I literally made one of these out of the blue super quickly the other day to show my wife the benefits of soil blocking, lol. Grabbed a 1" coupling from the shop, and a 1" chunk of steel rod (it's what I had on hand!), and pressed out a couple blocks. I then told her I could make them any size she wanted with pvc and caps, and could even put something on the end to make a divot for seeds. Imagine my surprise when I found this video today, and another guy on the site with a true DIY heart along with it lol. Cheers brother!...and thanks for sharing!
This is a great design. I made the 2" blocker as shown, plus a 1-1/4" blocker with 20% of the soil volume of the larger one. In both cases, I find the soil volumes more satisfactory (bigger) than their commercial soil blocker counterparts. Also, I was glad to learn your soil recipe. This saved me a lot of bother because I discovered I can get great results with off-the-shelf Jiffy or Promix with 70% peat moss content, and it's pH-corrected. Altogether, this soil blocker is superior because: you can compress the heck out of the blocks so they won't fall apart easily, the cylinder shape is more durable than cubes, and you're far less likely to get roots crossing over to adjacent blocks. Just great. Thanks Steve!
4 роки тому+8
I am a teacher, from Guatemala, land of migrant caravaners......, well its the starting point before entering Mexico...., I will surely teach this wonderful skill of yours to my students. Best wishes, I have subscribed, and expecting for more tips to go.
It’s surprising. You’d think with the hundreds of millions the U.S. sends to different Latin American countries that it’d help with poverty or help keep there to better their life. It probably ends up in politicians Swiss bank accounts just like Africa.
Oh my gush thank you so much. I am just starting planting for this season. I have been thinking of ordering a block maker. The $50.00 dollar with shipping is a lot for a person living on SSDI. So you coming up as a suggestion was definitely good luck. The only thing now, I need a mix recipe. Thank s.
This is the best DIY soil block maker I've seen yet! I could see myself mqking a smaller one for the tiny seeds then transplanting them into the bigger blocks!
Update: I'm getting excellent germination with these soil blocks. Here are 2 tips: * For growing peas, place 5 peas on the soil in the tube just before plunging/pressing the blocks. The peas are visibly embedded into the top of the pressed soil block. I am getting near-perfect germination rates with this method. * In Canada, Jiffy-Mix Premium Seed Starter has the ideal consistency for making blocks. (Promix HP's vermiculite and other particles are coarser and the blocks don't hold together as well.)
This is exactly how I wish I thought about my father when I was young. I do remember all the times I had my chances to learn just slip away. You are very wise. Keep learning!
Brilliant design. Thank you so much for sharing. I can also see how you can easily adjust the divot size by using different sized round wooden blocks between the end of the cap and the nut. This would allow you to match the divot to different sized mini-soil blocks.
I use plastic disposable drinking cups with holes drilled in the bottom ranging from 9 ounce to 24 ounce cups. I can use them for several years and I don't have to worry about the soil falling apart when I water the plants.
I made one of these too and it’s working great. But I’m wondering why you bought a 1” pvc pip got a 1 1/4” cap and how you made it fit the small 1” pipe? I just used a 1 1/4” pipe and cap. Anyway thanks for sharing as it really saved me some money. I’m not into mass production so one soil block at a time is good enough for my needs.
They sit side by side to kind of support themselves and you water them from the bottom, so if they are compacted correctly, they hold together better and better as the roots grow.
So, "as luck would have it", I literally just ordered my soil blocker last night. :( I got Letter E, the Ladbrooke 2" for $19.50 at the Greenhouse Megastore. But, darn it, your invention is ingenious - I love it. :)
Greetings, thank you so much for video and saving us money - really appreciate it! Very creative! Can you make a quick video showing us how you prepare your soil. Thank you
One thing I don't understand about soil blocks in general, when you water your seedlings..how does the "pot" stay together. Do they not get soggy and fall apart? You just use peat and perlite as your mix?
