This channel is SO underrated, I am so glad I finally found it last year! You are my go-to channel for the deeper dive into, and scientific information behind, all the perma-culture methods and such that I find online.
I don't know. Playing devils advocate here why do so many other "professional" gardeners that have been doing soil blocking "forever" tend to all make the 1/3 mix of compost, peat or coir and perlite along with variou ammendments? I love your presentation style but am just a bit confused withthe popular vote. They have done it their way with stellar success for a long time. Thanks for the information. Definitely something to ponder.
I can vouch for the simple soil block mixture. My best/most successul recipe is 50% peat moss and 50% compost both screened. They make perfect blocks and the compost adds a litte nurtrient value to the mix. With all the different recipes it can get frustrating finding the right mix, keep it simple! This is the second year using this mix ratio with great results in both the 2" blocker and the 3/4" blocker. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley, I wonder if your end on YT allows you to check to see where my last comment was, a couple weeks back I think? Check for a link, I forgot where it was. I know you're very busy so may have missed it. But I found the coolest thing I've ever come across whilst aimlessly lost down a YT rabbit hole... And I think you would find it very interesting yourself as it's an account of soil science by farmers wisdom from the 1800s, it's found in the Library of Congress (I think it's called) In the States, all uploaded online for viewing 500+ pages, the link I sent you was for page 300-ish +/- I just did a swoosh scroll at first and that's what page opened and I was so excited it was on gardening/farming! It like the ultimate 'How Too Life' manual ever written. The only way it could have been better was if I had stumbled across o hard copy!
If you click on your account on the top right of the page, there is an option in the drop-down menu called 'your data in youtube', in there it is possible to find your own comment history! Just make sure if you have multiple google/youtube accounts that you are logged into the right account (went wrong for me when checking) or you might be just as confused as me where all your comments went
This was a really good video. I *finally* understood why a growing receptacle has to correspond to the size of the seed. And really good info on soil blocking too. Might do for next year
Wish you would have posted this a few weeks ago, would have saved me a lot of experimentation. First time using a 2" soil blocker a few weeks ago. Started some luffas, cardinal climbers, 4 O'clocks and morning glories. I did use my 40-40-20 mixture of my aged compost, leaf mold and worm castings, I screened it down with a 1/8th inch screen, but I do not think it was necessary. Tried to put the blocks in a standard 10X20 tray but they just kept tipping, so I went out and picked up one of the basket weave trays to place the blocks on, it worked. The soil block seedlings are doing better than the same seeds started in trays. Plan on starting my melons, squash and cucumbers in a few weeks. I was going to use for my tomatoes, but I had not figured out what I was doing at that point. I did have some issues of the blocks sticking inside the blocker, I found dipping the blocker in some water helped. Enjoy your videos! Stay Well!!!
Good video and very detailed except this is a video about soil blocking and you so vague about the blocking sizes you were speaking of. I presume 'single' refers to 2", regular is 1.5" (link provided) and tiny is the 3/4". There appear to be 1" available.
I wish I had watch this when you first post it. I have been doing this backwards is what I just learn. The only problem I am having with your vids is all the new questions I now have. Learning from the right source now, looking forward to the new proper way of starting my next crop. Thanks for the great education on this topic. Have a Nice Day!!!
Excellent, Ashley, thank you! Haven't tried blocking yet, but I'm really glad to know that air is the enemy of seeds. I would've thought that compacted soil would make it harder for seeds to grow, but now I know different. This might explain why some of my seeds failed a couple of years ago.
Only recently was told about Soil blocking.. total newbie here… got myself a Mars hydro grow light and have another on order. Got a shelf unit in the garage and am trying to get some plants started. I am too late to try this but in the future I’m leaning this direction for everything going forward
Great video! One of the few that doesn't make the process look like a magic potion brew! I started soil blocking last spring. I love making them, and my seedlings did well. I used a potting mix last year, but this year I am using equal parts coir and peat moss. I did add some vermiculite, but may need to rethink that after watching your video. We still have a couple feet of snow on the ground, with more coming, so I have plenty of time to get seedlings going!
You did not say whether the tray was placed on heat mats, whether some type of cover was placed over the soil blocks, how the blocks are watered and how close the lights were to the blocks.
In the past I was thinking of trying soil blocking. But the cost at that time made it impossible. I now use newspaper pots for the most part. Not sure what the added benefits would be.
I might try this method and roll out soil balls by hand. Maybe try that first? Otherwise, I usually use newspaper pots for air pruning and have good success with that.
@@basicbaroque I wonder if you could use a tray for the bottom, a cardboard box for the border and then a smaller box to compress the soil? Then a large knife to divide into squares.
I've been making soil blocks on my farm for nearly 30 years. I use a slightly modified version of Eliot Coleman's recipe. Totally disagree on the use of perlite, coarse grade is essential for proper block structure for 1.5" blocks and up. I use fine germination mix for 3/4" mini blocks. You also don't need to give them extra space for air pruning....what you do need to do is transplant them on schedule. Also, use the dibbles they come with, you're making an unnecessary extra step. The water amount is critical for forming blocks, but your mix was way too wet. You should be able to squeeze water out but it shouldn't be a sloppy slurry. If it's too wet, it's too hard to compact them properly. I use the large stand up blockers and make hundreds of flats every year.
