Quick update: Soil Blocking, Wooden Trays, and Winter sowing!
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Just a really quick update about some of the new seed starting options we're trying this, and it's all because of you guys! So thanks (as always) for the tips, advice, feedback, and support!
There is a bit of a learning curve on the soil blocker but I absolutely love mine!
This is a bit off topic but thank you for always talking the way you do, I know that may sound weird but you always sound so calming and soothing and it just makes your videos such a therapeutic watch for me. Not only does it remind me of when i was younger in 4-H and the like, its calming like a meditation video. So ya, thanks again and Im so happy I found your channel years ago!!
Thanks so much for your kind words! That really means a lot to me. I'm glad you found us too! :)
Agreed. I clicked on this video and let out a sigh of relief, knowing that something soothing would soon follow. And now, I'm off to film my dewberries in bloom.
Hard agree!!! I was considering making a comment like this, your videos are high-quality and easy to watch and understand and we really appreciate it
Agree totally, don't like to watch loud folks when hubby is sleeping. I understand people get excited but please!!!we click on videos to find information, and this guy and gal always has plenty of that.
Yes! Which is why I hope he makes videos for winter sowing. It’s very relaxing and informing listening to these videos. Soothing!
great ideas!
Glad to see u got them, I started seedlings this year with the soil blocker and I'm very happy with the results
Oh, I'm so glad to hear they they've worked so far. We're excited to try them, but still apprehensive.
@@BackToReality I'm in my second year of soil blocking. Just make sure the soil is wet enough before you press the blocks and you should be fine. Then you also have the added bonus of not having to immediately water them! When you have the blocks inside and standing next to other blocks they don't tend to fall apart. Funnily enough, after putting the seedlings in their soil blocks in our raised bed, I could still make out the original block even after months and after the plant itself had become huge.
Its great to hear from you :) Hopefully there is a longer video coming soon ;)
I started my seeds in newly purchased (plastic) seed trays and the first plants are going to be transplanted next week :)
No, no. Thank YOU for uploading. (BTW, I must have missed the "winter sowing" video, cause...ummm... what is that you dem be doin there with dem plastic containers in the snow?)
Kinda having a rough time this spring. Hopefully I will feel better soon and get out in the garden. Keep up the videos - you inspire me!
I'm sorry to hear that Ann. I hope the progressively nicer weather helps as well!
In the meantime, we'll get the next video out as soon as possible, just for you ;)
Where’s the update vid 🤔
"Finish that darn fence" 😆
Thanks so much for all of these wonderful little updates!!
You're welcome! :)
The videos take a lot to produce, but we're trying hard to make the more regular.
I've also been curious about soil blockers. The reviews I've seen have been mixed.
Yeah, that's what we've found as well. I LOVE the concept, but I've been concerned about the practicality. However, with so many people saying such good things about them in the comments, we figured we might as well give them a shot. And of course, we'll let you know how it goes... *fingers crossed*
Same here, really looking forward to your experiences. I'm particularly interested in the "microblock" that is meant to be used for germination which then gets plonked into the normal size soil block next. The minimalism in it is appealing but I have no idea if I could get the soil block structure to hold together like it needs to.
I'm curious to see how it works. How are you both doing? Is Paula hiding from videos these days?
Loving your content so much! 💙
Sending gratitude from a Daoist monastery near Seattle!
Winter sowing seems interesting, pls do a video about that
Will do! :)
We're really excited about the concept, and are hopeful that it works well. But either way, we'll post a video about it later in the season.
We tried the soil blocker route... for us it was a waist of money... Unless you invest is a very low (read zero) pressure misting system, have access to good quality clay soil, or spend money on either plaster of Paris, or gypsum (Both of which will eventually mean having to amend for pH) the soil blocks fall apart into nothing. The press itself cannot take 300lb of force, and that is not enough force to press starting mix or potting soil... I know several commercial growers, all of whom tried and abandoned this process long ago, BUT, on the other hand, if you decide that you like it, let me know, and if I haven't already given away mine by then, I'll see about getting it to you!
You will not look back. I've been using the soil blocker and paper pots for three seasons now and I cannot be happier. No plastic! Only strong happy seedlings....and no transplant shock! Happy planting.
I have that same soil block maker....I never quite got the soil mixture right....it was always too hard or too soft. I look forward to hearing your experiences in the future!
