Soil Blocking and it’s Benefits

Here on the farm, I generally start all my flowers and veggies from seed. This allows me the utmost control over the plant and saves me money. In years past I would use plastic grow trays. The trays that I stored were always broken, crushed and in desperate need to be washed. I then discovered soil blocking! I found that soil blocking eliminates all of those issues for me and saves me time. You might be wondering what soil blocking is?

Soil blocking is a method of starting seedlings that has gained popularity in recent years due to its many benefits. Rather than using traditional seed starting trays, soil blocking involves using a soil blocker tool to create compact blocks of soil that you can use to start your seeds.

I purchased a Ladbrooke 2inch soil blocker from Amazon (this is not a sponsored post). There are several different sizes available. The 2″ is my favorite. Here is a link to an Amazon shop that has the soil blocker I used in my photo, https://a.co/d/2WTx7PU (again, not a sponsored post). It took a little bit to get the hang of and get my soil mixture to be able to hold shape but it was worth it! I use a mixture of peatmoss or Pittmoss, vermiculite and or perlite, as well as Kelp Meal. The kelp meal adds lots of minerals for the growing seedling and overall, I noticed a heathier plant.

Here are some benefits that I have noticed.

1. Space Efficiency: Soil blocking allows for more efficient use of space. The compact blocks take up less space than traditional seed starting trays. This is particularly useful for those with limited growing space. This one is huge for me! I never have enough space.
2. Improved Seedling Growth: The compact blocks of soil created with soil blocking methods provide an ideal environment for seedlings to grow. The soil is well-aerated, providing plenty of oxygen for my plants roots, and I noticed the absence of containers eliminates the risk of root-bound seedlings.
3. Reduced Watering Needs: Soil blocking helps to reduce watering needs, as the compact blocks of soil retain moisture more effectively than traditional seed starting trays. This is because the soil blocks have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio. Which means that they can hold more water per unit of soil. Although, I do find the smaller the block the more I need to water (especially when they are out of the green house when I harden the seedlings off).
4. Cost Savings: Soil blocking can also be more cost-effective than traditional seed starting methods. It eliminates the need for containers and can reduce the amount of soil required.
5. Reduced Plastic Waste: Soil blocking does not require containers. It can help to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by seed starting. This is particularly important for those concerned about the environmental impact of their gardening practices.
6. Better Air Pruning: Soil blocking allows for better air pruning of the roots of seedlings. Meaning, when my plants roots reach the edge of the soil block, they are naturally pruned by exposure to air. This promotes the development of a healthy root system and reduces the risk of root-bound seedlings.
7. Easier Transplanting: Soil blocks are easier to transplant than seedlings started in traditional trays, as there is no need to remove the seedling from a container. This means that there is less risk of damaging the roots during transplanting, which can help to promote better growth (this is the only way I start my sweet peas!).

Overall, soil blocking is a highly effective and efficient method of starting seedlings. I find I can start more seeds indoors which is nice because germination rates aren’t always consistent. Plus, my seedlings are overall healthier by the time it reaches the point where I can plant it out.

So, whether you are a small-scale hobby gardener or a larger commercial grower, the benefits of soil blocking are clear. If you are looking for a more sustainable, cost-effective, and space-efficient way to start your seedlings, soil blocking is definitely worth considering.