My Favorite Way To Start Seeds Indoors Without Using Plastic Trays
In this post we'll be looking at one way I plant seeds with out using plastic seed trays. It will be a little more work but you wont have to mess with storing, buying and throwing away the seed trays. The tool is called a Soil Block Maker. It reminds me of something you would build sandcastles with at the beach. Lets see how its done!
This Soil Block Maker makes 2 inch by 2 inch square. Big enough to start any seed from pumpkin to lettuce and cost any were from $20-$30. They sell all different sizes. Even ones that you can stand up and use.
In the inside of the Soil Block Maker there are plastic nipples that leave an indention in the soil to plant the seed in. You can also change out the size of the of the nipples for different seeds if you would like.
Worm castings aka Black Gold that I'm adding to the potting mix. It will add extra nutrients and help the potting mix hold together in the blocks.
Daddy Pete's potting mix. It is made organically and right here in North Carolina! We buy local as much as we can.
Stir the potting mix wile getting it very wet.
Add the worm castings to the potting mix and mix them together well.
Add more water. The mixture needs to be very wet at first to hold its shape and not fall apart. Just like needing wet sand to build a sandcastle.
Plunge and wiggle the Soil Block Maker in to the soil a few time until it is full of the black gold.
Check the bottom to make sure it is full of the soil. Leaving gaps can cause the blocks to crumble.
Press the soil blocks out. I use these old Pepsi carriers that were going to be thrown away to press my blocks on to.
After pressing them out you will have four 2 inch by 2 inch squares with a perfect little divot on the top to plant your seed.
Six rows of four will fit on the Pepsi carrier witch gives me 24 seedlings per flat. Not Bad..
What will be planted today. Depending on the crop we will be planting new seeds in blocks every week to two weeks. When the soil gets constantly over 50 degrees Fahrenheit we will switch to direct sow.
Yellow Sweet Onion
Broccoli.... Brussel Sprouts
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Lettuce
Lettuce
Be sure to label what you planted. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between the seeds and the plants at early stage of growth. If some of the seeds don't germinate you may want to pop another seed in the soil block right away and with a label this makes it a lot easier.
Put you seeds in a place that will be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Some early season crops can germinate at as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
We had just enough room in the basement garage under the light with the Fig and Elderberry cuttings. The temperature stays about 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit this time of year. Perfect tep to start some lettuce, brassicas and root crops.
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Very interesting way to plant the seeds, I see the cat will have nothing to do with.
Have a great weekend
That was our mouse catcher Whiskers. She likes to photo bomb when she gets the chance. 😆
I love how your re-purposing those Pepsi tray containers... Using something that was used to give so many people diabetes... Now used to heal..
Thank you @obiwa! That's a great way of looking at it!😍
Super! I bought one of these blocks a while ago in preparation for "going" big. LOL! We have yet to be on our property full time but I'm nothing without big ideas. Your use of throw-away items is wonderful. I'm that person that stops by the trashcan and rescues the plastic tray or what-have-you from the dump.
Thanks for showing how these blocks work. Can't wait to get mine out of storage!
Thank you @fivedogfarm! Once you get the hang of using it, it will go pretty quick!
Interesting. I've often thought about getting a soil block maker. Is there anything special about the potting mix other then that it is local that makes it good for the soil blocks?
Really great post by the way. Very thorough.
Thank you! Yeah the mix does matter a little bit and keeping the blocks together. The reason I chose this mix was it because it has some finely shredded bark fibers and when it gets wet it holds its form. And added some worm castings to help it hold its form as well. I have heard that a coconut coir potting mix is the best for soil blocks. But I don't have anyone local that makes coconut coir potting
That’s pretty cool! I worked in a greenhouse once and we wasted so many of those little plastic trays. This seems pretty ideal and you definitely have your method down. Thanks for sharing! You’re definitely getting me motivated about starting my garden in the Spring!
Thank you! I was getting tired of those plastic trays and found this.
Its a good alternative.
I've never seen a soul block maker! I'm sure my kids would love to help me with that job! They're usually pretty eager to help outside anyway, but little gadheta make it especially fun! We built. Hugelkultur bed last year and while it was fun trying to guess what was growing where, I'm just not experienced enough to identify those young plants. This year I will definitely be doing more labelling! Thanks!
Thank you @crowbarmama! Kids love to play in the dirt and mud. I'm sure they will enjoy it.😁
Awesome idea! I was always so frustrated about how the plastic tray would start to shred to pieces and cumble after a year or so after they went through really hot and freezing temperatures.
Thank you @dartistdreams! I shared your frustration. 👍
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Thank you @fernowl13!
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