I like that sifter. Where did you get it? Love that you can use it over a five gallon bucket. I’ve never used soil blockers. Thanks for sharing how it’s done. Thanks for sharing friend.
I purchased the sifter from The Gardeners Workshop. If you have their app downloaded, the shipping is a flat rate of $9.95 on the products. If you decide to buy one somewhere else, be sure it’s a 1/4” sifter for best results. The Gardeners Workshop is the only place I could find that sells the 1/4” sifter. Thanks for watching Renee!
Sometimes on things I know I don't need much of I use my scraper to make a little space in the middle of the 20 blocks so I can just have 10 plants of each variety.
Hi! I’ve actually done that too but totally forgot to mention that in the video. I’m glad you made this comment so others can read it for that info, thank you!
Bobbi, do you remember the size mesh your soil-sifter has, or where you purchased it? I've never made (or planted in soil blocks) but it looks like a really cost-effective way to start seeds. On a related but totally different topic, there is a ton (or more) of lava rock ground into the topsoil around my house and property. Do you have any suggestions on how to eliminate the bulk of it? The only solution I can think of is to DIY a screen to sift the rock and soil by using wood for the frame, and 1/2-inch hardware cloth as the screen. Of course, I would have to hire a couple of strong young teenagers to do the heavy lifting because there is no way this old lady can do that by myself. I hope you and your sweet William have a great weekend. ~Margie🤗💚
Hi Margie! The soil sifter/sieve I have is 1/4 mesh. I should have added the info on ordering it in the description. I’ll be sure and do that! As for the rock in your topsoil, the DIY sifter sounds like a good plan but a lot of work! Would adding compost help? If the lava rock is ground up, does that hinder planting? I think I would weigh the cost of paying someone to sift and remove it verses adding compost and trying the mix it in. Without actually seeing the area, it’s hard for me to say. Lava Rock is inert and won’t hurt plants but I guess if it’s in larger chunks, that could be a problem. I’m sure you will figure out a good solution that will work for you! Wish I could help more!
Thanks Bobbi for the update. I have never done soil blocking. Do you do this for all of your seeds? It is something for me to think about. Have a great day!
You’re welcome Debra, thanks for watching! I start most of my seeds in soil blocks. I usually start larger seeds such as Pro Cut Sunflowers and Zinnia in reusable cell packs (I get the ones that Burpee sells in Walmart) Soil Blocking is definitely worth looking into. It really does make a healthy seedling and it’s nice to not have to use so much plastic!
Do you leave the mini 20 until time to plant outside or do you up pot to 2” blocker or another way. I just purchased the mini 5, which is 1 1/2”. Have not had it long and so far no germination. I have to learn patience.
Hi! I try and plan the timing of when I sow seeds in the mini soil blocker so that I don’t have to pot up. Occasionally I have to pot something up to the 2” blocker but for the most part, I do not. The only plant I’ve had to pot up in recent years is Eucalyptus. If it is a larger seed such as sunflowers, zinnia, marigold etc, I sow them in the 2” blocks or cell packs. I grew a few veggies in the 2” soil blocks as well. Patience is definitely important when we sow our seeds! I wish you well with your seed sowing and gardening!
Hi Joyce! Yes, it is definitely more cost effective to mix your own recipe. Last year, I used Coast of Maine Compost, Peat Moss and the nutrients. However, I also used Fort Vee like I did in this video and I purchased it on Amazon. Here’s the recipe breakdown if you want to mix your own: 16 cups sifted peat moss or coco fiber, 4 cups sifted compost, 1/2 cup blocking nutrient mix (greensand and rock phosphate). When I use the Fort Vee, I do not mix any peat moss or coco fiber with it. Fort Vee is a good medium for soil blocks if you don’t have that many to do. It’s a bit on the pricey side. Hope this all makes sense!
@@joycearthur5244 I just saw where Gardeners Workshop is selling the Fort Vee Compost on their app and on their website. The app offers a 6oz bag that makes 400-600 3/4” soil blocks. I believe the shipping is $9.95 on their products other than seeds (the shipping is free on their seeds through the app).
@@GardeningOnTaylorMountain Thank you, that’s so sweet of you. I have a bag ordered and going to give another try at soil blocking. My biggest problem in the past is them drying out.
Have never tried soil blocking but it looks like an efficient method, now the fun part... filling them with seeds. 😊
Hi there! Yes, it’s definitely efficient and cost effective! The Snaps I sowed in these blocks are starting to germinate, Yay!
I like that sifter. Where did you get it? Love that you can use it over a five gallon bucket. I’ve never used soil blockers. Thanks for sharing how it’s done. Thanks for sharing friend.
I purchased the sifter from The Gardeners Workshop. If you have their app downloaded, the shipping is a flat rate of $9.95 on the products. If you decide to buy one somewhere else, be sure it’s a 1/4” sifter for best results. The Gardeners Workshop is the only place I could find that sells the 1/4” sifter. Thanks for watching Renee!
