartest gardeners around RU-vid.

This was extremely helpful. Thank you

I had seen soil blocking before, but not the micro one! How cool is that thing!!!

Fantastic video. Feel I am ready to get started. Thanks.

This is just what I was looking for. Saw some info about soil blocks that made it look so easy. It's refreshing to watch someone actually give detailed information on how to make it work successfully. Subscribed. And shared✓

This is the best video that I have yet seen on this technique.

Very nice video, I just ordered on type this morning..

Awesome video, thanks! You saved me a ton of time with trial and error. God bless!!

My new favorite gardening channel

Very comprehensive video. Thanks so much.

This tool is a perfect gift for a gardening friend!

Hi there. Thanks for trying new things and sharing your knowledge with all of us also for being concerned about the environment. I feel like making a small hole at the bottom of the larger cube insert might solve the suction issue.

Making Soil Blocks good

I’d like to give these blocks a try sometime. They look really convenient!

I find your way of speaking reassuring. Like you're confident in your discomfort caused by the experimentation and just fine with it, and so should we be fine with ours. You know you're at a certain level and you know may be further along than me, and you don't mind sharing the expertise that you've gained through experience and exploration, and you also don't mind asking for help. You know we're smart, and you are simply imparting knowledge to help us up the learning curve to catch up to you quickly. This isn't a competition sport, it's a team sport like buddies climbing a mountain together.

I'd love to hear more about your seed starting/garden planning!

This is something we may have to try this year

I ordered a set of micro (20 cells) and the large one (4 cells) with the inserts yesterday and then your video pops up 😁. Really looking forward to using these. By the way, when trying to extract them if you place it in to the tray you keep it tight to the bottom and press down on the handle so it squashes the soil a bit more then lift the lever and they should come out fine.

Great video, did not even know there was a premix! May have to drag out the old blocker. I struggled with them falling apart in the past. If you nail down a recipe please share with the class :)

trying yi use my soil block more vyt totally agree abiuy the watering of them.

As always, I really appreciate your videos. I always get something out of them.

Thank you!

Great video as always. Already waiting for this spring's videos Cheers from Barcelona

Very informative, thank you!

Just put in an order for my very own soil blocker. Can't wait to try it!

Thank you for sharing this technique. Experimenting different ways to use soil blocks. Very helpful for us to use this tools in an effective way. Hope i can use this tool for my project on my channel. Again thank you very much

the micro block looks so cute 😍🌿

Always enjoy or videos.

Perfect video! Explaining everything and to the point. Thank you

This was incredibly useful. Many thanks

The quality of your videos is top notch!

please keep us updated as you come up with better ways to use soil blocks. I've always wanted to use them, but I do all my seed starting indoors and they're hard to keep air pruned properly

Amazing. Thx

Thank you very much, this was incredibly informative. I can’t wait to give this a go with my Soil Blocker!

This is great for those of us with limited cover space, much better than trying to juggle untold pots and half-empty trays. Too bad they are quite expensive for small scale gardeners - I will try to make a simple wood mould instead.

matthewfarnell puts the blocks on a cloth that is hung into a basin of water which constantly soaked.

Excellent

I like the soil block also.

this was a helpful perspective on the soil block. I've had good luck using plastic paint trays with microfiber towels as a capillary mat. While this adds plastic back into the system, the trays are small enough to allow you to selectively control the moisture of different seedlings and the microfiber does not encourage mold like a cotton or some other capillary mats (and they are re-usable and cheap). I set the blocks directly on the microfiber but you could set a mesh bottom tray (like the one you have) on top of a this microfiber capillary mat and simply lift the tray a few times each week to prevent roots from growing into the mat. I use a mix of compost, peat moss, and perlite (or vermiculite) with cotton seed or alfalfa meal fertilizer. I try to time the planting so the seedlings get out into the garden before they outgrow the blocks. (when you start making you own mix you may like the cube inserts, the mini cubes save a lot of germination space on the heat mat and under lights).

Great video, Bruce! You reminded me I should go press some soil blocks :) I would be very interested in a follow up on making your own potting mix for soil blocks.

Wow, thanks for the video and all the info.

Way to go Bruce. See if you can get hold of some compressed coir bricks. When you rehydrate that stuff it goes great into a block mix, and makes your premium potting mix go further. Plus I reckon the seedlings don't even know they've been transplanted, and don't skip a beat. I think the tiny ones are best for tricky and really tiny seed - and I just put them straight out - don't bother putting them up a size. Good luck for a gentle, successful season! Great video.

Our local commercial nursery (delfland.co.uk/) uses soil blocks for their tomatoes - and others. I find the system fascinating, but our plot does not really warrant one. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of the Swedish Homestead book and make my own. Thanks again for a very interesting and timely video. Wishing you all success for the coming season.

regarding the difficulty of squeezing out the soil blocks owing to surface tension or suction (9.10), try dipping the soil blocker in water first to lubricate the insides.

dip the blocker into a bucket of water before you use it to ensure the block comes out clean.

Very grateful for your content

I invested recently in soil blockers and I am very impressed with how the process works. The biggest issue I have had is getting a mix that clings together and is viscous enough to avoid blocks that fall apart.

This is great info - I will have to invest in a soil-blocker!

This is your best video yet by far. I wondered about the pros and cons of the soil blocking technique. Are the plants more resistant to transplanting shock? Are they healthier? What about the yields - are they affected by soil block vs. plastic pot or tray vs. direct sowing?

Thanks - this looks really interesting I can’t wait to give it a try in spring 2021.

Very informative and well produced video!

EXCELLENT!!!!

