Making Soil Blocks: #1 Method For Starting Seeds (w/ Jim Kovaleski)
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- There are countless reasons soil blocks are the best option for some of our favorite vegetable starts. This special seedling method has been a large part of Jim Kovaleski's garden success, especially when it comes to planting out his lettuce varieties. We are keeping our promise to bring you a lot more great content with our dear friend Jim, as he transitions into the next succession of veggies for his local farmers market circuits. Jim has been an inspiration to many of us for a decade now. His market garden is a work of edible art, filled with our favorite annual vegetables that are always so sought after by the local co-ops & markets.
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USE A HOE TO MIX BOSS
So sad it turns out to be an internet business... It's incoherent with Jim's speech.
What is that metal device he uses to make the squares called?
@@rebeccagabay4164 soil block maker
Thank you, Pete, for sharing so many vids of Jim. Very inspirational, and I love to see his work. I now use both sturdy cel-trays and soil blockers and love them both. Have tried to find a source for the greensand, but haven't found that much.
What I wonder is about the blue trays Jim uses. I love how sturdy they seem and that they are stackable. Are they (or something alike) still available somewhere you know?
The mesh trays from Johnny's seems nice and affordable too and I know they are recommended by some, but when I tried to buy them by the 50's I found Johnny's added about 300 dollar markup for EU customers, so I think they want to reserve them for usa customers only.
Just wondering what kind of trays the blue one's are, so I can look for them. Thanks.
Soil block Mix
Bucket = 10 quarts
(2) buckets peat moss
(2) cups azomite
Mix
(2) buckets perolite
(1) bucket peat moss
(1) cup azomite
(1) cup of green sand
(1) cup rock phosphate
(1) cup blood meal
(1) bucket compost
Mix
Add water
Mini Mix:
(3) quarts peat moss
(1 1/2) quarts compost
(1/2) cup rock phosphate
(1/2) cup green sand
Mix
Add water
If need bigger batch - double recipe.
Thanks for the summary.
thank you for this. noticed though that there is no limestone!!! mygreathanks and blessings😇
Not all heros wear capes
Thank you Sweetheart
thank you so very much....blessings
If you are having trouble understanding what he said as per the amendments, here is a list:
*small block mix*
peat
compost
greensand (aka glauconite)
colloidal phosphate (aka soft rock phosphate)
*big block mix*
peat
azomite - a type of rock dust
perlite (he said Elliot Coleman uses coarse sand instead of perlite)
greensand
colloidal phosphate
blood meal
compost
Thanks you. Do you know the amounts on the small block mix?
Oh, I appreciate this comment! ;) I tried to use CC and that didn't help either. This was very helpful!
@@rebbecastenzel2587 Glad to help!
THANK YOU
@@charlesterrizzi8311 You're welcome. :)
I don't know how many times I've watched this video, I just watched it again. Never get tired of watching how Jim makes his own soil and creates his soil blocks. 😊👍😍
Sweet!!
Must be nice with all the temperatures just right, yeah know. But, yeah know, it's like a roller coaster, don't you know?
This man is the Bob Ross of gardening
Nononono that title goes to sean with edible acres
Pete and jim are badasses though haha
All gardeners are the bob ross of gardening lol
You gotta check out Charles dowling. Crazy soothing gardening voice.
@@devonolsen1331 even when he broke that chickens neck with a shovel.
Ya he is!!
A tip, I use a cheep cement mixer to mix the amendments. No dust in the face and mixes real well. Then while it's done and still rotating dump it out into the wheelbarrow or cart.
Nice! That’s what I used also. Jim does it the old fashioned way 😊
That's nice. I use a large compost tumbler to mix and also store the mix.
Talking about a guy that uses a scythe for multiple acres.
Just saw your comment, I do the same thing!
I used to use the cement mixer when I showed giant leeks saved a lot of hard work🇬🇧🏴
Regarding 14:20, if your container has too much soil for the stage of plant, it will hold more water than the plant can use which gives opportunity to soilborne diseases. Roots need oxygen just as much as water as he said as well. Hope that helps everyone - size your container for the plant size, and pot up into larger containers as it grows (or something else will use that free water).
best explanation I've heard about this issue. thank you
Mind blown.... use just enough for the plants needs. Makes perfect sense and honestly, with soil blocking, potting up is childsplay, its so easy!
