Thousands of Seedlings! Mini Soil Blocks and Ranunculus Extravaganza! 

Lots of comments about the mini soil blocker and my bad technique, so I'll leave a bunch of notes here. First - I don't actually like the mini soil blocker. I know lot of people swear by it, and it's the only thing they grow in, so there is lots of great info online about how they are great. I'm just adding my personal "meh" to the conversation. I've owned the mini blocker for many years, because I accidentally bought it thinking I was buying a larger size. For veggies, I find it almost completely useless - there are very few things I would waste my time starting in such a small amount of soil, and then needing to pot them up after a week. But, I can see the use for flowers, with so many being slow growing, and therefore able to start in smaller space, and that is why I used the mini blocker in this video. I like larger soil blocks. I use both the 1.5 inch blocks and the 2 inch blocks, and find them fairly simple to create. But the mini is different - with it being so small, if it doesn't fill completely, the blocks end up being such small amounts of dirt, that it seems like there is no point. I've tried many different techniques for just pressing the blocker down into the wet dirt, and no matter what, it always leads to loose blocks on the outside edges which can start to dissolve when watering. I'm sure if I kept at it, eventually I could perfect the technique - but like I said, I don't actually like the minis, and I don't actually need to use them all that often, so for now, I'm sticking with finger packing the few I do use, because then they are at least even and serve my purpose. It takes about 10 minutes to do a large tray this way. Reasons I dislike the mini blocker 1) The blocks are too small - I'd rather just use a 128 tray to start, or to broadcast seeds on open trays or channel trays, and then prick them out into individual cells once they grow on. 2)They dry out too fast. I place the blocks quite close together so that they can hold some moisture into the blocks. But the speed that they dry out is crazy. I know I could hold some moisture in by using a dome, but I hate domes, so I'm not going there, lol. 3) They grow algae. I almost never get algae on my seedlings, but I almost always get it on the mini soil blocks. I think it has to do with over watering them (you know, because they are always drying out so fast) but I also don't like them enough to figure it out. Reasons I like them 1) They don't take up a lot of space. But, I also have space, so this point doesn't tip any scales for me here on the farm. 2) They are very easy to transplant. I have 200 plastic trays, and I rarely use them because I hate pulling out the mini plugs. I only grow plants I can abuse in those trays, and I literally empty them by turning the trays upside down and smashing them against the ground over and over again (not recommended). The grown out soil blocks are much easier to handle. There are incredible ways to use the mini soil blocker, and if you are looking to get inspired, I highly recommend checking out Lisa Marie Ziegler, because she uses it with mind blowing success. But, it also depends on your system, your personal growing struggles, and your equipment. Mini soil blocks are never going to play a leading role on our farm. Most items that other farmers mini soil block for we will actually be direct seeding. And, we don't have the same space constraints that other small flower farmers have, that make it so mini soil blocks solve major problems for us. Finally, because we have invested into veggie growing infrastructure, we have different efficiency tools that make it so soil blocks have a limited role. I'll alway do a few, but one of the fun things about sharing our farm on RU-vid is being able to show different systems, and different ways that a farm can run. There is no right or wrong way.

I’ve seen people have the soil on a flat surface, press the soil in with the flat surface, and repeat until it’s full. Watch The Gardeners Workshop you are making it harder than it is. Love your channel 🌸🐝

My grandma used to run a greenhouse, and for those very small seeds she'd sow in a bottom tray of soil, and then pluck them into a regular tray when they'd germinated, seems like it saved a lot of time and effort.

I bought a sturdy paint rolling tray for making my small soil blocks this year and it seemed to make it go quicker and easier. I smash it into the bottom filled with soil and run it up the textured side to help pack and get rid of excess soil. I look at the bottom and scrape the sides before I pop it out. Can't wait to see the flowers!!!

Picked up a tip from another youtuber - flat bottom as others have mentioned but then use a trowel (like you would use for drywall) to do the finish step - can apply pressure as they flex and it gets rid of the hump in the middle. Still need farm muscles in the hands :)

I think they're super fast, but I dont hand pack each cell. For the small soil blocks you need to push down on them so better to have a shallow container, with a firm Hard surface. I find it works better, then just using my fingers.

