@lalokingman I use the vermiculite to cover the seeds rather than soil because it seems it allows the seeds to germinate and come up a bit more quickly and easily. It's also much easier to work with!
Your videos are really well done! Thank you for showing these techniques. Much appreciated! Too bad we don't have black peat here in Canada. I could just replace that with the equivalent of organic compost; see how that works. Heading to Johnny's website now to get a soil blocker! Johnny's should pay for your advertising of their products!
What are you using for trays? I've been using regular cell pack trays, but they flex easily and stress the blocks. I also tried cafeteria trays which worked quite well, and were easy to store, but didn't have high sides. Sill looking for the ideal tray.
The best way that we have found to keep the blocks moist is to pack them tightly together, then immediately cover them with sheets of clear plastic saran wrap. We recover them as soon as they are planted and watered--and leave them covered until the seeds sprout, when you will have to water at least once a day. Good luck with your spring planting!
@loudlikenature Thanks for the question. The "mats" that we are using are actually corrugated plastic. Like you, we have found that the blocks tend to dry out. I would suggest using a little more peat moss in your mix--it may be a little different where you are.
Thanks so much for this video, it's been very helpful. We've started using soil blocks this year but they've been drying out so fast that we can't keep up with watering them. I noticed you guys were using some sort of capillary mats on the trays with the blocks.
Could you point us in the right direction as to what the best product or material to use for the mats. I've read everything from 100% wool or bulk felt rolls. We want to be sure that we're choosing the right stuff. Thanks!!
we made these the same way when i worked at a plant nursery about 30 years ago but didn't use a machine, we just pressed good topsoil in a cardboard box that soda cans came in , made sure it was real wet and scored the blocks with a knife and poked holes with our fingers and add milorganite to the holes with the seeds, kept them wet and they worked good.
thats the stuff right there. nice job!
lawrencerjose 4 days ago
what is the purpose of the vermiculite?
lalokingman 2 weeks ago
@lalokingman I use the vermiculite to cover the seeds rather than soil because it seems it allows the seeds to germinate and come up a bit more quickly and easily. It's also much easier to work with!
FrontPorchFarm 1 week ago
Excellent I liked your tools and style. Keep up the good work
Sbhabhi 2 months ago
This is amazing. Mudpies for grownup.
itsjustdeb579 4 months ago in playlist More videos from FrontPorchFarm
Your videos are really well done! Thank you for showing these techniques. Much appreciated! Too bad we don't have black peat here in Canada. I could just replace that with the equivalent of organic compost; see how that works. Heading to Johnny's website now to get a soil blocker! Johnny's should pay for your advertising of their products!
aprilreeves1 6 months ago
Black Peat. I've never seen that in stores?
swanz199 9 months ago
@kekawaka We use standard nursery trays that fit vegetable six-packs, with corrugated plastic cut to fit the the bottom.
FrontPorchFarm 10 months ago
@jihappytoes We purchased our soil block makers from Johnny's Selected Seeds.
FrontPorchFarm 10 months ago
where can I find the soil block maker that you use
jlhappytoes 10 months ago
looks like you have a very high germination rate!!!
Great Vid!!!
Very informative!!!
impalapez 10 months ago
What are you using for trays? I've been using regular cell pack trays, but they flex easily and stress the blocks. I also tried cafeteria trays which worked quite well, and were easy to store, but didn't have high sides. Sill looking for the ideal tray.
kekawaka 11 months ago
The best way that we have found to keep the blocks moist is to pack them tightly together, then immediately cover them with sheets of clear plastic saran wrap. We recover them as soon as they are planted and watered--and leave them covered until the seeds sprout, when you will have to water at least once a day. Good luck with your spring planting!
FrontPorchFarm 1 year ago
@loudlikenature Thanks for the question. The "mats" that we are using are actually corrugated plastic. Like you, we have found that the blocks tend to dry out. I would suggest using a little more peat moss in your mix--it may be a little different where you are.
FrontPorchFarm 1 year ago
Thanks so much for this video, it's been very helpful. We've started using soil blocks this year but they've been drying out so fast that we can't keep up with watering them. I noticed you guys were using some sort of capillary mats on the trays with the blocks.
Could you point us in the right direction as to what the best product or material to use for the mats. I've read everything from 100% wool or bulk felt rolls. We want to be sure that we're choosing the right stuff. Thanks!!
loudlikenature 1 year ago
@Bobby Lime raises the pH and lowers acidity, sweetening the soil so that the plants have an easier time extracting nutrients from the soil.
FrontPorchFarm 1 year ago
we made these the same way when i worked at a plant nursery about 30 years ago but didn't use a machine, we just pressed good topsoil in a cardboard box that soda cans came in , made sure it was real wet and scored the blocks with a knife and poked holes with our fingers and add milorganite to the holes with the seeds, kept them wet and they worked good.
mrhulot101 1 year ago
try mixing in a cement mixer,.. works awesome...
have a Blessed day
arizonachristian 1 year ago
i did not catch why you use the lime. I know why you did everything else but i just dont know what the lime is for.
thanks
bobby
bobbyrod38 1 year ago
That's awesome except for one thing, where does a guy get the soil block maker ?
I3addogy 1 year ago
@I3addogy Johnny's seeds has them. Google it.
havokeachday 1 year ago