A process that pays off in the years to follow. Beats the heck out of buying plastic trays that go bad every other year!
I found trays that are heavy duty & last as long as they don't fall onto stone from a height. Yes they cost more, but worth it.
I was glad he wore PPE on the video .. then couldn't believe he took it off to work the perlite! The most critical component to utilize at least a dust mask! PLEASE use a mask or at least wet it before mixing guys. Perlite is expanded glass so the dust can and will cause silicosis in the lungs if inhaled.
@greendreamstv
Saw another video where the couple said they used do mixes for blocks but they found 100% potting soil works out perfectly.
Peetmoss is also something that is not endless. It comes from nature ares where this soil has grown for centuries. It doesn't take long and then it is finished. We should find another way if doing this .. and .. leave the peetmoss in the ground there..
Using as much site present material as possible. Wish there was a mini mulcher that could mat out palm fronds
I saw your cool Pepsi bottling crate, and thought they would work great for me, too. Got 10 on ebay today!
Spend $50.00 for reusable trays. That way you don't spend all day making block cakes! LOL
That's the first time I have seen start to finish soil block prep and plant. Really awesome. Jim's plants look so great! Thank you for the video!
Jim has always brought me into the energy to farming. Thank you Pete
🙌
This guy doesn’t mess around, wow!
Jim is an inspiration gardeners everywhere!! Got my soil blocker on its way!
Pete, it would be awesome of you'd start a program for city youth to emulate what you do. I'm sure it would get funding.
So many wasted lawns out there. So many young folks could get off the streets and into the yards.
That would be amazing!
Bring in younger generation to save the future or else everything is stuck in robotics state help keep general labor cheap and easy and be happy about it and garden is another good way to learn from mistake and fix the problem on their own term
@Dr. Giggles Like Joel Salatin says, "Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal."
I was part of a neighborhood farm in Boulder CO. City Ordinances are a big hurdle. But sadly, this does not have any traction with younger people. Take it from me I'm one of them (I'm just now getting older and making time for it). Youth outreach is a hard nut to crack. Doesn't mean we should try, but it would be more so to expose them so that they might take it up when they get older.
@KeepitSimple, you are right about the "so many wasted lawns:. I'm about to start my permaculture urban garden in TX. My side/back yard is just a big waste of lawn (0.23 acre with a 1680 sq ft house)....I have the materials to build a 22 ft x 34 ft [12 ft high] greenhouse. I have found some videos today where I will go about building raised beds ruclips.net/video/rmgAqYwFFA8/видео.html and self contain hoop houses [that are not inside the greenhouse ruclips.net/video/ef_TS19TRQg/видео.html.....and the raised beds [inside the greenhouse and the hinged hoops I will put these SIPs to irrigate [and set up some rain catchment to facilitate the watering: ruclips.net/video/Lp9Jdyno9hI/видео.html.
I am mapping it all out. Practice in TX while looking for land to purchase in the Caribbean *Jamaica) to go live off-grid rurally. Not certain when the plans to start in Jamaica will take off the ground....but the TX bit will take off before Summer 2020 is out.
Those that fail to plan....plan to fail. The pandemic should be a wake up call....but many people will ignore the warning signs and then duke out to trying to get toxic food from the stores to eat.
But to each their own.
jim's voice is like "alright alright alright" - Matthew McConaughey
they get older and i stay the same age...
We love to see Jim. Thank you for such great content. ❤
Interesting. We do a lot more compost than peat just to make the blocks a bit more solid. Though our mix is 7 parts sifted black kow compost to three parts peat. Have watched this soo many times, still love watching it as we have done soil blocks for 7+ years and still enjoy learning.
One word for this: MAGICAL!
Thanks to the both of you.
🙌
Thanks Jim, Pete and Mel. I like Jim's small into big block method, makes a lot of sense. I have both sizes so nothing stopping me. Great video.
