I've been rather annoyed cutting plastic netting off of my seedlings roots while I re-pot them, but actual soil blocks are kinda fragile if you don't get the mix just right. So I made some proof of concept soil blocks with 1/2 seed starter mix, 1/2 potting soil, some newspaper, a pvc pipe and a piece of steel that happened to fit the inside of the pipe(could use a stick or something).
First I rip the paper into strips and place them across the top of the pipe, more paper strips means a sturdier pellet, and you want the edges to overlap when you push it in with the dry side of your stick.
Add your soil/seed-starter mix and tamp with stick a few times, then push out bottom of pipe.
I put all of my pellets through the pipe twice so I could get the paper even on top but this seemed like a waste of time. I made like 20, but could make a hundred or so rather easily. Mine are slightly larger than the originals but still fit in the Jiffy tray
Anyways no more cutting off those stupid plastic nets for me, and added bonus way cheaper then the pellet refills.
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[–] summerstormAK 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I ditched all my 4-pack and 6-pack flats last year for 1/2" and 1-1/2" cube presses from Johnny's Seeds. The small cubes fit into a void in the 1-1/2" cubes. Last year was my first year using them, and I'll never go back. Now I need to find the perfect shallow tray for them that will ship to Alaska for less than a fortune...
[–] middle_path ago
I've been tempted by these things. For an under tray, someone else suggested a boot tray, they sell them at Walmart. Might be worth a look.
Personally I've been using plastic storage bins, 2oz rinsing cups with holes in the bottom, and standard starting mix. Pretty cheap and easy to do.
[–] dudelol 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Buy a soil press. One you stand on.
[–] Frowning_Buffalo [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I've never been one to buy things. I was given the trays and figured I could do this without buying anything.
[–] dudelol ago
Its amazingly worth the cash
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] Frowning_Buffalo [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Thanks for the advise. They look tighter packed then they are, without the paper they would just turn into little piles.
[–] summerstormAK ago
I've found that if I get the planting medium wet to about oatmeal consistency, the blocks form correctly and the plants do well. I suspect you could compact the blocks too hard, but I haven't found it to be a problem.
[–] Nadeshda 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
This is great, let us know how it works out... I may try this one day.
[–] RagnarD ago
Did your homemade soil blocks stay together? Did you put them close together supporting each other in the tray. I'm curious about homemade soil blocks but it seems they might not be as simple and foolproof as advertised.
[–] Frowning_Buffalo [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
They stayed together fine, and the sides do touch in the tray. I have another tray where the sides don't touch, and they acted exactly the same.