How can you be more efficient at seed starting than using a plastic tray that holds 72 plugs? Let me tell you, there IS a better way!
Most everything I’ve learned about cut flowers, I’ve learned from talented and inspirational farmers here in Whatcom County and around the world. Thanks to living in the Age of Technology and the World Wide Web, I have access to immediate answers to any questions I could ever think of. As I devour facts along this informational journey, I’m constantly distracted (squirrel!) by new intrigues and wonders. And like the mysterious pull of gravity, I am off on a rabbit trail to discover a game changing jewel I never knew existed.
One such path introduced me to an urban flower farmer named Lisa Mason Ziegler (author of the book, Cool Flowers). She possesses a selfless generosity to share what she has gleaned from her many years of growing cut flowers in a relatively small space. She gives credit to her farm and seed starting success to a strategy called Soil Blocking.
What is Soil Blocking?
Tiny seeds are placed in the center of a tiny cube made of a perfect recipe of “soil batter”. The tool used to make these cubes is called a Soil Blocker. Lisa says most of her starts are made with a mini 3/4 inch soil blocker, so I bought one. The 3 by 4 inch mini blocker makes 20 cubes at a time. That’s 20 plants in 12 square inches!
The relationship between the soil block and the seedling make for a perfect pair! The tiny seed stays perfectly moist on top of the block. It has access to immediate nutrition and has the ideal environment to grow roots. As the roots stretch out toward the block’s edges, the air triggers them to stop. At this point, a secondary root system will begin taking up the space in the cube. This is how the tiny seedling can start off with a “killer” root system!
When the timing of starting the seeds is mastered, these cubes are hardened off (a gradual period of time to get them use to being outside) and then directly placed into the ground.
I started 160 starts in my $70 Amazon greenhouse on two of the 6 shelves in just over an hour. No plastic trays, no tubs of potting soil, way less space…I’m sold!
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