Happy to see you embrace sponsors … you blended it well and your channel deserves the boost. Great video!

Pulling the baby corms away from the big corms is sooo satisfying.

LOL!!, When Serena was making soil blocks and said - "to get this damp soil" for a split second I thought she was gonna say "d--m", seriously, I laughed out loud because I figured even though she would never say it, she might be thinking it!!! And laughed again when Ian said there was no quick way to make them and then imediatley turned the camera on fast forward, I cracked up'cause I thought, looks like it's going pretty darn fast. So nice to see you working together toward the new season. Enjoyed this one. Go ranunculus farm!

It was exciting to see all of the ranunculus you saved from last year. Those are going to be extra beautiful just for being “free”!

Your cut flowers are beautiful! I get hard work. Your fortunate to be able to work as a team. Great blooms for you! The videos are very enjoyable and full of great content! Thank you!

This post is a month old but for those watching, I just take a shallow plastic bin and firmly press the potting mix into the bottom at the depth of the soil blocker. Then I can just push the soil blocker down, move it over my seedling tray, pop them out and it makes great tiny blocks. Soil blockers are a game changer. It does work with the bigger block maker as well

I’ve resorted to sifting out my potting soil when I’m making my smaller blocks. The chunks of wood I’m finding lately are quite large even for the larger blocks. I end up collecting the wood chips and sprinkling them around my perennials. Those little blocks are fussy but what a great space saver! Can’t wait to see all the ranunculus!

I love you guys, but I'm only 10 minutes in and this is maddening 😂 I love these mini blocks, but I would NEVER pack them by hand 😳 a low tub or large flat surface, push and twist, push and twist, pop out 🤷‍♀️ I make trays of 220 in 5 minutes or less. Now seeding, I haven't figured out how to make that any faster 😆

On another channel I saw them attach a long handle so they could step on it & it made the job go 5x’s faster. Worth a looking into

All of this time spent working hard will pay off with beautiful flowers. Happy to hear you still have fun with the work aspect of it.

It’s okay that you don’t like using the mini soil blocker. Not everyone has to do things the same way to get to the same end point. Do whatever works best for you!

Hi Serina! I like using the tops of Rubbermaid totes too! Mostly I use them as trays for containers, such as 4" containers when doing cuttings on Dahlias, Geraniums, things like that. Another tray that I use are boot trays. I just buy those at Dollarama. I never seem to have enough trays and always seem to be spilling water. Great video! Thanks for posting to you and your Hubby. Eileen 🍁🇨🇦

One of the things I LOVE about your channel is that you don't just talk about sustainability, you LIVE it. So I love that you are using those tote lids. I do too! And they'll last forever. So you don't ever have to buy a replacement. I do not use mini soil blockers (or any soil blockers). So I don't have an opinion on those. I mass sow in plastic mushroom and spinach tubs. Something you obvs cannot do on your scale. And the paper pots I learned from you gave my warm up sketches on newsprint a new life, rather than going straight into the trash. Now they go into the soil. :) You're a great example. Thank you!

This is a superfun video to watch. Made me happy to see you both starting the season again and I feel inspired with your joy. I shall cross my fingers and pray for a much better season for the two of you this year. And loads of ranoncles!

I do the exact same thing with the lids such a great idea thanks for sharing all your ideas

We started our seeds this week too! Can’t wait to see your progress this year. I always love to see how y’all grow as humans and farmers:)

I hope those gorgeous gold ranunculus have a really great sprout rate!! Those are so gorgeous 😍

This was super fun to watch this morning and it was a treat to see the fast forward on these seedlings last night during the live!! I always like the music you choose keep up the good work.

