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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