Comments on A Growing Tradition: Making Soil Blocks

I think Coleman promotes small-scale organic farmi...

2011-09-29T15:44:07.802-04:00

I think Coleman promotes small-scale organic farming practices and sustainable agriculture. One of his central principles is "small is better," advocating business growth through improved production and marketing, rather than physical expansion.

Thomas, I covered the seeds with potting mix and s...

2010-02-04T09:55:15.948-05:00

Thomas,
I covered the seeds with potting mix and set the tray on heat mat because they were leftover seeds from last year, I didn't know they would germinate or not.
According to The Kitchen Garden Grower's Guide -- seed planting depth 1/8 -1/4", germination soil temperature 65-75F, days to germinate 7-14 days, growing soil temp 60-80F, space 12-14", full sun to partial shade, seed vitality 1 yr. incompatible with broccoli and cabbage family plants, prefers acid soil.

Your blocks so neat and inviting all lined up in t...

2010-02-04T09:36:19.512-05:00

Your blocks so neat and inviting all lined up in the tray! It will be fun to watch as the seedlings progress from unplanted soil block to a transplant going into the garden.

I'm not sure soil blocks would be for me, I...

2010-02-03T21:32:16.875-05:00

I'm not sure soil blocks would be for me, I'm way to clumsy. Your looks really well made though, very neat. It would be nice to forgo storing all the pots.

I grew cardoon as an ornamental last year and I am trying to over winter them to bloom this year. Not sure if the cardoon flower is edible like the artichoke though. Both are striking plants even if you don't eat them. I must get my celery in too, thanks for the heads up.

Nice! I am itchin' to try mine out. Artichok...

2010-02-03T21:22:16.932-05:00

Nice! I am itchin' to try mine out. Artichokes, I'm jealous. ;)

They look great! Can't wait to see how the so...

2010-02-03T20:48:47.627-05:00

They look great! Can't wait to see how the soil blocks do, it's one of those things I have been eyeing for next year possibly...

Thomas..you should be able to find dried minced on...

2010-02-03T20:26:50.819-05:00

Thomas..you should be able to find dried minced onion right in the spice section ...with all the salt and pepper and other spices..

it usually is next to the dried minced garlic..that i have bought by mistake..look carefully..they look the same....

let me know if you make it :-)

kary

I don't think I've ever seen soil blocks b...

2010-02-03T20:15:44.376-05:00

I don't think I've ever seen soil blocks before. I'm so naive... They look good to me. Good luck with the seeds!

Thomas..nice going...looks like you are on your wa...

2010-02-03T19:26:36.289-05:00

Thomas..nice going...looks like you are on your way...

soaking sweet pea seeds here..need to get them in before the rain...

i have sweet pea love.....

i'll be back soon

kary

Oh, how exciting to see those blocks all lined up!...

2010-02-03T19:24:39.829-05:00

Oh, how exciting to see those blocks all lined up! I think I will plant some onions this weekend.

Wow. Those blocks look fantastic! I'm thinki...

2010-02-03T16:37:05.696-05:00

Wow. Those blocks look fantastic! I'm thinking that's got to be my next year's investment.

There's always something, isn't there. ;)

Beautiful blocks, Thomas! I do mine one at a time...

2010-02-03T16:10:03.332-05:00

Beautiful blocks, Thomas! I do mine one at a time and fill it by hand, pressing it firmly into the blocker with my thumbs. That pushes out excess moisture and makes the blocks nice and tight. It goes surprisingly fast, even at one at a time. I use plain vermiculite to cover all my seeds, and I use two plain old heating pads (with moisture proof covers), the kind you use on aching muscles, as my heat source. I place a rack over them, and set my seed trays on it. Otherwise they get too warm. I only use the heating pads for heat loving crops like peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.

Hi Mac, did you cover you seeds or just press them...

2010-02-03T14:50:04.573-05:00

Hi Mac, did you cover you seeds or just press them to ther surface of the potting mix. Just curious. I could not find any growing instructions for them at all!

Nice job! The soil blocks look good. I sowed some...

2010-02-03T13:19:58.094-05:00

Nice job! The soil blocks look good.
I sowed some alpine strawberries 3 days ago without cold treatment, some are pricking already.

Michelle - yesn they are yellow wonder strawberrie...

2010-02-03T13:19:56.529-05:00

Michelle - yesn they are yellow wonder strawberries. I'm glad you found them tasty. I can what to harvest some!

Your blocks look great ! Watching GrafixMuse and y...

2010-02-03T12:37:37.632-05:00

Your blocks look great ! Watching GrafixMuse and yourself forge such wonderful blocks has dispelled my fear of the crumble. :D
Nice work !

Those are very nice soil blocks. I had no idea we...

2010-02-03T12:00:51.576-05:00

Those are very nice soil blocks. I had no idea we could grow artichokes around here. Those may have to be added to next years list.

Wonderful! I love this part of gardening, there...

2010-02-03T11:30:29.409-05:00

Wonderful! I love this part of gardening, there's so much potential in those flats. Are those Yellow Wonder wild strawberries? That's what I've got started. I've grown them before and they are absolutely delicious. I can't wait to have them again.

Vrtlarica- I don't know if wild strawsberries ...

2010-02-03T11:16:43.156-05:00

Vrtlarica- I don't know if wild strawsberries fruit the first season. If they do, I'm sure they won't until the late fall. I'm planning on remaining any flowers that might develop during the first couple of months to allow th plants to put all of their energy into formign strong crowns.

Good job! Can't wait to see the new little spr...

2010-02-03T10:12:09.270-05:00

Good job! Can't wait to see the new little sproutlings...

Sowing season has started for you too… Soil blocks...

2010-02-03T10:03:07.374-05:00

Sowing season has started for you too…
Soil blocks do look nice; I’m looking forward to see how plants will grow in them.

How long it takes from sowing wild strawberry seeds to first fruits? Is it in the same year?
We have a small place under a pine tree where wild strawberries grow, but I have never thought that they can be sown just anywhere. I prefer wild strawberries to regular ones, the are much smaller but so much sweeter.

I don't put any of my cold loving crops on my ...

2010-02-03T09:53:36.828-05:00

I don't put any of my cold loving crops on my heat mat to germinate. Only the heat lovers like tomatoes and peppers. Some things like lettuce won't even germinate when it is too warm so I figure it is better not to use it unless necessary. I'm sure your scallions will come up just fine.

Your blocks look very nice. I found it took me a little while to figure out how to make mine well. I cheat though and use my hands to fill them up at the end. I find there is always one or two that didn't get enough dirt while the rest were filled perfectly. But as long as they stick together and don't fall apart they work.

Those look really good! Can't wait to see litt...

2010-02-03T09:52:08.653-05:00

Those look really good! Can't wait to see little seedlings coming from them later.