OH MY GOD. That swift blocker helps my OCD so much since everything is all straight 😍 WOW!

I had one of those in my cart the other day and took it out because I just never appreciated to advantages of having such an expensive item. Your videos are so helpful in helping me make a more informed decision. Thank You! Just discovered your channel TODAY! I'm hooked too it now.

2" blocks stack nicely as an alternative to potting up in plastic.

@waynegretzky8464

Жыл бұрын

Okay so are you saying instead of up pot you just stack the cube on top of one new cube? And let the roos grow down into it?

@Likefrieswithat

Жыл бұрын

@@waynegretzky8464 exactly

hi. Tip for mini -before filling I rinse my mini soilblocker - soilblocks do not stuck...

The Swiftblocker is amazing! So cool seeing how it works!

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Isn’t it cool??❤

@dlv0187

Жыл бұрын

It is very cool but it is way overpriced. Something like that should NOT be $300.

@Elementtreecompany

Жыл бұрын

​@@dlv0187 I understand your perspective as a consumer, but as a small business owner who has to make the tough pricing decisions of products and services I disagree. I don't know their product margins but I imagine its not as much as one may think. I'm curious what about the price and the product makes it feel overprices for what one gets for the purchase? Here is my take: The product is metal-based framing, not plastic, and is made domestically in the USA--not built and shipped internationally, and price includes shipping. I value small business innovation and efficient tools made by practitioners of a given trade, and this product aligns with that, too. The product is very reusable season after season and year after year, and will pay for itself after one round of seed start sales. If one already soil blocks then one already knows the prices of current soil block equipment: I have a standup soil blocker and a handheld blocker of comparable size and those blockers priced out are same price as a swift blocker, all without the hand strain of squeeze-release soil block equipment. If someone feels comfortable with metalworks, or even a jigsaw with metal blade and aluminum material, yes, it would be easy to make a comparable product for well under $100, but that isn't an option for everyone. Thus the swift blocker really is a solution for a lot of serious grower problems around starting and transplanting seeds efficiently and economically and regeneratively. The product's target customer's are clearly serious small to mid scale growers, not casual gardeners, so if someone is making a lot of soil blocks for their business or homestead, this is huge on all fronts that matter most to that target customer--meets the gap between hand/standup blockers and large scale commercial automatic blockers. As 21st century humans with the opportunity and privilege of watching videos online, our time is one of the most valuable commodities we have. So, for less than a $1 for a year use, or less than 20cents over five years, for a swift blocker is a no brainer when compared to the time lost in that same timeframe using a slower, less efficient system.

@Simlatio

7 ай бұрын

​@@dlv0187 Think of glass blowing as an example. Everyone everywhere loves a drinking glass, so there is a market to invest in mega factories consisting entirely of robots that produce thousands of glasses an hour, where you can buy a beautiful drinking glass for $1. A coloured glass peacock statue is not something everyone wants, and so there are no mega factories of robots to make them. Instead, a small group of artisan glassblowers spend many hours handcrafting a handful of them for a tiny market. To be able to make this an honest living, it is necessary to charge $1000 for this peacock statue. Drawing a parallel to garden tools, you can see how a shovel which as a high demand item, has entire factories set up to spit out thousands of them using largely machinery and sold in hardware stores around the country, is going to be far cheaper than an item like the swiftblocker. Unlike the shovel it is not in high demand, does not have a factory producing them, is created by an individual or small team using largely manually operated tools or workstations and as a result are produced in relatively low numbers relative to the amount of time required to produce them, and so must be sold at a higher price to compensate.

What a great video. I didn't see it before I started soil blocking but luckily, I bought the 2-inch blocker. It is the right size for me as I can transplant most crops directly into the ground without repotting and for those that must be repotted like tomatoes 2 inch are substantial enough to handle the early growth. After a year of successful soil blocking I will say you covered everything that's important to know about buying and using a soil blocker. I'm going to go find your video on putting together a right soil mix plus soil blocking you covered in another video! I've gotten pretty good at figuring that out but I expect that video will help me find tune it based on your experience and your terrific ability to explain. Thank you!

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Yes the 2” is very versatile if you have the space for it!!! ❤

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

(And thank you for the kind feedback!)

@greggsadler4387

Жыл бұрын

What a nice, positive, and helpful post!

@MilliePat

11 ай бұрын

I have 200 blocks that never germinated any seeds, can I reuse these blocks or should I compost them and start a new mixture?

The Swift Blocker! Might have swooned. 😍

Soil blocking has been on my goal list for a while now. So glad you’re educating and selling!

Great information. Thanks.

Great helpful video!

,this was really helpful thank you so much x

Thank you for the incredible videos . I’m watching fir the trays . Thank you for the great tips! I just started with soil blocking.🌸

Thanks for this great video. I have been seeing the 4in blocker for the next potting up. Do you use that? Thanks

I like your tip about putting your knees on the swiftblocker to get a good press. I noticed that some of my blocks were sinking lower than others, and I’ve been troubleshooting to get them all even. I haven’t used soil blocks before, but I’ve jumped right to the swiftblocker because we have a flower farm. I’ve been busy learning how to use it and seeding my Lisianthus this weekend. Nothing like learning using the most expensive seed 😅! Hopefully all goes well. Thank you for taking the time to show us what works for you.

Great information!

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!❤

Thank you very much for the details. We decided to use soil blocking for our lisianthus next spring. Somehow, Nicole from Flower Hill Farm decided not to use soil blocks last december for her lissies but we’re trying your tips (from the previous video). Glad to learn from your experience 😊

Year I just bought some of the sturdy plastic pots to fit into the 1020 trays for seed starting and potting up. The mini sounds like one to try and learn to master to make the most of the pots I already have, and when they start failing, I can add the larger sizes into my tool collection.

