Cost
To soil block the traditional way, you ideally want soil blockers. So there is special equipment needed for this process. And these soil blockers are an investment. Most decent soil blockers cost around $100. Thatโs quite an expense for many of us home gardeners. Thatโs why we were stoked to discover these 2โ soil blockers from Bootstrap Farmer.
At the time this blog was written, the soil blocker is going for half of what they normally go for. And often a cut in price means a cut in quality. But Bootstrap Farmer is known for only carrying supplies they use on their farm. So theyโre high quality, durable supplies that hold up on a farm. This makes them even longer lasting in most home gardening environments. Bootstrap Farmer also carries a smaller ยพโ soil blocker. If you want to plant in the ยพโ and then transplant to the larger 2โ soil blockers later, be sure to get the inserts for that.
While there is an investment cost up front, soil blockers will last for years and years, often they can last longer than a lifetime with very small replacement costs!
Earth Saving
Not only will they save you money from disposable and plastic pots over time, they save the earth too. Who wants to keep the earth cleaner and their pocketbook more full at the same time? We sure do!
Now, if youโre a first year grower, you might want to wait until you have a few years of gardening under your belt and be sure that you plan to make gardening part of your lifestyle before investing.
Time
Soil blocking can be a bit more time consuming while youโre getting the hang of it. Soil block seed starting mix recipes are a bit different than other mixes because the mix has to stick together to maintain its shape. And it has to be dense enough to keep its shape, but not so dense that it suffocates seedlings.
Getting the mix just right requires patience and persistence. If youโre short on time or in a hurry, this may not be the ideal seed starting method for you. Once you get your recipe down and get
accustomed to filling and emptying the block maker, making your seed blocks will go more quickly. Just be prepared to spend extra time in the beginning getting the hang of it.