Stepping up your block game Trish 👊
I really want to try this. Where can one find the small block maker?
@@daviddeane3163 Johnny's carries them.
Before I got my soil blocker I saw someone use one off to the side - no explanation. I just used mine for the first time & had some trouble so decided to search RUclips University. Out of 4 or 5 videos, this one is by far the best. Thank you!!
Awesome 😎
Seed startng.. take the blocks place them on a "bed barrier sheets" for small children(they used to have dried gel embedded in the mat/fiber side up)..elevate it with part hanging over the side in the tray with a reservoir of water...it filters the water & gives you just the right amount of moisture to the blocks w/o flooding it...also then you do not have waste time by paying attention to the moisture in the blocks especially arid areas and no water wasting...capillary siphoning
thank you for confirming this - I was just looking online to see if including a capillary mat in my propagation set up would be a good idea. Cheers
Block after block after miles of sterile and poisoned lawns in California, most built on some of the best soil in America. This is what it should be like much more often. What a paradise! You must be blessed with good neighbors or perhaps you bought up the whole block years back. In too many places, kids and crazies would make a mess of that.
Have watched this video so many times just for the absorption of info, but also the recipe and method for soil block making.
Just invested in a pair of Soil Blockers made by the original - Ladbrooke. I got the Mini 4 and the Micro 20. Got all the ingredients for the soil mixture and I'm mixing it up and making blocks while watching this video. Tonight I'm starting Onions, Peppers, Tomato and Salad Greens.
Thanks Pete and Jim for sharing this info.
First time I will start seeds in mini soil blocks this January. Thank you for inspiration
Trish, where did you find the mini soil block tool?
So jealous!!! That yard!
For 2 inch soil blocks:
40 qt peat
2c azomite
20 qt perlite or course sand
1c greensand
1c colloidal phosphate
1c blood meal
20 qt sifted compost
Such a beautiful garden Jim. I hope someday my husband and I can do this too.
You appeared in the side bar. I'm soon to build a raised bed garden. I will want to build a double canopy cover also, We have to grow our own food now. Thank you for teaching your food growing strategies. I hope you get rich from this since people are waking up to the solar minimums leading in to solar cycle 25. Social Distancing just might keep farmers from getting the crops in the ground on time Global.
Jim works for every penny he earns. Great video.
Thank you Both for soil formula!,!
Typically IMPOSSIBLE to find...
✌️❤️😁🌿
Thanks for sharing how to make the mini-blocks! I love watching Jim step by step taking us through it. Keep pounding dirt! 🌴
Glad to share 🙌
@@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL guess I missed the mini block making part, gonna watch it again. Is there a mini block making press?
David Deane yes
@@lifeinthemudlane1846 David, where did you find the press for the mini?
Hey former neighbor! I used to go to the market and get your stuff all the time. I lived off mass and rowan area lol
Awesome! Jim just got back in town two weeks ago.
Gosh Jim I LOVE That Shed! Of course those soil blocks are amazing too, but the shed is cool.
Privacy, natural lighting, ventilation and minimal materials 👍
Those gardens are gorgeous ❤
Thanks for this Pete and Jim!
🙌🙌🙌
What a plethora of education😮 & I love his tools, we must shop at the same gardening tool store 🌱
At 3:22 I found myself holding my breath.. 😂 anyone else or was that just me haha
Yes, I would wanna do that outside...
Brilliant.. Thanks.. great to see the master at work..
Jim is so healthy ❤️❤️❤️❤️
his front yard garden gives me goals....serious goals. He can teach you so much...Needs to make an instructional video.
We have a course we offer with Jim
Gardeners are cool people! 😎👍
That's some wonderful January weather..
Finally have discovered a viable purpose for those totes that are in storage from old vending route. Nice 💡
Thank you both . Jim I very much appreciate your willingness to show how u mix & what u mix. I am very new at gardening so I need to learn to do this the best way.
I replay this every spring. Such great info in a helpful format. This year we're adding blood meal to our soil mix.