I also just started using soil blocks this year and so far they are awesome. I made more then I needed to see if they can be stored and rehydrated at a later date. I will be posting that video soon, but in short it seemed to work. Good luck
I have been using soil blockers for about 11 years now and wouldn't use any other method for seed-starting. I find that placing the blocks in trays without drainage is just fine. I often water the trays between & around the blocks, and let the water syphon upward into the soil. In addition to the soil blocker you've shown here, I also use the "maxi" size, which is about 4" x 4" with a hole the size of these 2" blocks in the center. The small blocks fits right into the larger one. For a few plants which require a bit more time indoors, this is an easy way to transplant to the next size up. Since we are at 9,000 ft in the Colorado Rockies (USDA Zone 4b) with frost-free days from June 15 - Sept 15, I need to give most plants a good head start. This is done in our heated greenhouse. I often start the seedlings in the 2" blocks, transplant them into the greenhouse beds for 2-4 weeks, then dig them up to transplant outdoors when the time is right. After starting in these blocks, they are easy to dig up for transplant. Occasional minor mishaps are not usually a problem. Conventionally, it is not recommended to start things like bean or beet seedlings indoors because they don't transplant well. However, I ALWAYS start them indoors with these blocks and they do much better than beans or beets direct seeded in the ground. Thanks the great videos, I've just subscribed!
Would you be willing to make a video or videos detailing winter sowing, how-to’s, and maintaining it? I’ve been saving my milk jugs but am finding conflicting information with other resources. Ty!
I have not used the soil blocker since I have issues with hand strength and a slim pocketbook! I saw a video of someone forming them by hand and that method has worked for me. My equivalent to the 2" and 4" blocks resemble small and large avocados or pears! I make mini blocks using a small condiment plastic "cup" - they are small enough to fit in an 18 egg container so I take up very little space in case seeds don't germinate. I had a few clear egg cartons so they act as mini-terrariums letting in light while keeping moisture in. When it is time to step up, I mold the 2" "avocado" around the mini then again when I step up to the last size before going outdoors. It does take longer than using a soil blocker but I find it relaxing and I'm not usually in a hurry. The air-pruning creates dense roots that I can toss a soil block from hand to hand without it falling apart and the pear-shape provides nice air flow. My first soil mix was peat, perlite, vermiculite, composted soil and worked well...basically the Eliot Coleman recipe with a few tweaks. The second batch included a small amount of coconut coir and held up also but I will leave it out next time. Good luck! I enjoy your videos! Thanks!
Always nice to watch a video from you. I didn't remember these things existed, so I've gone and search a bit about it and youtube has suggested me a video from a channel I used to watch called "RED gardens", by this guy in Ireland. I'm not related that channel at all, so my recommendation to go and take a look is sincere, and his video about soil blocks make come in handy to prevent some issues if things are not done properly, or so it seems.
BTW, I said he is in Ireland, but I read somewhere that he's from Canada, so I guess that's an extra point, isn't it? ;-)
It’s no good !
I couldn’t wait to see how you got on blocking so I bought a couple of blockers too. Made my first mud pies yesterday ! They stayed as blocks .....well, for 18 hours they have
Biggest thing to keep in mind is having the soil very wet when pressing blocks. You'll quickly figure out the right amount of moisture. If you get that right they won't collapse/break off/disintegrate.
So glad to see more videos from you! Inspirational content. Keep them coming!
Thanks so much Michael! :)
Can’t wait for the results! 😊
I look forward to hearing if you have success with winter sowing or not, I'm giving it a try this year based on a video series on a RUclips channel called Esther's Gardening Adventures :-)
Noooooooo, too short.lol🍄
Have you seen this? ruclips.net/video/sRPP4Ilpxso/видео.html When I watched it, I thought, "Derrick needs to see this!"
The good thing is you can put one small block into a larger one and still no container needed. Especially long term needs like tomatoes.
Would love to hear an update on your soil block making =D
I’m looking forward to seeing you use the soil blocker.
College student here! I saw all the discussion going on about soil blocks here and did some fun googling myself. I'm excited to see if these work out for you, as I really like the sound of this option. I'm trying to germinate lavender in my dorm and I made my own soil blocks..... aka broke college student version with just a hand-compressed lump of soil lol! When I "grow up" and own property, I have lofty ideas about a homestead: honey bees, green house, roof garden, solar panels, alpacas, wool processing and spinning, yarn dyes, lavender fields, small orchard, lots of canning, and a huge set of raised garden beds using the Ruth Stout method like you guys have done. Back to the point, you guys are so inspiring and thanks for continuing to add to my bucket list as well as doing the experimentation for us. Hopefully I'll get to a point where I can test my own side projects, but until then, you have a fan eagerly watching from a little 9 by 6 room!
Would you consider doing for permaculture what Rex Krueger has done for woodworking projects and make a playlist that just goes through turning a weedy meadow into a permaculture farm step by step? I love all of your videos, but having a playlist with no nonsense and just the blow by blow of how to do it would be VERY helpful as I get overwhelmed by all the details as I'm sure many other people do too. I've got some seedlings started under a grow light... Now I need to go work the land... And I have no idea when the heck I'm going to get a fruit tree in, or buy a soil block kit, or finish that darn fence. Oh no...crap. 😩
Hahaha I feel the same way! But miraculously my weed covered garden from when I moved in 2 years ago is somehow rather lush and green and productive despite me stumbling my way through 😃
I really enjoy this channel, please upload more regularly!
