Plant Cold Tolerant Crops

I have been feeling the pull to start planting for several weeks now, but today I received an automated email reminder from myself. It said "Plant cold tolerant crops". I guess I can't procrastinate any longer... It just so happens that a friend asked me to help make soil blocks this weekend for a community garden that she is helping to start. I wrote her an email describing my experience with soil block making and thought that I would copy it here since it provides a good summary of the equipment and methods that I have adopted.

Dear Kristin,
Do you know what will be planted in the 1200 blocks? I plant different seeds in different sized blocks for optimal use of potting soil and grow light space. For instance, peas work well with the 1.5" blocks because they can be transplanted immediately into the garden as soon as they get a few inches tall. The 1.5" blocks are too small to receive the 3/4" blocks, so anything started in 3/4" blocks will need to go into 2" blocks as the next step.

I have four different models of soil blockers:

3/4" blocks 20 blocks at a time, 224 to a tray ($29) - this is where I start with smaller seeds. However, the seedlings quickly outgrow the small block and need to be transplanted into 2" blocks. (http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/hand-held-20-soil-blocker-9528.html)

1.5" blocks 5 blocks at a time, 48 to a tray ($33) - this is great for peas and anything else that just needs a start under optimal conditions and then can be planted immediately into the garden. For larger operations, you can also purchase a (http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/hand-held-5-soil-blocker-7001.html)

2" blocks with 3/4" square dibble 4 blocks at a time, 20 to a tray ($33) - these receive seedlings started in the 3/4" blocks that need to grow on under lights. These can then be transplanted into the 4" blocks or 1 quart yogurt containers when the seedlings get a few inches tall. They can also be planted directly into the ground if appropriate. (http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/hand-held-4-soil-blocker-9527.html)

4" block with 2" square dibble 1 block at a time ($92) - I just got this at the end of last season and haven't used it yet. This is typically used for receiving the 2" blocks once the seedlings have reached a few inches. This would be for plants that need a long start indoors before planting out, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.

(http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/hand-held-1-soil-blocker-9016.html)

For commercial operations, Johnny's makes soil block makers that make medium sized blocks 12 and 35 soil blocks at a time.
 - http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/stand-up-12-soil-blocker-9015.html ($204)
 - http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/soil-block-makers/stand-up-35-soil-blocker-7465.html ($235)

Here is the tray that I use: https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-CT121603-Standard-Cafeteria-Black/dp/B07895KXHK/ref=sr_1_5

For a large operation, it might be better to use a tray like this: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/trays-domes-and-flats/soil-block-propagation-trays-5-count-9397.0.html

Working very efficiently with the 35 soil blocker, two people could make 1200 blocks in an hour (34 stampings). One person would need to be mixing soil while another is stamping and placing the blocks. In my experience, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to fill a tray working by myself. Doing rough math, if we were making all 1.5" blocks, that would translate into using 25 of my small cafeteria trays and would take about 6 man-hours. So, with 3-4 soil block makers (depending on whether we choose to use the smallest one), we should be able to make 1200 soil blocks in about 2 hours.

Here are my posts from last year where I felt that I developed a good system for starting seeds for my garden:
- http://southtownsgardener.blogspot.com/2017/04/seedling-setup.html
- http://southtownsgardener.blogspot.com/2017/04/seedling-progress.html

I am looking forward to working with you all!

ST Gardener