I absolutely love your videos and your presentation of them. You seem very honest, and honesty to me is Paramount. I wish you the very best in your gardening Adventures as well as your personal life. SUBSCRIBED

Hey, that's a Dutch bag of potting soil! Great video btw. love those block makers.

as always, great video and excellent explanation.

Thanks for sharing ur experiences.

Great info, thank you!

I recommend the micro block

I bought a soil blocker this Spring. I had a lot of trouble getting the seed starting mix to form no matter how much or little water. It was very frustrating. Also they didn’t want to release from the blocker very well. Then some fell apart while putting them in place. I hope you or someone can come up with a seed starting mix formula that works good. Thanks for your video.

Very interesting method.

Beautiful work !

Sounds really usefull, i Will try the blocks...Will have into account the air pruning

just want to point out something, if you're mixture would contain less water and have some extra fine sand in it, it would also stay together and take up water much better. When pressing with a mix that wet, when dried it forms a wall as you see this with compacted ground that dries fast after heavy rainfall.

Super.

So Informative

What you need is a wooden tray with dividers for the blocks, 8 × 4 blocks per pray would be plenty, while you're at it make the trays stackable so you can get more of them into less space

Adding a draft angle to the micro block inserts can likely reduce the suction preventing the soil blocks from leaving the tool.

Fantastic informative video!!! Thank you very much for sharing!

Hey Bruce another great indept highly informative vid...ty🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Wow. Interesated men. Thanks

Great video, thanks! Quick question: How long do you leave the soil blocks soaking in water? Do the soil blocks fall apart if you leave them soaking too long?

Very innovative!!!

Fantastic video sir!

Thanks, this video was so helpful!

Hey Red hope you're well. Soil blocks are awesome but I have stopped using them in favor of fabric pots for seed starts. You still get the air pruning action but it retains water much better. I cannot attest to which method is faster and as with anything it's got its ups and down. The biggest downside for me has probably been with transplanting; if you transplant when a bunch of roots have already grown through the fabric then you end up having to rip them. So for this has not damaged the plant or stunted it's growth, but it does take a bit more time to free the plant from the pot. The smallest sturdy reusable ones I have found are 1/4 gallon but prefer to use the half gallon ones. I wanted to stop using blocks just because it seemed to be taking too long but I'm not even sure fabric pots are faster. Since the fabric pots are bigger than the 2 inch blocks, the plants get much bigger so procrastination is offset considerably. Yes there are bigger blocks but it seems easier to just be able to drop soil into the pot. Thanks for the content and Happy Gardening!

I wish I could figure out which way I want to go before buying a lot of junk. I like the way you customize and seek the best solution. You might try copper sheet on the bottom of one of your trays for heat transfer if you use heat mats. It would be interesting to know if the chemistry hurt, helped or no difference. Copper is anti-microbial. Aluminum may be a better choice all around. The micro block inserts look to cause too much friction. In the molding industry(essentially what's happening) draft is used on molded parts to ease them out of the mold, breaks suction/friction. Usually 3 degrees. Didn't notice any angle on the inserts. They could be sanded slightly to help. I like the super commercial trays/block things but they are for mass planting. Maybe I'll saw them into quarters.

There must be a machinist here who would make him a delrin block with a slight taper to allow easier release of the block ??

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge & experience but IMO biodegradable peat pots are a much simpler & easier managed option than soil blocks for the small scale or occasional gardener. I would be interested in the design of a mold for DIY peat pots that utilizes a combination of cardboard/paper mache & peat. As regards keeping the soil blocks separated perhaps putting them on top of a sheet of thickish waste cardboard and inserting cut strips of such cardboard separators between the blocks would minimize the root disturbance & prevent drying out between blocks?

Thank you so much 🐝

I use a sieved multipurpose compost with perlite about 30% by volume with about 3% fish blood bonemeal and put them in a long tray I got from Dutch manufacturer which has channels, I fill these with water, I can't remember what the manufacturer is called but they are very light and flimsy trays made to hold 84 cell trays which I would not recommend. Anyway, these blocks can last about 6 weeks, which is plenty of growth before transplanting.

A press for turning shredded paper into fuel logs looks exactly like the kind of thing you could use to make larger planting bricks. A normal brick press would probably make them too tough for the seeds to root properly.

We love our soil blockers. We start almost everything in the micro blocks, but we're nowhere near the scale of your gardening operation so keeping on top of tending them is perhaps more feasible. I wrestle with use of plastic/synthetics too, but until we get a greenhouse it's unlikely that we'll be able to move to building our own wooden trays as we do all of our seed starting in the house and want to contain the moisture better than wood would enable. I have no problem keeping our seedlings watered in their trays by leaving space along one long side of the tray, and being very careful about pouring water in. The "waterfront" blocks transfer water to their neighbours until the whole tray is more or less watered, plus there are always some rows of blocks separated from their neighbours that let the water in too. However, again, that's likely do-able for us in part because tho our garden is quite large, it's not at the scale of your plots. Watering carefully enough to minimize erosion of the "waterfront" blocks, at the number of flats you must have, might be a bit much. I'll keep your technique of floating trays in mind! Love the idea. I had no idea you could buy a premade blocking mix - we just mix up a growing medium of whatever we have handy, usually mostly sifted compost from last year's pile (fall leaves & kitchen scraps & garden waste), maybe some sand. One year there was a bag of composted manure around... one year there was a bag of peat. One year there was some vermiculite. We just accept an occasional bit of crumbling around the edges, which is mostly a "problem" when making the 2" blocks to transplant the micro blocks into. Even then, it isn't a terribly big deal in my view (again, for my scale of gardening). If a seedling's roots in its micro block seem a little exposed by a gently crumbled corner of the 2" block that is its new home, I sprinkle a little soil on the exposed roots and keep going.

Great channel and content !!