Please keep in mind that this video was produced a while back but yes I still use both Peet and perlite in my my seedlings mixtures. I like to use perlite in all my other plant mixtures also because it keeps terific drainage. As for the fall apart issues, you are correct in saying normal watering(not a spray bottle) does tend to make some blocks apart. I fold two things that prevent this issue. First, let your Soil blocks dry before placing them in trays. Second, when thoroughly dry stack them tightly in the drip tray you are using. Like seedlings tend to grow at the same pace so when you are ready to transplant, transplant all the pods at the same time. I almost forgot about this video. Thanks for watching and best of luck whatever planting method you use. Just never give up. Gardening is a very good skill to know and share. Share your success. Peace
If you have the proper soil mix and wet it adequately, it won't fall apart. Only peat and perlite will not supply either enough nutrients or the "hold-together power". My recipe calls for 3 parts peat 3 parts compost 1 part perlite or vermiculite 2T green sand 2T rock phosphate 2T dried blood These last 3 ingredients are preferred but not essential. I picked up mine at our local co-op and perhaps even Home Depot carries them. But, as I said, they are not essential. The compost supplies enough goodies for the emerging seedlings to prosper. I mix all the dry ingredients in a wheelbarrow, then start adding water. It takes quite a large amount of water to make it roughly cottage cheese consistency. When I can make a ball that does not fall apart when I throw it up in the air and catch it, then I know I am where I need to be. Hope this helps. I've been using this mixture for 3 seasons and am very happy and so are my seedlings :)
brkbkrl - one more thing, I always place my blocks in a tray and water them from below and let the blocks soak up as much water as they need. You can spray from above, but that is too time consuming and always a guessing game. Below is the way to go.
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks. 6 cups of Peat Moss 4 cubs of compost 2 cups of worm castings 2 cups of perlite 1/4 cup of blood meal 1/4 cup of bone meal 1/4 cup azymite 1/4 cup of green sand 1/4 cup of rock phosphate Mix while it is dry.
The peat moss holds them together. This was one of my worries when I first used them....if you have made them correctly the peat moss and compost make them pretty tough. You can water from above or the bottom. The roots will go down the sides and come out the bottom to the water. If you water from above and its too much then the water drains right how and is in the same spot where it would be if you watered from the bottom.
Great method. So i made some blocks and have started germinating. Looks like some while fungus is appearing around the edges if the blocks. Im a worried. Should i be ?
I can't give you a specific answer but vaguely would assume the problem may indicate too much water. If this is the case fungus or mold probably won't hurt your seedlings and may be less noticeable with letting the blocks dry out a little more between watering. Try experimenting watering schedule with a few samples. Once you plant your seedlings the problem should go away. I hope that helps. Good luck and don't give up!
That’s a great idea. The only downside I see is that with the round shape there’s airspace between each one so they’ll need more watering to keep from drying out
First let me say I'm glad you took something from my interests. This was a while ago so I'm not sure how long it took but I don't remember it being overburdening. When you do things you love, time seems to fly. Thanks and enjoy your gardening experience. Best of luck!
Not a bad idea at all, but the commercial 2x2 inch version will make 12 times as many blocks in the time it takes to make one via this method. Its not a bad idea, just slower. Besides, the important fact here is to use soil blocks for all of the seedlings you can. It works far better than any other method I have tried. Far higher germination rate. If I were to make a recommendation, I would be to use less water. When you squeeze the water out of the soil block, nutrients are going with it. The mix I make, which is probably similar to yours in its base elements, will be just wet enough to squeeze a drop or two out if I squeeze a handful. My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks. 6 cups of Peat Moss 4 cubs of compost 2 cups of worm castings 2 cups of perlite 1/4 cup of blood meal 1/4 cup of bone meal 1/4 cup azymite 1/4 cup of green sand 1/4 cup of rock phosphate Mix while it is dry. Couple of pluses with soil blocks. 1. Space them about 1/4 inch or more from each other. The roots will air prune and not get all balled up and root bound like they would in a pot or seedling container if you dont transplant soon enough. 2. They have a ton of nutrients, and can support the seedling/start for many weeks...You just need to add water. 3. When you water a soil block, even if you over water from the top, the water will drain out and not waterlog and kill the seed. 4. The nutrients in a soil block are great amendments when you transplant the block to the soil.
When making pot's like these I would tend to use lighter soils, more Peet and other nutrients because I believe it would put less strain on a younger rooting system. That being said, use whatever you have available and experiment. Some of us don't have the money for store bought materials. So work on your skills with what's available and see what works best for you. Be prepared and be happy.
