Those Brits and Their Soil Blockers

Google Images.

Leave it to the British to have an answer to the modern proliferation of gardening plastics; all those little fossil fuel containers that find their way into our recycling bins, and worse, into our landfills. 

These little gadgets have been around for hundreds of years. Why am I only now discovering them? 

I purchased three Ladbrooke models from Pottingblocks.com: The micro 20-block; the mini 4-block; and the maxi 1-block. Basically, all one does is mix up you potting mix (there is a recipe), punch out your blocks, and plant. Really effin' cool.

Images from Pottingblocks.com.

Once your little sprouts are ready to transplant, simply drop them into the next size soil block.

I made micro (3/4") and mini (2") blocks. When the larger plants are ready for transplanting, I'll make some large blocks. Most of the two-inck blocks will go directly in the raised beds.

Since soil blockers really increase the germination rate, you only plant one seed per block. There's no need to cover the seeds with soil.

With the larger blocks. you need to cover the seeds with a little potting soil.

Then you mist the tops with water and you're done. And for those of you who rightfully point out my use of plastic trays, please know that they're built to last many years.