I love the mini blockers as I can get so much more started on my heat mats. I use a spatula to smooth out the bottom of the block after I've packed the soil. I also use latex gloves which gives me better manual dexterity. As for dropping the tiny seeds, nothing works better than saliva on a toothpick to grab the seed (something in spit magnetizes the seed although I don't know why) and then just "swiping" the seed into the hole. Once everything is in, I use a colander with large holes and I 'sift" dry soil over the top of the tray of blocks. Mist and you're good to go.

I find it a lot easier making soil blocks on a flat firm surface, like a potting tray. You can then push it down into the potting mix and press/rub it firmly against the surface until you see moisture squeezing out the top of the blocker. I wouldn’t have the patience to put the soil and press it in by hand. It only takes me a few seconds per soil block

Thank you for video, all the best guys.

I'm going to do soil blocks next year (for most things, not everything) JUST for the simple fact that I think it will save me SOOOO much time when it comes to transplanting the seedlings out in the field! With cell/plug trays you have to carefully pop them out of a tray, & then dig a decent size hole, I think just picking up a soil block & having to dig such a small little hole, will be a lot easier!

Awsome video as always!! Cannot wait to see your rows of ranunculus this spring!! 😍

I finally just tried my first soil blocking! Love it. Thanks for sharing your experiences here with us, you've inspired me to start a RU-vid channel :)

Soooo excited to see all the blooms!!!!

I’ve always wondered about that size soil block! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Use an old casserole dish or a cement plastic trough! You can smash the soil blocker down into the soil against the bottom and scrape excess off on the sides. Goes much quicker than hand packing it in

Really enjoyed this. Tremendously informative.

I never soak ranunculus and they grow just fine. 🌺🌻🌼

Good to know that I'm not the only one eagerly staring at soil on a daily basis!

I'm excited to start my ranunculus! Inspiring video!

You guys are so inspiring 💜

Cannot wait

I'm going to do this on a much, much smaller scale today as well 😉 Keep on sowing 👍

Dude, I am so pumped for your flower farm this summer!!!!

Your little girl is adorable.

Bright colors are your 'competitive advantage' :)

protip for the soil blockers of all sizes, I despise them, but use them, The plastic concrete mixing bins, they're inexpensive and have two sloped sides so two of you can me making them at the same time. Scoop mixture, slide it up the sloped side to compact and wack them out.

I like the idea of using the lids for soil blocking.

Nailed it again 💕.

Spring is coming! And the ball starts rolling. Soon the farm will come alive. I'm very impressed with ALL that ranunculus! Many viewers will be very envious...I am not (well, maybe a little) cuz I can not grow ranunculus in SW FL.

Loved this video.

Totally liking the idea of using the Rubbermaid container lids

Put the soil in wider flat bottom container. Then maybe you can just press the blocker into the soil. Using flat bottom instead of hand. Those are tiny tho....

Better to have the 'fussy' part before there are seedlings to hurt in the mix! I am looking forward to getting soil blocking! Also great idea about the lids!!!!

Love the videos, just wanted to suggest using seed starting mix as it's better for the seeds than regular potting mix which might dry out faster. Also you DEFINITELY don't want potting soil if it has fertilizer mixing in, it will burn the little roots. You may already know these things but wanted to share anyway. Easier Gardening = Happy Gardening :) Who am I kidding.. if it's not easy I'm still doing it hahahaha

Ohh, I've been doing the exact same thing today, using my newish mini-soil-blocker! As you say, the mini blockers are very finicky indeed. Maybe my peat-free compost component was a little fibrous, but the only way I could get a decent mould was to press in each block-hole, repeatedly. Pushing down on a hard surface did absolutely nothing. But, a fairly zen activity, especially while listening to an audiobook!

This is my favorite time of year! I LOVE seed starting season! ?I just don't love having to transplant the hundreds & hundreds of seedlings 😒)

Serena, i am using a mix I've made from the Johnny's recipe. I use a hard flat metal cooking pan. I am also using coco coir which means I do have to compact a bit more, but it is much easier than what you are doing. I can do a video for you if that would help. I have hundreds of seedlings already growing in the mini blocks. Considering I don't sift my soil or compost, it's working well

I’ve seen other flower farmers use a wider container for the soil and you actually press the soil blocker into the soil. Maybe you can try that if it will make things easier.