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks. 6 cups of Peat Moss 4 cubs of compost 2 cups of worm castings 2 cups of perlite 1/4 cup of blood meal 1/4 cup of bone meal 1/4 cup azymite 1/4 cup of green sand 1/4 cup of rock phosphate Mix while it is dry.
You can use any soil or even garden soil mix out of the bag. Whatever you can afford is fine. Looser soil mixes, like soil with perlite or peet added make it easier for younger plants to root but require more attention to water levels. If the question was actually about soul, I think gardeners like myself love to feel the earth as it is part of us. We are one. It is part of our souls love in that way. The soul knows how to communicate with our earth and it's soil. Let your soul listen to the earh and always do what feels right. Enjoy your garden 😊
@@callyscraftycorner2463 My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks. 6 cups of Peat Moss 4 cubs of compost 2 cups of worm castings 2 cups of perlite 1/4 cup of blood meal 1/4 cup of bone meal 1/4 cup azymite 1/4 cup of green sand 1/4 cup of rock phosphate Mix while it is dry.
lol, I grew up on Staten Island but have spent the last 24 years in Arizona. It's a totally different way to grow things and took a long time to understand the growing seasons. Spring gets hot fast so you need an early start and lots of later season watering. Thanks Art and as always go Jets!
Nice hack but the soil blocks are a life time product that's been perfected in weight, fuction and longevity. Soil block is not a waste of money. Soil block is a shining example of work smarter not harder. This is a great cheap hack to get you threw in the meanwhile for sure.
it's about sharing the thought and the love for gardening at any pay rate. We need more self sufficient people in this world. This idea isn't for sale. it's there to help others. I'm sure you get helping others with shared knowledge. Thanks for watching. Enjoy the journey.
I literally made one of these out of the blue super quickly the other day to show my wife the benefits of soil blocking, lol. Grabbed a 1" coupling from the shop, and a 1" chunk of steel rod (it's what I had on hand!), and pressed out a couple blocks. I then told her I could make them any size she wanted with pvc and caps, and could even put something on the end to make a divot for seeds. Imagine my surprise when I found this video today, and another guy on the site with a true DIY heart along with it lol.
Cheers brother!...and thanks for sharing!
Best DIY blocker on you tube by far!!
This is a great design. I made the 2" blocker as shown, plus a 1-1/4" blocker with 20% of the soil volume of the larger one. In both cases, I find the soil volumes more satisfactory (bigger) than their commercial soil blocker counterparts. Also, I was glad to learn your soil recipe. This saved me a lot of bother because I discovered I can get great results with off-the-shelf Jiffy or Promix with 70% peat moss content, and it's pH-corrected. Altogether, this soil blocker is superior because: you can compress the heck out of the blocks so they won't fall apart easily, the cylinder shape is more durable than cubes, and you're far less likely to get roots crossing over to adjacent blocks. Just great. Thanks Steve!
I am a teacher, from Guatemala, land of migrant caravaners......, well its the starting point before entering Mexico...., I will surely teach this wonderful skill of yours to my students. Best wishes, I have subscribed, and expecting for more tips to go.
It’s surprising. You’d think with the hundreds of millions the U.S. sends to different Latin American countries that it’d help with poverty or help keep there to better their life. It probably ends up in politicians Swiss bank accounts just like Africa.
Oh my gush thank you so much. I am just starting planting for this season. I have been thinking of ordering a block maker. The $50.00 dollar with shipping is a lot for a person living on SSDI. So you coming up as a suggestion was definitely good luck. The only thing now, I need a mix recipe. Thank s.
You are a good and kind man!! Thank you for the idea, I looked at the tools too but they cost just too much. This is a great idea.
Thanks. I hope it brings you happiness and prosperity in your garden.
This is the best DIY soil block maker I've seen yet! I could see myself mqking a smaller one for the tiny seeds then transplanting them into the bigger blocks!
A marvellous idea, gardeners are very inventive people, thanks for sharing,from Swansea UK.
