Why swapping seed trays for soil blocks helped me cut plastic and boost my seedlings’ roots
Eleanor Ashford
As the first rays of spring sunshine find their way into our gardens, there is a distinctive stirring, a symphony of growth begins. The daffodils wave their golden trumpets, and the scent of freshly turned soil fills the air. For many of us, this marks the highly anticipated commencement of seed sowing.
A few years ago, my spring preparations took a turn for the more eco-conscious. I traded in my much-loved but plastic-dependent seed trays for soil blocks. This simple yet revolutionary change transformed not only the way I garden but also the health and vigour of my seedlings. Today, I’d like to explore this transition and share why soil blocks have become my garden companions of choice.
The Plastic Predicament
Let us start with why I began this journey away from traditional seed trays. The wake-up call was the realisation of just how much plastic accumulated in my potting shed. Stacks of trays and pots from years gone by, each with a limited shelf life due to inevitable cracking, had created a veritable mountain. Disheartened by this ever-growing pile, I pondered a solution, one that aligned with my aspirations for sustainability and care for our fragile planet.
Plastic pollution is hardly a revelation. It is estimated that a vast amount of plastic waste ends up in our natural environment, where it persists for centuries. As gardeners, who hold nature in such tender affection, it is incumbent upon us to find alternatives that maintain our craft’s integrity while lightening our environmental footprint.
What Are Soil Blocks?
Enter the soil block, a practice with roots tracing back to the modest farms of The Netherlands. Essentially compact cubes of soil, held together without the aid of pots or trays, they are both a remarkable innovation and a return to simplicity. Held in form by precise compression through a specialised tool known as a soil blocker, these blocks become a nurturing cradle for tiny seeds.
One of the first observations upon switching to soil blocks was how immediately it reduced my reliance on plastic. The soil contained within becomes its own support, eliminating the need for those ubiquitous plastic modules entirely. Surprisingly, creating these blocks quickly became a meditative ritual in itself, as rhythmic and satisfying as knitting a new row on a cosy jumper.
Nurturing Stronger Roots
Transitioning to soil blocks was underpinned by a sincere belief in reducing waste, but the unforeseen advantage was the marked improvement in my seedlings’ development. In traditional seed trays, seedlings frequently encounter what I call the “spiral of doom,” where roots coil endlessly around themselves in search of escape. This is not only a waste of energy but causes significant stress when transplanting.
By contrast, soil blocks promote the natural, air-pruned tendency of roots to halt at the block’s edge. This process encourages the development of a fibrous root system, a veritable network of resilience. The result? Seedlings more capable of drawing sustenance from the soil, seemingly more vigorous too, as they are transplanted into the wide world of the garden proper.
Avoiding Transplant Shock
There is a reassuring serenity in the absence of transplant shock with soil blocks. For the uninitiated, transplant shock is a sort of botanical culture shock, where seedlings, upon being moved, suffer a setback due to root disturbance. Soil blocks significantly mitigate this issue, as you introduce seedling and soil block together to their new abode, the block softens seamlessly into its surroundings.
I witnessed this first-hand with my beloved tomatoes, those sun-warmed opals of summertime pleasure. Ordinarily, a slow and careful acclimation was needed, but with soil blocks, my seedlings appeared positively enthused the moment they settled into their permanent positions. I remember fondly the absence of sulking and rapid unfurling of those first true leaves.
Soil Blocks in Practice
You may be wondering how to embark on this soil-blocking adventure. Let me reassure you, it is entirely approachable and surprisingly enjoyable. All you need to begin is a soil blocker, an ingenious contraption, akin to a biscuit cutter for the earth. Mix a delightful blend of potting compost, a sprinkling of garden soil, and a dash of water to a consistency reminiscent of a chocolate batter. Then, with a firm press, your soil blocks take shape, earnest little squares waiting to be filled with promise.
The art of balancing moisture may require a modicum of trial and error. Too dry, and your blocks crumble; too wet, and they lose all structural integrity. On mornings bathed in the light of early spring, I've been known to hum softly to myself as I press row upon row, lulled into tranquillity by the rhythmic repetition of block and seed.
Mindfulness in the Garden
In embracing soil blocks, I've discovered an unintended companion, a mindfulness practice nestled in the simple rituals of gardening. As you measure, mix, and mould, you find yourself tethered to the present moment, guided by the rain pattering softly on the potting shed roof or a wren trilling enthusiasms from the apple tree beyond.
Gardening, with all its imperfections and triumphs, provides a direct connection to the earth and the ever-changing cycles. In choosing to garden more mindfully, cultivating sustainability becomes a quintessential piece of the practice, not merely an end goal, but a natural extension of our commitment to the green world.
The Legacy of Our Choices
It is this intertwining of present mindfulness and future vision that defines our stewardship. Each soil block promises the prospect of flourishing plant life, a testament to our choices. If we are to hand down a verdant world to the generations that follow, let us start with the soil beneath our nails and the little acts of care we weave into soil and seed.
So, may I extend an invitation to you, dear reader, to consider a shift towards soil blocking? Not only for the health of your seedlings but for the satisfaction of a craft executed with care, a step towards the legacy of a better world we all nurture.