@@GardeningOnTaylorMountain thanks.
Sometimes on things I know I don't need much of I use my scraper to make a little space in the middle of the 20 blocks so I can just have 10 plants of each variety.
Hi! I’ve actually done that too but totally forgot to mention that in the video. I’m glad you made this comment so others can read it for that info, thank you!
Bobbi, do you remember the size mesh your soil-sifter has, or where you purchased it? I've never made (or planted in soil blocks) but it looks like a really cost-effective way to start seeds.
On a related but totally different topic, there is a ton (or more) of lava rock ground into the topsoil around my house and property. Do you have any suggestions on how to eliminate the bulk of it? The only solution I can think of is to DIY a screen to sift the rock and soil by using wood for the frame, and 1/2-inch hardware cloth as the screen. Of course, I would have to hire a couple of strong young teenagers to do the heavy lifting because there is no way this old lady can do that by myself. I hope you and your sweet William have a great weekend. ~Margie🤗💚
Hi Margie! The soil sifter/sieve I have is 1/4 mesh. I should have added the info on ordering it in the description. I’ll be sure and do that! As for the rock in your topsoil, the DIY sifter sounds like a good plan but a lot of work! Would adding compost help? If the lava rock is ground up, does that hinder planting? I think I would weigh the cost of paying someone to sift and remove it verses adding compost and trying the mix it in. Without actually seeing the area, it’s hard for me to say. Lava Rock is inert and won’t hurt plants but I guess if it’s in larger chunks, that could be a problem. I’m sure you will figure out a good solution that will work for you! Wish I could help more!
Hi Bobbi, I’ve never done soil blocking but may try it. Thanks for sharing 😊❤️
Hi Vicki! A garden pro like you would like soil blocking, I feel sure!
Great detail in this video Bobbi - thanks for sharing♥
Thank you! This is definitely the condensed version of the original video. I like soil blocking and I’m always learning something new!
Thank you. I really want to try these
I hope you do! I think you’ll like soil blocking!
Thanks Bobbi for the update. I have never done soil blocking. Do you do this for all of your seeds? It is something for me to think about. Have a great day!
You’re welcome Debra, thanks for watching! I start most of my seeds in soil blocks. I usually start larger seeds such as Pro Cut Sunflowers and Zinnia in reusable cell packs (I get the ones that Burpee sells in Walmart) Soil Blocking is definitely worth looking into. It really does make a healthy seedling and it’s nice to not have to use so much plastic!
Do you leave the mini 20 until time to plant outside or do you up pot to 2” blocker or another way. I just purchased the mini 5, which is 1 1/2”. Have not had it long and so far no germination. I have to learn patience.
Hi! I try and plan the timing of when I sow seeds in the mini soil blocker so that I don’t have to pot up. Occasionally I have to pot something up to the 2” blocker but for the most part, I do not. The only plant I’ve had to pot up in recent years is Eucalyptus. If it is a larger seed such as sunflowers, zinnia, marigold etc, I sow them in the 2” blocks or cell packs. I grew a few veggies in the 2” soil blocks as well. Patience is definitely important when we sow our seeds! I wish you well with your seed sowing and gardening!
@@GardeningOnTaylorMountain thank you for replying. This morning I am seeing several blocks that have germinated. Makes me happy.
@@arvellataratuta2150 Oh yay! That’s the fun part when we see those little babies being born!
Do you find it cheaper to mix your own rather than buying the mix from Gardener’s Workshop?
Hi Joyce! Yes, it is definitely more cost effective to mix your own recipe. Last year, I used Coast of Maine Compost, Peat Moss and the nutrients. However, I also used Fort Vee like I did in this video and I purchased it on Amazon. Here’s the recipe breakdown if you want to mix your own: 16 cups sifted peat moss or coco fiber, 4 cups sifted compost, 1/2 cup blocking nutrient mix (greensand and rock phosphate). When I use the Fort Vee, I do not mix any peat moss or coco fiber with it. Fort Vee is a good medium for soil blocks if you don’t have that many to do. It’s a bit on the pricey side. Hope this all makes sense!
@@GardeningOnTaylorMountain Thank you
@@joycearthur5244 I just saw where Gardeners Workshop is selling the Fort Vee Compost on their app and on their website. The app offers a 6oz bag that makes 400-600 3/4” soil blocks. I believe the shipping is $9.95 on their products other than seeds (the shipping is free on their seeds through the app).
@@GardeningOnTaylorMountain Thank you, that’s so sweet of you. I have a bag ordered and going to give another try at soil blocking. My biggest problem in the past is them drying out.
@@joycearthur5244 I agree! I bottom water mine once a day. They are pretty thirsty by the next morning!