Can I get a bit more information on those bottles?
Please consider adding your channel to Rumble
I’m so excited you guys are trying soul blocking, there are only a few gardeners that I really trust the opinion of (because they are as particular as I am). I know you’ll do a thorough review!
I ordered one and when it came the block size was less than one inch!!
I wonder if the mixed reviews on soil blocking is to do with the seed raising mix people use for it, could you try an experiment like adding some clay to the medium to see if it help to keep the blocky form better?
Thanks for all the videos you make, the editing and production doesn't go unappreciated!
A good starting mix is important. I like to pre-wet the blocking mix and to also get the moisture content just right for blocking. Too wet and you get compacted blocks, too dry and they don't hold together well. I try to achieve an evenly moist 'soil,' such that no more than a few drops of water can be squeezed from a handful of the mix. Screening the starting mix is important. You don't want large sticks and chunks in your blocking mix. I have been using Sunshine #4 screened through 1/4" hardware cloth with good results as a soil blocking mix. Water gently with a mist or from below to reduce erosion of the blocks.
The graphics are great but miss seeing the real videos.
I got a new idea. I bought an egg cracker that removes just the top part of the egg shell. Used an ice pick to poke holes in the bottom. Seeds of plants that need calcium go in the egg shells after adding sprouting mix. Tomatoes already in the ground with the egg shell. First time but I don’t see any reason for them to fail.
Huh, that's a really interesting idea!
No dig tree planting! Just lay down cardboard, mound up 2-3 feet of compost, and plant.
Lol, we'd need a stepladder for sure, to pick the fruit! ;)
Nice!!! We haven't tried soil blocks either. In fact, I end up having a bad time starting seeds indoors anyway (in central Arizona, so NO windows in our home gets direct sun and hardening seedlings off is really harsh, lol...) but I keep meaning to get that going. I'm spoiled by a super long growing season (basically all year really) and just direct sow, but it's easier to get a well-planned grid when planting seedlings than with direct sowing. Anyway, I really appreciate all of the information. It's even helpful to us here, lol!
Coming from up here in Canada, it's REALLY difficult for me to sympathize with you about having TOO MUCH SUNLIGHT. lol ;)
That said, it's really interesting how our local conditions change the game so much. As you say, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to harden off where you live. Once we have a chance to give the soil blocks a proper try, we'll be sure to let you know what we think! :)
That's like me complaining about too much rain and clay to someone in a dry region with sandy soil 🤣 the troubles are real haha
In our tropical region there is little point in seedling trays - just more fuss with hardening than is necessary. The seedlings that germinate in the beds are much more hardy and productive.
BUT I still use trays to get seedlings going away from the tropical downpours. I also use them when I know I'm going to be harvesting something and I don't want to waste the gap left behind. I don't have a lot of beds to plant into so an empty 2 square metres is very sad to see
@@kellymorgan4783 LOL!!! Yes, I wasn't meaning to complain! We all have our challenges. Our summer ends up being like most people's winter, and that's how I used to treat it, but I have learned from some locals about plants that take even the 120F (48C) heat and I am growing all year long, so it's hard I guess but like almost anything knowledge is key. Actually sometimes (somebody is going to hit me, lol) I wonder if it wouldn't be nice to have a season off. And there are definitely plants we can't grow because it never gets cold enough for them to enter their dormancy cycle (many fruit trees), but we do get moringa. So, yes, it's all a pros and cons game.
Interesting. I'll be keen to see how your soil blocks work out.
Presumably the blocks are packed together and then seperated in time with a large sharp knife?!
Blessings from Tipperary, Emerald Isle.
💖🙏🌻
That's pretty much our understanding so far. Use the tool to create the compressed blocks, pack them together in a tray, and then separate them when it's time for transplanting. We should know more soon though, while we learn as we go ;)
I believe the metal sheet creates a small 1mm seperation between the soil blocks if you get the mixture right. That's enough space to air prune the roots.
But mostly I see the mix is usually too wet or too dry to keep that little seperation.
I tried the paper pots on some habanero peppers, and the ones in the paper pots vs. traditional plastic pots are growing noticeable slower.
Whoa interesting! Any hypotheses about why? Any other differences in their environment, etc?
Merci from Montreal, Canada.
Wth. Saw a new video, got a snack and drink to sit down and enjoy this and was over before i even started. Toooo short
Haha!!!!!
Good vibes your way 💕
Excited to see the results!
I bought a soil blocker too and man its so finicky.