Join me in the quiet revolution of soil blocks, whether you find yourself listening to the tender sigh of the warming earth or perhaps humming to your tomatoes on a sunny afternoon. In this small act of choosing, we can delight in knowing it is a choice that echoes kindly towards a future where our gardens and our planet flourish side by side.
A few years ago, my spring preparations took a turn for the more eco-conscious. I traded in my much-loved but plastic-dependent seed trays for soil blocks. This simple yet revolutionary change transformed not only the way I garden but also the health and vigour of my seedlings. Today, I’d like to explore this transition and share why soil blocks have become my garden companions of choice.
The Plastic Predicament
Let us start with why I began this journey away from traditional seed trays. The wake-up call was the realisation of just how much plastic accumulated in my potting shed. Stacks of trays and pots from years gone by, each with a limited shelf life due to inevitable cracking, had created a veritable mountain. Disheartened by this ever-growing pile, I pondered a solution, one that aligned with my aspirations for sustainability and care for our fragile planet.
Plastic pollution is hardly a revelation. It is estimated that a vast amount of plastic waste ends up in our natural environment, where it persists for centuries. As gardeners, who hold nature in such tender affection, it is incumbent upon us to find alternatives that maintain our craft’s integrity while lightening our environmental footprint.
What Are Soil Blocks?
Enter the soil block, a practice with roots tracing back to the modest farms of The Netherlands. Essentially compact cubes of soil, held together without the aid of pots or trays, they are both a remarkable innovation and a return to simplicity. Held in form by precise compression through a specialised tool known as a soil blocker, these blocks become a nurturing cradle for tiny seeds.
One of the first observations upon switching to soil blocks was how immediately it reduced my reliance on plastic. The soil contained within becomes its own support, eliminating the need for those ubiquitous plastic modules entirely. Surprisingly, creating these blocks quickly became a meditative ritual in itself, as rhythmic and satisfying as knitting a new row on a cosy jumper.
Nurturing Stronger Roots
Transitioning to soil blocks was underpinned by a sincere belief in reducing waste, but the unforeseen advantage was the marked improvement in my seedlings’ development. In traditional seed trays, seedlings frequently encounter what I call the “spiral of doom,” where roots coil endlessly around themselves in search of escape. This is not only a waste of energy but causes significant stress when transplanting.
By contrast, soil blocks promote the natural, air-pruned tendency of roots to halt at the block’s edge. This process encourages the development of a fibrous root system, a veritable network of resilience. The result? Seedlings more capable of drawing sustenance from the soil, seemingly more vigorous too, as they are transplanted into the wide world of the garden proper.
Avoiding Transplant Shock
There is a reassuring serenity in the absence of transplant shock with soil blocks. For the uninitiated, transplant shock is a sort of botanical culture shock, where seedlings, upon being moved, suffer a setback due to root disturbance. Soil blocks significantly mitigate this issue, as you introduce seedling and soil block together to their new abode, the block softens seamlessly into its surroundings.
I witnessed this first-hand with my beloved tomatoes, those sun-warmed opals of summertime pleasure. Ordinarily, a slow and careful acclimation was needed, but with soil blocks, my seedlings appeared positively enthused the moment they settled into their permanent positions. I remember fondly the absence of sulking and rapid unfurling of those first true leaves.
Soil Blocks in Practice
You may be wondering how to embark on this soil-blocking adventure. Let me reassure you, it is entirely approachable and surprisingly enjoyable. All you need to begin is a soil blocker, an ingenious contraption, akin to a biscuit cutter for the earth. Mix a delightful blend of potting compost, a sprinkling of garden soil, and a dash of water to a consistency reminiscent of a chocolate batter. Then, with a firm press, your soil blocks take shape, earnest little squares waiting to be filled with promise.
The art of balancing moisture may require a modicum of trial and error. Too dry, and your blocks crumble; too wet, and they lose all structural integrity. On mornings bathed in the light of early spring, I've been known to hum softly to myself as I press row upon row, lulled into tranquillity by the rhythmic repetition of block and seed.
Mindfulness in the Garden
In embracing soil blocks, I've discovered an unintended companion, a mindfulness practice nestled in the simple rituals of gardening. As you measure, mix, and mould, you find yourself tethered to the present moment, guided by the rain pattering softly on the potting shed roof or a wren trilling enthusiasms from the apple tree beyond.
Gardening, with all its imperfections and triumphs, provides a direct connection to the earth and the ever-changing cycles. In choosing to garden more mindfully, cultivating sustainability becomes a quintessential piece of the practice, not merely an end goal, but a natural extension of our commitment to the green world.
The Legacy of Our Choices
It is this intertwining of present mindfulness and future vision that defines our stewardship. Each soil block promises the prospect of flourishing plant life, a testament to our choices. If we are to hand down a verdant world to the generations that follow, let us start with the soil beneath our nails and the little acts of care we weave into soil and seed.
So, may I extend an invitation to you, dear reader, to consider a shift towards soil blocking? Not only for the health of your seedlings but for the satisfaction of a craft executed with care, a step towards the legacy of a better world we all nurture.
Join me in the quiet revolution of soil blocks, whether you find yourself listening to the tender sigh of the warming earth or perhaps humming to your tomatoes on a sunny afternoon. In this small act of choosing, we can delight in knowing it is a choice that echoes kindly towards a future where our gardens and our planet flourish side by side.