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Questions tagged [soil-block]

For questions regarding the use of soil blocks, blocks of soil pressed together told hold their shape without a container. Often used to start a plant meant for [tag:transplanting].

A soil block is a lump of that has been moistened and compressed to the point that it will hold its shape, but is still suitable for plant growth. Soil blocks provide a convenient method of starting seeds for .

Use this tag for questions about soil blocks and the related tools, techniques, and recipes.

Five trays of soil blocks, three with seedlings and two with visible seeds on top

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using soil blocks?

I recently read a book that suggests using soil blocks for starting seeds. What are the advantages and disadvantages of soil blocks over the more popular seed starting methods? I am mainly interested in using the seed blocks to start vegetables.
jeffreywrichards
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Questions about soil block usage

I got a catalog from Johnny's seeds the other day and saw their soil block makers. I've been looking into them and I'm thinking about trying them to start my garden plants this year as an experiment. I'll make my own soil block maker to test and may…
Dalton
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what are the trade-offs between soil blocks and air-pruning trays?

In the past, I've tried peat pots, the puff-up peat tablets, the cheap flimsy trays for doing starts. Peat pots don't really let the roots through. The tablet things are a recurring cost (so are the peat pots, but I made the mistake of buying a big…
mmccoo
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Can I make soil blocks in batches and keep them empty until I need them?

I'm starting a vegetable garden this spring with ±50m² effective surface area, and I'm wondering whether it would be useful to use soil blocks to reduce plastic usage. However, in my planning I will be sowing seeds every week from the beginning of…
user65560
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Watering soil blocks for tomatoes

Looking for recommendations on how to water soil blocks and what type of trays to use. I plan to plant tomato seeds in two inch blocks. After the are big enough I’ll put them in deep into cups for further root development
Perry Thomasson
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What are practicable options for bottom watering soil blocks?

This year I am starting seedlings indoors in soil blocks for the first time. My first attempt is going well, but I can't find a good method for watering. I have two 10in x 20in trays in a 22in x 22in grow tent. It's cozy in there. So far I have…
MackM
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Available (soluble?) vs. total phosphorus for seed starting

I'm going into my second year starting seeds in soil blocks, and this year I'm switching from a prepackaged fertilizer mix to making my own. I'm going largely from Elliot Coleman's original soil block recipe, BUT I learned when ordering the…
Daniel Slomovits
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Should I wait for cotyledons to show before exposing seedling to light?

I used to exclusively use the paper towel method for germinating seeds. Now I am trying soil blocks (I found some seeds germinate better if I don't cover them). And I was wondering when should I take the cube out of my "incubator", transplant them…
csamx
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