My issue at first was the spring was preventing the part sliding and pushing the soil out from clearing the bottom of the tool. So the soil block would be 4/5th out the tool and that 1/5th was enough to just rip the top of the block with the seed hole. I cut the spring 2 loops and fixed the issue.
The biggest issue is the soil mixture and the moisture. My garden soil didn't work with the blocker because too much clay and it was sticky all over the mechanism even with light water. My garden soil is like 50% compost, 10% sand 10% loam and 30% clay.
I went to pure compost and it had nothing holding it together and it just crumbled apart.
I used miracle grow potting soil and it was almost enough but still too crumbly to hold its shape. You need to get a precise mixture of water to make the clay tacky and the amount of clay to hold the block together but not too much to make it too sticky that it doesn't leave the tool mixed with compost/peat moss/organic material
You are describing EXACTLY what we've feared would be the case. We're determined to give this a solid try, but we also remain somewhat apprehensive for now. Thanks for the tip about the spring! If you come up with any other fixes for the soil mix, please do let us know.
@@BackToReality I feel like if you have the formula down for the soil mixture it would be smooth sailing. I've been trying to figure it out for the past month since I got the soil blocker and I still haven't gotten it to the point where I could spit out blocks fast.
@@BackToReality I wish I could remember where I found the right soil mixture for soil blocking and how damp it needs to be, etc, but I would do a search for what optimizes soil blocking to help on your journey!
Loved your birds & that far-away rooster!
Re: Tree planting. The Ellen White Method looks interesting...religious ideology aside.
The planting method works, not the religion!
@@sylmarie6494 The planting method is worth a try for certain. My next small orchard will at least contain a comparative trial. I've suspected there is a better way to plant fruit trees. This shows promise based on vids I've seen.
😎👌👍✌🖖😁
Thank you
Sources for soil blocking please? 🙂
I watched this video before buying my own soil blocker: ruclips.net/video/EQueN2ZPitY/видео.html
I would not recommend you sprout seeds in bottles as it can cause plants to become root bound it is far easier to just Direct sow the seeds and cover them in a clear plastic storage crate
Thanks Jon! I guess the main disadvantage for direct sowing is simply that we'd have to wait until the ground had thawed completely. Whereas, the bottles allow us to sow the seeds while there's still snow on the ground. That said, we don't yet know if the earlier start time actually makes a difference. lol. Either way though, thanks for the tip!
@@BackToReality I’ve been able sow the seeds while the ground is still frozen by covering the ground in a layer of potting mix or compost and sprouting the seeds in that rather than in the soil
@@critterjon4061 Oooh, of course! That's a good idea! And then you just cover them with clear containers, like a mini greenhouse?
Where did you learn to make these amazing animations? Could you do a video about how you do them? I love your work! Greetings from Germany
Would love to help with that darn fence! Living in southern Ontario as well. Let me know.
Can't wait to see the results. We are in Ontario too...the hot weather has me wanting to plant....however it is normally only safe in May in our area. Feeling very impatient.
Great video thank you
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
Awh! You are a clever dude!
Respect from Africa 🇿🇦
Man I hoooooope you are able to figure out a good soil mix for that blocker! I’ve temporarily given up on mine.
I’ve had trouble with this as well. I tried the Elliot Coleman formula but it seemed too dense for good root development. I started going less compost and more coco coir which seems to be working but still a bit early to tell. With some exceptions I always seem to have trouble seed starting.
Thanks Derrick!
Hey Trevor! No problem! ;)
My wildflower seeds started sprouting the other day 😌
No link?
Good point!
After scouring the local stores on and offline, we ended up finding this etsy shop. They only had one left in stock at the time, but it looks like they may have them again now: www.etsy.com/ca/listing/943961124/bundle-of-two-cedar-planting-trays
I absolutely LOVE your blogs and the way that you present your information!! My only complaint... Wish you posted more frequently!!❤️❤️ KEEP IT COMING GUYS!👍❤️💚
Thanks so much Sydney! I really appreciate that!
The videos take a fair amount of time/work to produce, but we're trying hard to post more frequently. :)
@@BackToReality I feel like y’all put much more content than most vloggers( with charts, spread sheets, etc. ) so I can certainly imagine that it is more time consuming than most! Thanks for the effort and the quality!👍😊
I love soil blocking! I have the micro 20, the 2" blocker, the 1 1/2" blocker, the 4" blocker, and I just got the stand-up 20 blocker for Christmas!
I'm inspired by your enthusiasm! I really hope we end up loving them as much as you do! :)
And THIS is why I haven't ordered a soil blocker 🤣 once I indulge in one, I'll want all the sizes. And that steals money from another budget that doesn't exist 😉
I've seen a few videos of people who passionately used soil blocks for several seasons and then explained why they don't recommend them 😞
It's like owning a vintage camera with a digital camera being more user friendly and more efficient.
I'm not sure I want to make an art of seedling starting.
YET.