Four mistakes to avoid when soil blocking!

Let's talk about soil blocking troubleshooting (because clearly, I'm obsessed). Ever since we started growing our seeds this way 5 years ago it has been a massive game changer. I truly believe it's one of the main reasons I have so little pest pressure (in combination with the biodiversity we prioritize). A healthy plant=a more resistant plant to disease, damage, and drought!

As I've been teaching and coaching others on soil blocking, I've found that these were the top mistakes that I made in the first season. I'll sum them up here if you're more a reader than a watcher:
1) Letting the blocks dry out (even slightly) during germination/cotyledon stage: the soil must be very moist for that initial tap root to set down into the block, which is compacted by nature of soil blocking. If you find your seedlings are sitting on top of your soil blocks instead of working down into them, this is likely the cause.
2) Using the wrong seed starting soil! My two favorite recipes that we use are linked below.
3) Using the wrong TRAYS! Using the wrong trays can lead to tipping and breakdown of blocks, easy knocking over of trays in the case of lightweight trays, and algae formation.
4) Using the wrong size soil blocker! While there are sizes I use, if I had my choice there is ONE soil blocker I would use all the time--if I had the space. But this is the great thing about soil blocking, is the flexibility you have with your space and your own methods!

[reginafick]

I was at Johnny’s the other day, and discovered the 1.5” blocker and was in love with the possibilities! A trip to Johnny’s is never just what I went there for 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[kevinlt]

I feel like the tools matter so much more than lots of other aspects of gardening! I bought a cheap soil blocker and the blocks don't come out cleanly. WIsh now I'd spent a little extra for a proper one. I also used 10x20s since my blocks were bigger but the biggest issue I had was that the watering channel doesn't fill evenly since the trays aren't rigid. I got one side pooling and the other side dry. Lesson learned: flat bottom trays, you make the blocking world go 'round.

[skysplitter]

I’m about to start soil blocking for the first time this weekend, so the timing of this is PERFECT. Super helpful info, crossing my fingers for my seedlings!

[MilliePat]

Thanks so much watched your lessons 20 times. I am now doing 90% soil blocks for my small home veg and flower garden.

[dangay]

A lightbulb just went off after watching your video. I started soil blocking last year. I did all the wrong things. My small blocks dried out, I had peatmoss in the mixture, they wouldn't absorb water. thousands of seeds lost. I lost 2 weeks of growth and had to start over with my old trays and I was 2 weeks behind in planting. I'm going to follow your soil mixture tip, use 1 1/2" soil block vs using the small blocks, add mycorrhizae, and keep in a more moist state. Thank you!

[patnelson]

You have prevented me from making all 4 mistakesThanks

[jessie-gz]

Super excited to find a gardener in Colorado to follow. Look forward to watching you. Saw you on Epic gardens 😊

[catherineemerson]

I've learned so much from these videos on soil blocking! Many of my plastic trays were wearing out, and wanting to get away from buying more, I bought the medium soil blocker, Coco Loco, and wool pellets you recommended. I already had some heavy duty plastic cafeteria trays (bought to start microgreens) so am using those for now. Planted my first seeds in them 7 days ago and have quite a few seedlings up! However, after watching this video, I need to wet them more. My initial mix was wet enough, but I've only been misting with a spray bottle since. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into these videos--it is much appreciated!

[pamelaforman]

You are not only informative, but you are SMART! yay!!!

[jlp]

Thank you for this video. I have the 3/4” and 2” soil blockers and recently got the 1 3/8” Mini 5 blocker based on your recommendation. Home gardener ‘now’ and needing less plants, so enjoying the 1 3/8” blocker. Good to know that my soil mix isn’t wet enough when making blocks. But I’m doing something right when 22/30 Godetia seeds germinated within 2 days, expecting them to take 14-21 days!

[GardenMoxie]

Great information. I know I'm making at least 2 of these mistakes. I am happy it is early in the season so I can correct that. Thank you for helping us grow better.

[LB-bssu]

I've mentioned that I purchased cafeteria trays from IKEA for 99 cents, then learned they aren't fiberglass. They are polypropylene and are FDA-approved for food use. I also learned that polypropylene doesn't contain BPA (the chemical used to make hard plastics), or phthalates (another group of chemicals). It is recyclable (#5 recycling symbol) but doesn't biodegrade.

[MommaFromScratch]

Thank you for this video. Going to try the blocks this year

[CrisAnderson]

I started with soil blocks this year, and my first run I used a modded small tupperware container...it's actually working ok but it's time consuming as it's one block at a time. So I went to Amazon and grabbed a blocker. It turned out I got the 2"...but 90% of what I grow is tomatoes/peppers...squash and other larger vegetables so it looks like it'll work out lol.

Thanks for sharing!

[karie]

Thanks for the video! I love your videos because you give such great information in a quick way. You seemed extra spunky/happy/energized in this video....is that because Spring will soon be here? Lol.

[sierraechopnw]

Thank you sweetheart…this is my first year trying soil blocking and I turned to you to educate me. You have provided me with so many valuable lessons I am so appreciative of…and I grew up on a farm with a 1 ac garden every year….so I am adding great knowledge to that base I had instilled in me from parents. ❤

[rachelgalus]

Last year was my first year soil blocking and I made most of these mistakes. I don’t mind learning the hard way… except the money I spent on the wrong trays 😩. I really love yours! But yes, as a home gardener the 1.5” is my favorite block!

[Sunny]

Great video!! Because of you, I made my first soil blocks a couple of days ago, using a mama-bear-sized swiftblocker! And I also added the wool pellets.

[jerellwatkins]

Thanks for your information sent here by epic garden❤️💞

[RevAcres]

Very helpful with your take on block size. Just starting out soil blocking.