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« GOING BACK TO BASICS | Main | READERSHIP GROWING »

February 27, 2008

By Anais | email author

Every year we make up thousands of soil blocks . If there’s one tool a urban gardener/ farmers needs is this handy instrument. Not only does it help us with our successive planting efforts, soil blocks save time, space, money - seedlings germinate and grow with no container, NO transplant shock.

I just love sitting out in the warm sunshine, barefoot, with my hands squishing a bunch of moist soil into the soil blocks - plopping out these nicely shaped blocks all ready and waiting for the seedman (Justin) to come along.

WHAT IS A SOIL BLOCK?

A soil blocks is a block of growing medium that has been lightly compressed and shaped by a form. A soil block serves as both a container and the soil for starting and growing seedlings, eliminating the need for plastic pots and trays for transplanted seedlings. Seedlings grown in soil blocks form stronger root systems than those grown in containers due to increased oxygen to the roots and the soil block’s natural tendency to “prune” roots. This creates a substantial advantage when seedlings are transplanted into the field, because plants establish themselves more quickly and, because of lessened root disruption, they are less prone to transplant shock.

The key to making good soil blocks is to use a mix containing the correct proportions of peat, compost, soil, and sand or perlite. A “blocking” mix needs extra fibrous material—peat—to bind the material together and help the block retain moisture. Some commercially available peat-lite mixes may work but often contain wetting agents and/or fertilizers that make it unsuitable for organic use.

BLOCKING MIX RECIPE *

A standard 10-quart bucket is the unit of measurement for the bulk ingredients. A standard cup measure is used for the supplementary ingredients. This recipe makes approximately 2 bushels of mix. Follow the steps in the order given.

3 buckets brown peat (standard peat moss, use a premium grade)
½ cup lime. Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
2 buckets coarse sand or perlite
3 cups base fertilizer (equal part mix blood meal, colloidal phosphate, and greensand). Mix.
1 bucket garden soil
2 buckets well-decomposed compost. Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
* From The New Organic Grower, by Eliot Coleman

Moisten the mix thoroughly using one part warm water for every three parts blocking mix. Successful soil block making depends on the mix being wet enough, rather than wet like soil mix in traditional flats. The mix should have the consistency of soft putty or wet cement, so that a small amount of water oozes through small openings in the blocker as the blocks are made, and that the individual soil blocks cling to the blocker without falling out prematurely.

HOW TO USE THE SOIL BLOCK MAKER

Blockers can be used on any flat work surface. Push the prepared soil mix into a mound that is 1¼ to1½ times deeper than the height of the soil blocker. Push the blocker into the mix until it strikes the work surface. Twist the blocker a quarter-turn and lift. Set the blocker where you plan to grow your seedlings such as a wooden or plastic tray, push down on the handle while raising the blocker. Rinse the blocker in warm water before making the next set of blocks. Place the seed into the indentation of each block, and cover according to the culture information on your seed packet. Prevent drying by covering blocks with a plastic dome or a layer of plastic until the seeds have germinated.

Courtesy Johnny’s Seeds

:: Resources ::

YouTube Video of urban farmer Justin using soil blocks to plant tomatoes

Soil Block Maker

(6 votes)  Loading ...

Topics: In the Garden, Posts by Anais, Seeds, Urban Farming | Tags: EM

RELATED POSTS:

• MORE ABOUT SOIL BLOCKS
• PLANTING TIME
• SEEDLING SHOW OFF
• SOIL EMERGENCY
• Container gardening soil

7 Responses to “SOIL BLOCKS”

1. Claudia Griffith Says:
   February 27th, 2008 at 11:11 am

   This Soil Block post was so helpful! I have always wondered how these worked and what were the benefits. Now I will try them.
   Thanks
   CG

2. Brandi Says:
   February 27th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

   I bet kids, like my own, would also love making these blocks, Anais!

   This is a really lovely idea, but I wonder if there’s anything besides peat that can be used as fibrous material? Coconut hull fiber? Grass clippings? Aged straw? Leaf mould? I hate using peat because of the rapidly depleting bogs…

3. Anais Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 6:41 am

   Hello Claudia

   Thanks for the comments, glad you enjoyed the post. I can’t say enough positive things about soil blocks. They really make for successful growing here on the urban homestead.

   Anais

4. Anais Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 6:50 am

   Hi Brandi,

   Kids would love it…. I do!

   As for peat moss. There are indeed alternatives.

   Sphagnum peat moss is NOT a threatened resource

   See these these sites for information:

   Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss and the Environment
   http://www.peatmoss.com/concern.html

   Peat Moss and the Environment — FAQ
   http://www.peatmoss.com/pm-efaq.html

   Peat Moss
   http://journeytoforever.org/compost_peatmoss.html

   Here’s another helpful article:

   Alternatives to using peat moss in the garden
   http://www.essortment.com/all/peatmoss_rtfv.htm

   Hope this has helped answer your questions.

   Cheers,
   Anais

5. Brandi Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am

   Thanks for the links, Anais. I’m checking them out now.

6. Donella Lyonesse Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

   How do you go about making soil blocks, the frames that is, I read this through twice and see no mention of it. I use a square foot garden method of planting and love this idea as I could have the next plants starting while I am finishing up the first crop.
   Very informative information

7. Anais Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

   Greetings Donella

   We make up soil blocks using this nifty piece of equipment

   http://www.peddlerswagon.com/p.....locks.aspx

   Glad you enjoyed the post!

   Anais

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