Have fun with your new growing season :)

Love the song for "Golden Things"

Looking forward to colorful summer:)))

I wish I had the space to start more seedlings. In mid March I will be starting veggies and flowers inside to go in our small unheated greenhouse in mid April. I do have a heat source but will only raise the temp minimally so a hard freeze means bringing everything in the house and protecting them from the cats!

I have both the mini and the 2" thinking I would like them. I do use them but I also use my 72 count cell trays a lot more. I also start my tomatoe and pepper seed in solo cups and then repot up after they have grown enough to pot up.

I'd love to hear more on how you store the corms over winter, when you pull them out of the soil, how you do that etc.

I think I would make a dirt "packer" to work with the soil block. I see it in my head. Wood base with wood square type pegs that fit in each soil block opening, securely sticking up from the base. Either adhere to a table or use by hand to pack the dirt in with one press. I think if it was secured on the bench it would work better and speed up the process.

Love gardening I think once you start you cant stop we have a big nursery by that plants all the seedling that such a hepl if you got no place to grown your seedling

Seeing your comment made me almost rethink my comment but I thought it could be useful. I’m not a gardener but I was think since the seed needs to be on top wouldn’t it be easier to keep it upside down, drop in the seed, pack and then press out and the seed will be there on top and ready to go. Just a thought 😁 Good luck!!

you should watch garden answers video on how she pre-sprouted her ranunculus it might make your life easier

You're the experts: I've decided to start my new perennial flowers inside instead of scattering them in the gardens (I prefer easy :) From Zone 7.

And this, my dear professionals, is why I am happy to just buy petunia seedlings. I do prestart tons of dwarf marigolds and alyssum and I love my perennials.

I have lost soooo many of my ranunculus 😭 I invested in 500 ranunculus & anenomes this year for the Flower farm & for my landscape. (A lot of the fancy Italian ones!) I made the mistake of presprouting them before my hoophouse was built & I ran into some issues with it. Some of the parts weren't working correctly to hold down the plastic, etc. So I had to order more, but they won't be delivered until mid April & that's probably going to he far too late. Our springs get super hot, super quickly as well.

For starting small seeds I prefer dense (broadcast) planting in a shallow tray and pricking them out for re-potting to the mini soil blocker. Being an old fart, I remember farmers used blocks with their garden soil because that was all they had. Now it's become a "trend" to get you to buy something. Also, I spied a Little Caesars pizza box. Didn't know they were in Canada ?!?! Love their deep dish with veggie topping!!!

I was considering getting a soil blocker so thank you for sharing your pros and cons regarding your mini! I tried out fabric bags for seedlings and am not too happy with them 😅

Put the soil on one of your trays, and jam the soilblock into the soilpile, very easy

I use a 4x4 square pack. I put a hearty handful in and then sprinkle the seeds in top. I cover or not cover depending on seeds and it works super. I either direct plant in ground or separate depending. Stuck in my ways 🤷

When I have 200 trays I use a kabob stick . I put holes in to drop the seeds and when the plants are ready to be transferred I use it also...pointy part makes it easy for everything

Hello great video may I ask where did you purchase the ranunculus corms ?

Great Video ! I'm designing your seed starting area and curious what your sink drains into since you have dirt going into the drain. Does it drain into just outside or septic or what?

Thanks guys for another great video 😊 Are you doing any succession planting on the ranunculus or did you plant them all at the same time?

When do you pull your ranunculus from the bed to save the corms (sp?)? Could you save tulip bulbs each year as well? Thank you!!!

Have you ever aerated your water while soaking ranunculus? Either by using a fish pump or using running water. Unicorn Blooms and Van North usually provides mesh bags that come in handy for this.

I just love, love your videos, farm, actually everything. Color of your bouquets is just stunning, how I wish you are in our neighborhood, so I can enjoy the beauty in our house. Questions: I saw you use both tray with 72 cells and soil blocks. How do you decide which method to us. Thank you.