Jim Kovaleski what a legend
I love all what Jimmy does!!🤠‼ thankfully for sharing ‼🤠
I am envy of those Sun shine in FL. ☀️🌸☘️
Anyone who orders cases of wine,or six bottles, can use the packing material for seed planting. They are eco friendly trays under and above the bottles of wine, and can be put into the ground, just like peat pots.
Didn't realized how much works and mixing goes into germinate seedlings. I thought you just pock and small hold into the soil then put in the seed then water. Now I know takes times and $$$ just to get a small plant growth.
Wow that is awesome thanks. I use boiling water to minimize the criters that otherwise hatch out of the peat.
I just came across your videos. This guy is amazing. I like gardening...wow.
Jim has an extreme wealth of knowledge 🌱
Got my maker today because of this man!
This year i do like korean Natural Farming peat moss and a mix in the water (1/4 tea spoon of rice vinaiger in 1 cup of water) boost less expansive and it work very well
Green sand is simply bentonite clay I believe. Can be ordered from axner pottery.
I think Jim meant trying to buy & support local distributers
I put everything to a cement mixer and go make myself a nice cup of tea.
Great idea
You make the most beautiful soil blocks. I love your neat and functional garden very much. Thanks.
I was thinking to myself "I've seen this guy before". Hes done a video on how to use a scythe if I'm not mistaken
Yes sir! Jim is the Scythe man 👊
He makes the scythe humm. Is he in the big grass field with the scythe? I hav e used soil blockers BUT not as efficient as Jim. I will have to get them out again. I did use cement mixer for dry ingredients.can not remember when I added the liquids. I followed Elliott's instructions though.
Thanks Jim, my christmas loquat fruit was great. You said it was your favorite. Thanks Pete for selling little trees. My tree had alotta fruit but the squirrels snd birds loved them. I got to taste one and another is ripening on the counter.
Nancy Fahey...you can make tea with the leaves!
We all love loquat!
I used to have an old loquat tree. Once tree hits maturity, you'll have so fruitage that birds, squirrels, you, & the ground will all be enjoying.
Very cool landscape. It's good that in Fl, they allow people to grow veggies in the front yard. I read an article a while ago about a couple in the US. They were ordered to remove their vegetable front yard because some neighbor complained. They stated front yard is supposed to grow things like flowers and shrubs only. The couple's problem was their backyard didn't have enough sun to grow what they liked. I don't remember what state it was.
Thank you Pete & Jim!
My Home Owner's Association would have an epileptic fit.
Good! Time to change the rules.
That's a very cool technique, thanks so much for sharing it with us!
I always learn so much from both you and Jim. Thanks
Thank you Pete.
Top shelf video. Cheers, Pete and Jim. This one’s a keeper.
Thanks so much! Watched this twice for the recipe.
Could you do a video on what the benefits are for different soil amendments - like bloodmeal is high in nitrogen plants use for root growth?
wow your garden so green
That was great! I have both sizes of soil blockers, but have never felt like I needed to use the little one. Now he has convinced me to try the little one too. Thanks!
Makes no sense that the small ones are $50 & the larger/plug into are $250. It's as if they want to get you hooked at first & hit you with a big bill/investment to make it work properly.
@@bradjohnston8687 I don't know where you are shopping, but they aren't that much. Check Johnny's
Great another video with Jim. Thanks pete your awesome... it made my morning more productive, mae here from Philippines... 6am my time
Love it!
Thanks for the great video. lots of useful tips. I'd love to know where he got the cool blue trays the 2" blocks went into?
Wondering the same thing! Does anybody know?
I struggle with well water and that tip was wonderful
I use the bale of pro-mix potting soil then mix with compost.
Planting is easy in your place ..you have complete materials..I hope soon I can have a garden...
Aw, I was so hoping for a country usable batch o blocks. Thanks, anyhow..🙂
thank you
Jim's garden looks AMAZING! 2nd time I'm watching this, and I wonder how Jim is doing.
Prayers have been answered!!!!! Whomever disliked this eats cabbage boiled in stinky sock water!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thanks I bought the blocker yr or so ago and didn't know how to use. Grateful!