Update: I'm getting excellent germination with these soil blocks. Here are 2 tips:
* For growing peas, place 5 peas on the soil in the tube just before plunging/pressing the blocks. The peas are visibly embedded into the top of the pressed soil block. I am getting near-perfect germination rates with this method.
* In Canada, Jiffy-Mix Premium Seed Starter has the ideal consistency for making blocks. (Promix HP's vermiculite and other particles are coarser and the blocks don't hold together as well.)
This is fantastic news and information. Thank you so much for sharing with everyone!
Thank you, that's great! I believe I have everything I need to make one of those except the end cap.
Thank you and all other soil block makers that have posted. I'm off to make me one but🤔with pvc pipes and a screw! 😍Loving the idea starter!!
Brilliant! I've already invested in the soil block makers, but you never know. Thank you!
Great job! Ppl like you are a dying breed. My father figure is like you and I'm trying to learn everything I can from him b4 he's gone. ❤️
This is exactly how I wish I thought about my father when I was young. I do remember all the times I had my chances to learn just slip away. You are very wise. Keep learning!
You just saved me a ton of money!
Thank you. This is an excellent idea.
I can finally toss out all my ratty old Solo cups, and nursery containers!
Smart man. Generous man. Kind man who shares all the above. Thank you Sir.
Amazing i love this block maker. This is the best idea i have seen yet. Thank you
Brilliant design. Thank you so much for sharing. I can also see how you can easily adjust the divot size by using different sized round wooden blocks between the end of the cap and the nut. This would allow you to match the divot to different sized mini-soil blocks.
I use plastic disposable drinking cups with holes drilled in the bottom ranging from 9 ounce to 24 ounce cups. I can use them for several years and I don't have to worry about the soil falling apart when I water the plants.
Thanks for sharing your great idea!!
Best wishes from England
Thanks for the idea. I probably need two hundred of these blocks by now
Thank you for showing us how to make soil blocks.
They are the best soil blocks I've seen 😊👍🏿
Wow! Super impressive. Thanks for sharing! Amazingly simple yet efficient and good quality blocks
Thanks for sharing your great DIY idea. I am going to make one just like yours in this video.
Good job man! I would have never thought of that. Thanks for the lesson!
some good ingenuity there and simple and cheap. Good video matey.
Great idea Steve!!! You're thinking out-'o-the-box! I'm gonna make one as you described. Thanks very much.
Brilliant. I will make one for my garden.
Great idea Steve, you have yourself a new subscriber. Can't wait to try this in my no till garden.
I made one of these too and it’s working great. But I’m wondering why you bought a 1” pvc pip got a 1 1/4” cap and how you made it fit the small 1” pipe? I just used a 1 1/4” pipe and cap. Anyway thanks for sharing as it really saved me some money. I’m not into mass production so one soil block at a time is good enough for my needs.
Thank you very much for this genius idea and inspiration with this cap nut thingie!
Soil blocker, I like it every much.
Well done M8. Thank you for posting.
They sit side by side to kind of support themselves and you water them from the bottom, so if they are compacted correctly, they hold together better and better as the roots grow.
Nice easy method, thanks for sharing.
You're a genius!
So, "as luck would have it", I literally just ordered my soil blocker last night. :(
I got Letter E, the Ladbrooke 2" for $19.50 at the Greenhouse Megastore. But, darn it, your invention is ingenious - I love it. :)
O M G! YOU ARE GENIUS! Imma head to home
Depot in a few to do this!!!!!
Very good. I have some pipe leftover from a water line install
Greetings, thank you so much for video and saving us money - really appreciate it! Very creative! Can you make a quick video showing us how you prepare your soil. Thank you
Great idea 💡 I'm gonna make one myself. Thanks 👍
One thing I don't understand about soil blocks in general, when you water your seedlings..how does the "pot" stay together. Do they not get soggy and fall apart? You just use peat and perlite as your mix?
Please keep in mind that this video was produced a while back but yes I still use both Peet and perlite in my my seedlings mixtures. I like to use perlite in all my other plant mixtures also because it keeps terific drainage. As for the fall apart issues, you are correct in saying normal watering(not a spray bottle) does tend to make some blocks apart. I fold two things that prevent this issue. First, let your Soil blocks dry before placing them in trays. Second, when thoroughly dry stack them tightly in the drip tray you are using. Like seedlings tend to grow at the same pace so when you are ready to transplant, transplant all the pods at the same time. I almost forgot about this video. Thanks for watching and best of luck whatever planting method you use. Just never give up. Gardening is a very good skill to know and share. Share your success. Peace
Thank you for this great idea!