Hey Serena, when do you start your dianthus? Commenting from NS and this year will be my first year growing dianthus from seed.

Pls do a video how you collected them

I was wondering if you sieved the mix first whether it was easier to fill the blocker. I looked at buying a soil blocker and watching you fill it really put me off, since they are quite pricy. There is a great video How to Make Soil Blocks | I Made a Wooden Soil Block Tray | Spring 2021 which give a do it yourself soil block maker. I am going to experiment with putting potting mix into a tray and simply using some cardboard to make plugs.

Love the channel and you both. But omg, the soil blocking had me pulling my hair out. Yall where on your soap box....I thought you'd never jump off!!!

I would put the wet potting mix on your stainless counter top and grab soil and press it down, 3 times, one last check with hands, and press out. If your blocks fit better in the trays, high vertical sides, with less air space, they would dry out less. I know you don’t especially like them but you can better your time efficiency.

What is the advantage to using these mini blocks vs. sprinkling seeds and pricking out the young seedlings? Do they have a higher survival rate? Better germination? (and grow, little octopi, grow! Yay for ranunculus!)

Hi, i'm new on youre channel but i love it, very much usefull info, thank you ! I want to ask if is possible to answer when do you pull the ranunculus out of ground, immediate after you harvest the flowers or you leave in the grownd a long time. Thank you again.

What about using the plug trays for the seedlings but using a plug popper to get the plants out? Johnny’s has one. Soil blocking the tiny ones looks painfully slow! Also Bootstrap farmer has some up to 200 cells.

I'd echo using the technique from Lisa Zeigler from the Gardener's Workshop. Also, it'd be helpful to use a tool (an old potato masher, a putty knife, etc.) to scrape off the excess soil. How promsing to be able to replant all of those saved ranunculus corms!!

been fussing with one of these, seems easier to be just using a small flat of seed starter (one thing I am trying is cut off bottoms of paper lunch bags) and just old fashioned pricking (removing a spoonful of seedlings and planting them on. I did just for kicks start some tomato seedling in these and tried putting them over to 2 inch blocks and totally meh. I agree with your choice of plants to use small trays or blocks for ,

Please consider checking out the gardeners workshop Lisa mason Ziegler she has so many videos of how to properly fill the soil blocker! Watching you guys fill the soil blocker was so painful because you’re making it harder on yourself! Work smarter and not harder! Use a 1020 tray or something shallow which you surely have laying around to charge your soil blocker…love you guys but this one was tough to watch! I don’t want anyone to think that soil blocking is this time consuming because it’s not. Making 160 soil blocks takes less than five minutes…

Just watch more RU-vid videos about how to use the blockers. You don't pack them by hand. You press them them down into the soil mox with in a flat bottomed bin. rocking them back and forth to press the soil into all the blocks.

Our flower seeds germinated really well and then several of them died probably 50 percent. I notice your grow lights are higher above your plants than ours. Is there a certain height the grow lights need to be above the plants and is the height different for vegetables and flowers?

Have you ever thought of getting the seeder machines that use different sized templates and low air suction to pick the correct amount of seeds and drop them into a seed tray? I don't know what they are actually called but I use to see them used in the flower greenhouse I worked at. You just poured on the seeds and pushed them around on the tray and they settled in the holes then you turned on the suction and poured off the extra seeds and placed the machine above the tray and turned off the suction and the seeds fell into place. It had different templates for different sized seeds

😍😍😍

Hi I would love to try this soil block but we don't have things like that in south africa I've be doing seedling but just can't get the going I've did alot seedling years ago it got alot no greenhouse and no room

No criticism here, it looked painful with the tiny blocks. The trick to using them with ease is all about the soil. Equal parts sifted peat and sifted compost, get it wet, and press the blocker into the soil. It’s lightning fast actually but I can see that it would be incredibly difficult with soil that’s full of sticks and large pieces.

Omg. Your hair is so wild

What did You sow?

You need a small piece of 2x4 to hit it against, you will go faster