Sponsored by Fiskars
As a gardener who often speaks on accessibility in the garden and using low cost and low waste items, Fiskars Soil Block Maker touches on both topics and I’m super happy to share with you how you can practice sustainability affordably using this soil block maker.
What is Soil Blocking? What is A Soil Block Maker?
Soil blocking is where you are making compressed blocks of soil to act as the growing medium for your seedlings in lieu of using expensive, non eco-friendly propagation trays, pots, etc. A soil block maker is the tool you’ll use to make such soil blocks.
The Benefits
Easy Transplanting – Many seedlings are sensitive to having their roots disrupted and sometimes do not make it due to transplant shock. Using soil blocks allow for an easy transplanting process. Essentially, no medium such as a pot etc would need to be remove to safely transplant a seedling in a soil block.
Less Plastic Use / Low Waste – The soil block maker eliminated the need for disposable seed starting pots and trays.
Affordable & Sustainable – This tool is an one time purchase of $25 or less vs. spending nearly $50 every year on seed starting supplies hence reducing the use of plastic. Some of us can’t completely get rid of the use of the plastic, but its super helpful when we can reduce our plastic use a bunch.
Healthier Seedlings – Soil blocks encourage stronger root systems by eliminating the chance of root bound. This also allow for a more effective uptake of nutrients and water.
How To Make Soil Blocks
What you need:
Compost
Coconut coir
Perlite – adds aeration
Reusable container – this will house the mixture and essentially be your workspace for creating soil blocks
Cardboard box – will be the home for your soil blocks until you’re ready to transplants. It’s easily accessible and compostable.
optional – fertilizer – this is optional because the compost has most of the nutrients you’ll need, but some like adding bone or blood meal.
Steps
Mix Ingredients
Add 2 parts coconut coir (or peat moss – whatever you have readily available that will hold moist as well as add aeration), a handful of perlite, and 1 part compost together in a bin and mix thoroughly. You can add a fertilizer at this point, but in most situations, the compost has enough nitrogen for the seedlings. Pour enough water to the mix to create a muddy texture, but not runny. It can take some trial and error moments to know if it is right, but once you experience the right consistency then you’ll be able to eyeball it.
Make The Blocks
This is truly the easy and fun part.
When the mix is ready, push the soil block maker down on the mix until it hits the bottom surface and twist to secure the block you’re creating. You want to push until you see water gushing out the top of the maker. Lift the maker while the soil is still in the maker to scrap off excessive soil. You want the bottom to be flat and even as possible. Place the soil block maker on the cardboard box and this time while lifting the maker, push down on the top to push out the soil/potential soil block. Tada! You have successfully created your first soil block.
Using Soil Blocks
Fiskars Soil Block Maker can create one 3.5 in block or four 1 in blocks with an indention at the top for easy seed placement. To create an 3.5in block, you’ll remove the bottom layer by twisting where it says lock or unlock.
I recommend larger blocks for larger seeds such as big melons, etc but the 1 in blocks in my experience have done very well for all other crops such as peppers, tomatoes, etc. You want to consider how long will it be before you transplant will help make the decision on the size on the block. Also, bottom watering is the best method for keep the blocks and seedlings well hydrated. It also encourages better root development and the soil block typically does not take up any water it doesn’t need. When planting in soil blocks, don’t press the seed into the block – place the seed in the indentation and lightly add vermiculite or soil on top of the seed. This method will prevent breaking the blocking.
Using soil blocks as an alternative to disposable seed starting items is really easy when you have the right tools. Let us know how you feel about adding soil blocks to your seed starting process.