Smart teachers are the best kind!
I see these being made and I just don't understand how they don't fall apart.
If you have the proper soil mix and wet it adequately, it won't fall apart. Only peat and perlite will not supply either enough nutrients or the "hold-together power". My recipe calls for
3 parts peat
3 parts compost
1 part perlite or vermiculite
2T green sand
2T rock phosphate
2T dried blood
These last 3 ingredients are preferred but not essential. I picked up mine at our local co-op and perhaps even Home Depot carries them. But, as I said, they are not essential. The compost supplies enough goodies for the emerging seedlings to prosper. I mix all the dry ingredients in a wheelbarrow, then start adding water. It takes quite a large amount of water to make it roughly cottage cheese consistency. When I can make a ball that does not fall apart when I throw it up in the air and catch it, then I know I am where I need to be. Hope this helps. I've been using this mixture for 3 seasons and am very happy and so are my
seedlings :)
brkbkrl - one more thing, I always place my blocks in a tray and water them from below and let the blocks soak up as much water as they need. You can spray from above, but that is too time consuming and always a guessing game. Below is the way to go.
@@1951mytube Thank you!
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks.
6 cups of Peat Moss
4 cubs of compost
2 cups of worm castings
2 cups of perlite
1/4 cup of blood meal
1/4 cup of bone meal
1/4 cup azymite
1/4 cup of green sand
1/4 cup of rock phosphate
Mix while it is dry.
Lol of course I already got the blocker....but I can still make one.
Cool idea!!!
Gracias
Awesome! Thanks for the info too.
Thanks, wonderful Idea !
Fantastic -love ingenuity.
As you water them, don't the blocks fall apart, since there is no covering around the soil?
You water the tray underneath them. They suck up the water. NO overhand watering.
The peat moss holds them together. This was one of my worries when I first used them....if you have made them correctly the peat moss and compost make them pretty tough. You can water from above or the bottom. The roots will go down the sides and come out the bottom to the water. If you water from above and its too much then the water drains right how and is in the same spot where it would be if you watered from the bottom.
Brilliant, and cheap well played man 👍
Great method. So i made some blocks and have started germinating. Looks like some while fungus is appearing around the edges if the blocks. Im a worried. Should i be ?
I can't give you a specific answer but vaguely would assume the problem may indicate too much water. If this is the case fungus or mold probably won't hurt your seedlings and may be less noticeable with letting the blocks dry out a little more between watering. Try experimenting watering schedule with a few samples. Once you plant your seedlings the problem should go away. I hope that helps. Good luck and don't give up!
That was awesome, thank you for that.
Great idea thanks for sharing
once it starts growing bigger where can i put it?
Well done! Thanks so much.
That’s a great idea. The only downside I see is that with the round shape there’s airspace between each one so they’ll need more watering to keep from drying out
Loyal and Faithful Square pvc pipe, lol, perfect!
Great idea! Why don't you sell your block makers?
This is the best do-it-yourself solar block video I've seen. I agree genius! I'm going to make one. thanks!!!
I found this while looking for videos to explain why my $30+ soil blocker isnt working. Lol...ty
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. That looks easy and very inexpensive. How long does it take to fill that box you made?
First let me say I'm glad you took something from my interests. This was a while ago so I'm not sure how long it took but I don't remember it being overburdening. When you do things you love, time seems to fly. Thanks and enjoy your gardening experience. Best of luck!
grazie, domani provo. Tanti Saluti dall'Italia (Piemonte, Langhe)
Not a bad idea at all, but the commercial 2x2 inch version will make 12 times as many blocks in the time it takes to make one via this method. Its not a bad idea, just slower. Besides, the important fact here is to use soil blocks for all of the seedlings you can. It works far better than any other method I have tried. Far higher germination rate. If I were to make a recommendation, I would be to use less water. When you squeeze the water out of the soil block, nutrients are going with it. The mix I make, which is probably similar to yours in its base elements, will be just wet enough to squeeze a drop or two out if I squeeze a handful.