@ 8:32 That's some beautiful mix!! 😍
What a beautiful yard!!!
A couple hours south & where I'm @ it's 3 + growing seasons. All of the states small tents & fruit stands buy there produce from the homestead area. Thousands of acres. Nice when u don't have to pay attention to the season. But water is always needed. I enjoy the early details to green house starters for a head start to planting outside. U have to appreciate the incredible hard work involved before it ever goes outside to grow. We had an open garden one year where we let folks in the country come & pick what they wanted. Big mistake.....lol
Too many folks stepped all over the vines & plants & no respect for the hard work or property. Appreciate your sharing your hard work with us.
Love the Loquat tree. Used to eat bowls of them. Makes my mouth water.
For those of us who do not hear well, it would be really nice if there was a list of the ingredients in the description area, maybe with the number of buckets/cups for each.
Follow steps in wheel barrel
For 2 inch Soil blocks:
(2) 10 qt buckets of peat moss
Add Soil Amendments :
(2) cups azomite (soup cans = 2 cups)
Mix in and use a mask to avoid dust
Add (2) 10 qt buckets of perlite
Add (1) 10 qt bucket of Peat moss
Add Soil Amendments :
Add (1/2) can of more azomite
Add (1) cup of Green sand
Add (1) cup of colloidal phosphate powder
Add (1) cup Blood Meal (skunks love blood meal will eat it)
Add (4th) 10 qt bucket of Peat moss
Mix it all up/wear a mask
Add:
Eliot Coleman adds (1 Bucket of Compost) sifted finely Jim Kovaleski uses a mino trap to sift and with chucker pieces they go back into compost pile ( seems to add 2 10 qt buckets of fine compost)
Mix it all up/wear a mask 2/ 3 times pouring it into a bin mixes it even more evenly
This soil block mix in wheel barrel makes about 400 soil blocks
In a mortor mix tub Jim Kovaleski takes 8 qts of soil to 3 or 4 qts ( In this video though Jim Kovaleski actually seems use a total of 5 qts water total ) City water not well water because Well water concentrates salts as it evaporates.
Eliot Coleman waits a day before making the blocking mix blocks after watering so the peat moss can absorb water but Jim Kovaleski hasn’t found that to be the case.
The soil block mix should flow through your fingers but it should not be too soupy. If it’s too soupy add more of the soil block mix. It should ooze and pops out.
The 2 inch blocker has two different types of inserts Nibs (square and circular) for seeding or the square is for moving seedlings on up from the micro soil block maker into 2in etc.
For Micro Soil Block mixture:
Peat Moss
Compost
Soil Amendments:
A little green sand
A little colloidal phosphate
This mix is less chunky
Justin S. Leon Thank you Justin
@@Podtauk thank you!!!!!!
@@Podtauk awesome! Thank you for taking the time to do this.
@@Podtauk hello do you happen to know what azomite is considered. I dont seen it mentioned in colemans book.
You guys are wonderful and I'm absolutely envious of everything you all do. Thank you for sharing!
Much love! Thanks for the support
This guy does one hell of a job.
Yes he does
G'day and Peace to you,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Much
Appreciated
so fun to see the whole process! Thanks so much from showing us!
The MASTER!!!
He’s a pro for sure! Always learning from your videos. Thank you Pete and Jim!
Thanks 😊
ty
Superb. I just ordered my Soil Block Maker. This fella knows he's stuff. Thanks Pete.
I have been binge watching your videos w Jim, how educational! Thanks!
Wish Jim put the mini and 2inch soil block recipes out. Thanks❤
Thank you, I will definitely do this for my heirloom organic seed starting in January next year!
Awesome!
Thinking about moving to florida within the next 3 years from Arizona... Super excited to see all the green everywhere and actually grow things that hopefully won't die of heat stroke. Hopefully find some gardening classes around that area too that would be cool.
Awesome!! We need more like-minded people
Jim is one cool dude.
Great video Pete! You ask the best questions of Jim! THANK YOU
🙌
Thanks Jim!