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Discover the benefits of using soil block to grow healthy seedlings for your veg garden . larn how to make soil blocks with a simple soil mix and get expert cum - set out tip for warm , transplant - ready plants .
get your own garden transplants from seed is rewarding , but it can also come with challenge — especially when it ’s prison term to transplant your vegetables and herbs into the garden . I used to purchase transplants or start seeds in plastic cell ring , only to struggle with pulling seedlings from their halter container without damage the roots . Despite my best efforts , the plant often suffered from graft shock and took week to recover .
When I decided to grow more of my own transplants from seed , I discovered territory blocks — a secret plan - changer for starting strong , healthy seedling . Unlike credit card pots or tray , soil blocks provide a natural environment for seedlings to grow robust root system without becoming solution - bound . Best of all , transplant is a air — there ’s no mangling root word , and seedlings set up themselves quickly in the garden .
I first hear about grime stoppage from Eliot Coleman ’s bookThe New Organic Growerand was straight off drawn to their simpleness and sustainability . With just one filth blocker tool , you may make reusable , charge plate - free territory closure for years to total .
In this guide , I ’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started with soil block — from making the soil premix to sow seeds , watering , and growing seedlings that are quick to prosper in your garden .
What is a Soil Block?
A soil block is a cube of lightly compress soil and nutrients designed to grow one seedling . When the plant is ready to be transplanted , the entire block is plant into the soil — eliminating the penury to remove the works from a container . This minimizes root commotion , reduces graft shock , and allows seedlings to demonstrate cursorily in their novel environment .
grease blockers are spring - load up tools that pack together a grime miscellany into blocks and leave an indentation at the top of each mental block to engraft your seeds . These tools are uncommitted in different sizing , but I find the2 - column inch blockerideal for most of my needs . It creates four soil block at a clock time . If you ’re looking to clothe in a soil block maker , I recommend seeking out the Ladbrooke brand — it ’s durable and will last for many years .
Benefits of Using Soil Blocks to Grow Seedlings:
These benefits have made soil blocks an essential part of my seed - starting process , saving me time , reducing waste , and bring out healthier transplanting for my vegetable garden .
Soil Mix for Soil Blocks
The right soil mix is key to attain sturdy soil pulley-block that hold their shape and supply food for growing healthy seedlings .
I ’ve experiment with different mixtures over the class and found that as long as the mixture hold together when compressed , it will work well .
For a small batch , I ’ve settled on a simple , reliable formula using about 4 cupsorganic seed - start mix , 2 cupful screen compost , 1 cupperlite , and 1 tablespoonall - purpose granular constituent fertilizer . Mix thoroughly in a large container , and put in the grow sensitive in an airtight container until you are ready to sow in your ejaculate .
For turgid batches , you may want to make your own land mixture . The soil block recipe below has served me well for over a decennary .
Soil Block Recipe
Eliot Coleman ’s urge soil mental block recipe fuse peat moss , lime , coarse sand or perlite , plant food , compost , and soil . The ingredients can be easily find at your local garden essence . I have associate to reservoir online for examples .
habituate a 10 - quart ( 2.5 - Imperial gallon ) bucket to value the bulk ingredients and a standard measure cup for the small amounts . I like to mix and store the soil cylinder block mix in a 12- or 15 - congius storage tote , so it ’s quick when I need it .
fixings for Soil Block Mix :
guidance for Soil Block Mix
This recipe micturate about 8 gallons of soil stop admixture , which you could store in a sealed container until you ’re quick to utilize it .
How to Make Soil Blocks
Making soil block is simple once you have your soil blocking mixing ready and your supply gathered . The unconscious process involves shuffle your dirt block mix with piddle , compress it using a ground blocker creature , and forming the block in a tray .
Supplies need :
Step - by - Step instruction :
Step 1 : Prepare the Soil Mix : outflank the dry soil block intermixture into a categorical container , such as a dishpan . Slowly add together hot H2O , coalesce as you go . permit the mixture sit down for a few hours — or even overnight — to assure it absorbs as much water as possible . The soil mix should have a grain similar to monkey nut butter — moist but not sloppy . If it ’s too juiceless , add more water . If it ’s too wet and does n’t hold together , lend more teetotal mix .
Step 2 : Form the Soil Blocks : sight the prepared dirt mix into a heap that ’s about twice the height of your soil blocking agent tool . dunk the soil blocker into the mound , twisting slightly as you press down to guarantee the mixture fills the cubes tightly . Repeat this action a few time to pack together the soil soundly .
Step 3 : Release the Blocks : Scrape the bottom of the land blocking agent with a unbowed edge to flush off any surplus soil . Place the blocker onto your seedling tray , weight-lift the handle to release the grease blocks , and face-lift the prick cautiously . The blocks should hold their shape and feel firm to the feeling . If the blocks crumple , your admixture needs more water . If they slide aside or do n’t hold together , add more dry mix to adjust the consistence .
How to Start Seeds in Soil Blocks
come out seeds in dirt blocks is simple , and the result is warm , tidy seedling ready for your garden . Once your soil blocks are made and arranged in a seed tray , it ’s time to inseminate your semen .
How to Water Seedlings in Soil Blocks
mark the soil stop daily to secure they remain moist but not soggy . The boundary of the blocks will set about to lighten in color when they are drying out and need water supply . The end is to maintain even wet .
I ’ve constitute that bottom tearing is especially helpful when seedlings are small and fragile . It keep the delicate bow and leaf dry out , reducing the risk of infection of damping off disease and helping the soil blocks observe their shape .
How Long Can Seedlings Stay in Soil Blocks?
Seedlings can stay put in dirt blocks until they are quick to be transplanted into the garden or larger container , but timing is cardinal to celebrate them healthy and thriving .
As the seedling mature , their roots will by nature air - prune when they reach the edge of the pulley . This helps prevent root bond but also signals when the plants are outgrow the quad .
Larger 2 - inch blocks can put up seedlings for 3 to 6 weeks , depending on the plant ’s development rate . pocket-sized soil blocks ( such as mini ¾-inch pulley-block ) only support seedling for 1 to 2 hebdomad .
When to Transplant or Pot Up:
If you notice rootage stretch from the side or bottom of the block , it ’s a just augury that the seedlings need more room to maturate . Look for signs such as slow growth , yellowing leaves , or scupper roots .
I ’ve found that most seedling thrive in 2 - inch soil blocks until it ’s time to transfer . For longer - growing seedlings like tomatoes , capsicum , and Solanum melongena , I pot them up into larger containers filled with good quality potting mix to give them more space to grow a healthy root arrangement beforehardening them offand transfer them to the garden .
You ’ll make out when it ’s time to transpose your seedling because you ’ll see the roots reaching the boundary of the blocks .
Out of all the horticulture shaft and gadgets I have purchase over the years , I find this2 - in soil blockeris one of the most utile . A soil block maker is a cracking investment funds that will serve you well for many years .
Starting seeds in soil blocks is a keen way to grow unassailable , sizable seedling and simplifies the transplant physical process . By eliminating the need for plastic cell pots and advance air - pruned roots , dirt occlusion are idealistic for growing secure and healthy plants for your garden .
mention : This clause was originally publish in February 2014 and updated in 2025 to include additional gratuity , detailed program line , and new sections to avail you grow strong , healthy seedlings using soil blocks .
More Seed Starting Tips :
Good planning is key to a successful vegetable garden
Whether you are Modern to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years , you will benefit from some planning each year . You will feel everything you require to orchestrate and design your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook , Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden .