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks.
6 cups of Peat Moss
4 cubs of compost
2 cups of worm castings
2 cups of perlite
1/4 cup of blood meal
1/4 cup of bone meal
1/4 cup azymite
1/4 cup of green sand
1/4 cup of rock phosphate
Mix while it is dry.
Couple of pluses with soil blocks.
1. Space them about 1/4 inch or more from each other. The roots will air prune and not get all balled up and root bound like they would in a pot or seedling container if you dont transplant soon enough.
2. They have a ton of nutrients, and can support the seedling/start for many weeks...You just need to add water.
3. When you water a soil block, even if you over water from the top, the water will drain out and not waterlog and kill the seed.
4. The nutrients in a soil block are great amendments when you transplant the block to the soil.
Thank you very much ..
Great idea! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing sir!
Great idea. Thanks!
What proportions of peat and pear lite did u use?
When making pot's like these I would tend to use lighter soils, more Peet and other nutrients because I believe it would put less strain on a younger rooting system. That being said, use whatever you have available and experiment. Some of us don't have the money for store bought materials. So work on your skills with what's available and see what works best for you. Be prepared and be happy.
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks.
6 cups of Peat Moss
4 cubs of compost
2 cups of worm castings
2 cups of perlite
1/4 cup of blood meal
1/4 cup of bone meal
1/4 cup azymite
1/4 cup of green sand
1/4 cup of rock phosphate
Mix while it is dry.
Loved this
Love the invention , but what’s the ratio for the soil mix?
You can use any soil or even garden soil mix out of the bag. Whatever you can afford is fine. Looser soil mixes, like soil with perlite or peet added make it easier for younger plants to root but require more attention to water levels. If the question was actually about soul, I think gardeners like myself love to feel the earth as it is part of us. We are one. It is part of our souls love in that way. The soul knows how to communicate with our earth and it's soil. Let your soul listen to the earh and always do what feels right. Enjoy your garden 😊
Haha, thank You for your reply. I corrected the post. I don’t know where “soul” came from. But thank you for your reply. 😊
@@callyscraftycorner2463
My Recipe - Makes about 25 2x2 soil blocks.
6 cups of Peat Moss
4 cubs of compost
2 cups of worm castings
2 cups of perlite
1/4 cup of blood meal
1/4 cup of bone meal
1/4 cup azymite
1/4 cup of green sand
1/4 cup of rock phosphate
Mix while it is dry.
excellent idea. wow.
Very Good.Thank you !
1 note, drain the pressed water away from your mix or you'll press the same water MANY times.
thanks fo the great video.
Awesome idea!
How did you get the cap with the screw to stay on?
washer and a nut underneath
Excellent. Thanks for that.
how did you attach the pvc pipe to the cap with the nut?
I first drilled a small hole in the cap which I put a small bolt through a washer and through the hole attaching it to the nut cap
A good squeeze on the male part.
Thanks Sir 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Brilliant. Thanks
👍❤️😊 thanks
Great idea
Brilliant
Brilliant thank you for sharing
Good job!
Great idea are you from New York I seen the jets hat go Giants
lol, I grew up on Staten Island but have spent the last 24 years in Arizona. It's a totally different way to grow things and took a long time to understand the growing seasons. Spring gets hot fast so you need an early start and lots of later season watering. Thanks Art and as always go Jets!
Nice hack but the soil blocks are a life time product that's been perfected in weight, fuction and longevity. Soil block is not a waste of money. Soil block is a shining example of work smarter not harder. This is a great cheap hack to get you threw in the meanwhile for sure.
it's about sharing the thought and the love for gardening at any pay rate. We need more self sufficient people in this world. This idea isn't for sale. it's there to help others. I'm sure you get helping others with shared knowledge. Thanks for watching. Enjoy the journey.
Awesome 👏
Great idea!:)
I Like how you think.
Cool beans!
Thank you for educating me.
Very clever!
Nice! Thanks
good idea...
super
Genius
Are you a Jets fan?😁
lol...Yes since Namath