I’ve been bottom watering when I notice them start to looking a little too dry. I haven’t Thad any issues with crumbling. As the roots grow, it will help keep the blocks together as well.
Man game changer wish I'd seen this before I bought some trays 😆 but man my next paycheck may just get one try both ways out I do seed start lot tomatoes could help just pick them up and up potting times faster
I have seen numerous other homesteaders/market gardeners recommending using soil blocks. As I am watching yours I realized I'm finally in a position to get one and use it. It was also motivating to see someone who just got it, using it easily and efficiently. Thanks for the info. Keep it up!!
I’ve been thinking of buying one for the spring, you convinced me to give it a try! Thank you for the demo…Great video as always! I hope you’ll give an update as you go!
Seriously considering getting one of these. Thank you for the video. Just wondering how long to you keep the plants in that size block before transplanting outside?
Cool. I can totally see how those can be a game changer. I had 0% (0!!) success with seeds for anything last year (1st yr). I want one and will use your link (thank you kindly lol) I did get a leaf mulcher this year. Had no idea such thing existed. Definitely a game changer, too. Thank you!! 😊❤️
Seed companies are already running out of some seeds. Get your order in sooner rather than later. My local feed and seed guy says it looks like shortages are going to be as bad as last year; if not worse.
What stops the roots from growing into the soul block next to it? I do not understand how they would air prune with constant moisture against the side of each block. Also, are you going to up pot into larger blocks for things like squashes?
Good question! Some of the roots will eventually grow into the next soil block. When planting, you’ll just pull them apart. Still very little root disturbance compared to plug trays. For things like lettuce, spinach, kale, I am not up-potting. For the plant sale I’m doing this spring, I will start all of my seeds in soil blocks and then up-pot to containers so I can sell them.
I have a soil block and I’ve never had any issues with roots from one growing into another. Watering correctly is more of an issue for me as I tend to over water.
Hi! Cool channel. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the soil block suggestion. Have you ever tried using vermicompost as your medium? I have two outdoor garbage cans ready to use if it is likely to work. Cute pup too!
Almost everything I have seen about seed starting suggests using loose soil with little nutrients to start seeds. If you use something as nutrient dense as vermicompost you run the risk of your seedlings getting leggy. I would think the best route would be to get the seeds germinated then on your first transplant start introducing more fertile soil with each additional transplant. Frankly I do not have enough experience to say that it will or won't work. I'm just regurgitating info I have seen elsewhere. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
@@patrickgoss1428 Thanks for the responses. Okay, my order came in for the mini soil block -1 3/8" squares (thanks!) and I don't think its entirely accurate to call it vermicompost if its just a garbage can of compost with holes in the bottom that I constantly rotate burying of kitchen scraps in. There are red wigglers (deposited 2 years ago) but lots of other soil life too. Whatever you call THAT is what I will be trying out. TBC.
@@BerkeleyFarms Hmm, I wonder if I can mimic "light" medium by not compacting it much and letting air pockets still exist (ie not packing too tightly) instead of mixing in Perlite or Vermiculite to achieve the same effect. We will see.
Oh, I’ll check my email this evening! I’ve had a lot of stuff go to my “junk” folder that shouldn’t be there. I need ti be better about checking it. Oh the joys of technology 😂
I got one for Christmas and I’m so excited. I got the mini and the 4 cell 2 inch. I’m a home gardener but if I really like it I will buy a stand up next year. Transplant and direct sowing time is so chaotic and time consuming, I would much rather put the extra labor on the front end. And I suck at getting plants out of cell trays. I’m most concerned about watering them.
How so? I’ve not run into any problems. Are you bottom watering? If you’re close to Central Arkansas, I’d be more than happy to pass my trays along to you!
@@BerkeleyFarms if you still have them, I’m located in central Arkansas and would be very grateful to take some for myself and pass some along to another friend who is newer to gardening. I really just got into growing food last year after discovering R&R and going to the plant sale. I was mainly container gardening in the suburbs of maumelle but just moved out to a more rural area and I’m hoping to expand my garden quite a bit! Thanks for all the info as well, very helpful! I think I may already follow you on instagram, but just discovered your YT channel from Jill’s videos!
I'd love to see the watering process and how they stay in blocks over time. I just imagine them crumbling flat if they're moved or handled too much.
I’ve been bottom watering when I notice them start to looking a little too dry. I haven’t Thad any issues with crumbling. As the roots grow, it will help keep the blocks together as well.
If you get the mix right then there's no issue. Don't handle them when they're wet though
what a concept!!! never seen soil blocks before but I am goin too!! wow thx!
We are loving doing it this way.
Hi friend execelent video
Thanks for watching!!
Man game changer wish I'd seen this before I bought some trays 😆 but man my next paycheck may just get one try both ways out I do seed start lot tomatoes could help just pick them up and up potting times faster
You should definitely give it a try! I’m loving this method :)
It's worth getting the different sized blockers
Absolutely!
Thank you I just learned something new 💜🌻💜
Thanks for watching!!
Thank you for sharing! I hope you are feeling well and that you get a little rest as we move into he new year!
Thank you! I’m feeling great!
I have seen numerous other homesteaders/market gardeners recommending using soil blocks. As I am watching yours I realized I'm finally in a position to get one and use it. It was also motivating to see someone who just got it, using it easily and efficiently. Thanks for the info. Keep it up!!
Same with me, how do u water?
Thanks for watching! I bet you’ll love it as much as I do!
I’ve been bottom watering when they start to look a little too dry.
i think its a great thing and I like your video
Thank you, Wade!
I’ve been wanted to try one so after seeing your video I may give it a go. Thanks.
Definitely give it a try! It’s not as intimidating as it seems.
Definitely give it a try! I think you’ll love it.
I want to try this! Very informative!🌱🌱
Definitely give it a try! Let me know how it goes for you.
I’ve been thinking of buying one for the spring, you convinced me to give it a try! Thank you for the demo…Great video as always! I hope you’ll give an update as you go!
I bet you’ll love it!
Loved the video! I just got a 2" soil blocker for Christmas. Looking forward to seeing how you plant them out. Or if you pot them up.
Will just plant all of the lettuces out without potting up. Hope you enjoy your soil blocker!
I have been wanting to start soil blocking bc is it more eco-friendly, you have definitely convinced me to just go ahead and buy one, thanks!
Yes! So many pros to this method!
Seriously considering getting one of these. Thank you for the video. Just wondering how long to you keep the plants in that size block before transplanting outside?
Depends on the plant. For lettuce, they stay in the blocks for several weeks and then transplant out.
Cool. I can totally see how those can be a game changer. I had 0% (0!!) success with seeds for anything last year (1st yr). I want one and will use your link (thank you kindly lol)
I did get a leaf mulcher this year. Had no idea such thing existed. Definitely a game changer, too.
Thank you!! 😊❤️
I’ve seen those leaf mulchers! So cool! It’s on my “wish list” of things to buy in the future.
@@BerkeleyFarms I have the Worx (something like that). So far, so good. I think it can pay for itself on contractor bags alone (4=2) lol
@@BecauseHeLovedMe1st I’ll have to check it out!
i am in zone 4 so ya i am think about planting but I got awhile before I even order seeds lol
Ah yeah, you’ve got a little more time before seed starting 😉
Seed companies are already running out of some seeds. Get your order in sooner rather than later. My local feed and seed guy says it looks like shortages are going to be as bad as last year; if not worse.
What stops the roots from growing into the soul block next to it? I do not understand how they would air prune with constant moisture against the side of each block. Also, are you going to up pot into larger blocks for things like squashes?
Good question! Some of the roots will eventually grow into the next soil block. When planting, you’ll just pull them apart. Still very little root disturbance compared to plug trays. For things like lettuce, spinach, kale, I am not up-potting. For the plant sale I’m doing this spring, I will start all of my seeds in soil blocks and then up-pot to containers so I can sell them.
I have a soil block and I’ve never had any issues with roots from one growing into another. Watering correctly is more of an issue for me as I tend to over water.
@@highlandscommunityclub1160 I like to let mine get a little dry before watering. I haven’t even watered the blocks from this video yet 😬
Those blocks don't fall apart when you go to pick em up?
Nope! By the time they are ready to go in the ground, there’s a good root system holding the block together. Pretty cool.
Hi! Cool channel. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the soil block suggestion. Have you ever tried using vermicompost as your medium? I have two outdoor garbage cans ready to use if it is likely to work. Cute pup too!
I have not tried using vermicompost. As long as it’s a light medium good for seed starting, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
Almost everything I have seen about seed starting suggests using loose soil with little nutrients to start seeds. If you use something as nutrient dense as vermicompost you run the risk of your seedlings getting leggy. I would think the best route would be to get the seeds germinated then on your first transplant start introducing more fertile soil with each additional transplant. Frankly I do not have enough experience to say that it will or won't work. I'm just regurgitating info I have seen elsewhere.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
@@patrickgoss1428 Thanks for the responses. Okay, my order came in for the mini soil block -1 3/8" squares (thanks!) and I don't think its entirely accurate to call it vermicompost if its just a garbage can of compost with holes in the bottom that I constantly rotate burying of kitchen scraps in. There are red wigglers (deposited 2 years ago) but lots of other soil life too. Whatever you call THAT is what I will be trying out. TBC.
@@BerkeleyFarms Hmm, I wonder if I can mimic "light" medium by not compacting it much and letting air pockets still exist (ie not packing too tightly) instead of mixing in Perlite or Vermiculite to achieve the same effect. We will see.
Sent an email btw (oh, and your reply didn't show up until today. First it said an hour ago, now it says 5 days ago. So helpful lol)
Oh, I’ll check my email this evening! I’ve had a lot of stuff go to my “junk” folder that shouldn’t be there. I need ti be better about checking it.
Oh the joys of technology 😂
@@BerkeleyFarms ugh, doubtful ur worse than me lol (thank you)
I sent you a response! Did you get it??
@@BerkeleyFarms no, can't find one
@@BecauseHeLovedMe1st is your name Cheri?? That’s who I got an email from and I emailed back.
I got one for Christmas and I’m so excited. I got the mini and the 4 cell 2 inch. I’m a home gardener but if I really like it I will buy a stand up next year. Transplant and direct sowing time is so chaotic and time consuming, I would much rather put the extra labor on the front end. And I suck at getting plants out of cell trays. I’m most concerned about watering them.
Such a good Christmas gift! You’re going to love them!
No thanks! Watering them is a pain! I'll take your trays though!
How so? I’ve not run into any problems. Are you bottom watering? If you’re close to Central Arkansas, I’d be more than happy to pass my trays along to you!
@@BerkeleyFarms if you still have them, I’m located in central Arkansas and would be very grateful to take some for myself and pass some along to another friend who is newer to gardening. I really just got into growing food last year after discovering R&R and going to the plant sale. I was mainly container gardening in the suburbs of maumelle but just moved out to a more rural area and I’m hoping to expand my garden quite a bit!
Thanks for all the info as well, very helpful! I think I may already follow you on instagram, but just discovered your YT channel from Jill’s videos!
Hey! Thanks for following along with us! Shoot me an email and I can hook you up with some of those trays for sure!