I’ve been using a mini blocker for a couple of years now, great for tiny seed. And I block them into a recycled Indian take away plastic tray, 2 per tray, as the lid on top stops them drying out. They hardly need any watering until well after germinating. I don’t find I have fungal issues, as the seedling are soon potted up!

Great video. Why the fiberglass tray? Doesn't it hold water and make them soggy?

Thank You!!!

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! ❤❤

Where did you get your greenhouse? I'm looking for a 8'x8' size one or even 8'x16" Thanks so much! 😃

Could you tell me where you ordered the swift blocker? So cool!

Do you sell starts? I really want to try this but I do sell plant starts and am wondering what would be the best way to do that with the medium blocker? Thanks! I love your channel!

What would you recommend to pot up from mama bear size to? Is there an insert into the papa bear one to fit the mama bear plug?

Ok, this may be a silly question but how do you water these? Do they not fall apart?

How do you get the seeds in the large one. It seems to be a lot of seeds to set into place.

Do you have a link for the medium (5 blocks) and the large (4 block) soil blocks? Thanks!

What starts do you use in the small blocker? I have it but still not sure what I'm going to use it for... I have my standup 20 blocker

How do you label your blocks. I have been using soil blocks for a few years now but the biggest issue I have is keeping up with what’s what!

Does the 2” one come with both inserts? I would have little need to pot up so I’d just put directly into the soil. I’d need the smaller insert.

Can the larger blocks (1-1/2 inches) go straight from seed to transplant in garden for tomatoes?

Where can I purchase additional seed dibblers? Are they all universal, or do I need a Ladbrooke for a Ladbrooke soil blocker? Thank you! Also, what brand of shoes are you wearing at 14:26 in the video?

I just bought the mini 5 blocker. Have tried and tried but cannot get the dibblers in. Please help.

Is there anything you start in the small blocker that doesn't have to be potted up before transplant? I ordered it not even realizing how tiny it was lol

Do you have a link so I can buy that flat bottom 10x20 tray? I've been looking everywhere to find one, but all the fiberglass trays I find are only 9 inches wide, which I don't think is wide enough for the swiftblocker.

When talking about Pitt Moss, you mentioned not knowing if it is “P FAS” free (or something of the sort). What does that mean, please? I’m guessing it’s some type of systemic chemical? Thank you! I so enjoy all of your videos, please keep them coming!

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

PFAS are highly toxic “forever” chemicals common in waterproof paper and other products. It’s also in our rainwater and composts made with biosolids. You can read more here: www.ewg.org/what-are-pfas-chemicals

What would be the best size tray to start approximately 200 1-1/2" blocks?

I'm very interested in investing in a swift blocker! Is it something you use a lot? Or would you recommend sticking with the smaller ones? I'm farming on a similar scale to you :)

How often are they watered?What is your watering method?

Link to the trays you put the soil blocks on?

How many of each size fit into a 1020 tray?

So where do we buy the Mama Bear? Swiftblocker does not have it.

I bought a 2" maker eons ago and used it a couple times but having to do it all myself, I resorted back to 72 cell flats filled in one fell swoop to save time. Now those cells are getting out of control and it's just something else I have to clean and store, and frankly they're so thin they break easily. So I bought the smaller 3/4" maker to germinate with and move them up to the 2" for final sale and planting. Yes, it's a dirty job, but ultimately once you get the process down pat, it does save time and space.

@simd510

10 ай бұрын

What the point of starting it in a smaller soil block and potting up. Why not just start it in the final size block?

@CoffeeCakeCrumble

10 ай бұрын

@@simd510 for me it's maximizing initial space so I'm not wasting soil and footage, smaller starting blocks also means less water retention so damping off is less likely.

You mentioned caring for them…I’ve been using soil blocks for the past few years and my blocker is a bit rusty. What would you suggest? Scrubbing with steel wool and then oiling?

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I’d try linseed oil! Don’t store it in the wet mix. I need to oil mine, it’s squeaky haha

@emkn1479

Жыл бұрын

@@Blossomandbranch oh I would never store it in the mix but it got rusty at some point. Who knows how. I just bought flax oil for my cast iron pans so that’s perfect, now I have another use for it. Thanks!

What brand is the 2in and micro or 3/4 in?

@alicensacres3693

Жыл бұрын

This is my question too. A link of where to buy them would be great! Thank you so much for your wonderful videos! So inspiring and empowering!

@MagdaKalejova

Жыл бұрын

Neumím aglincky můžez napsat český

there are 0 videos of the long term 4 inch blocker... love to see if the blocks stay together

@Blossomandbranch

4 ай бұрын

I personally don’t use that one! Too big for my needs, the only thing I pot up are tomatoes and I just pot those up into the same 1-gallon pots every year personally. The 4” is expensive!

Where does the seed go ?

Dying to know--what brand of garden clogs are those??

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

They are from garden heir :)

Where do I buy those soil blockers from?

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Ladbrooke is my go to blocker, beware the Chinese knock offs!

I just want to buy an appropriate soil block mix. Hopefully something easily available - not Vermont Compost. IDK why I can't use a good quality potting mix.

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

Most potting mixes just don’t hold together that well and crumble without a binder but you can always give it a shot!

@karunald

Жыл бұрын

@@Blossomandbranch someone would make bank selling a perfect mix. Would Espoma Land & Sea compost work as the compost part?

@MagdaKalejova

Жыл бұрын

Cupko

No clue why they don't make 1" soil blockers. That to me seems to be the right size for smaller operations.

The 35 stand up soil blocker would be a lot easier and quicker than the swift blocker. Check out Bare Mountain farm.

@Blossomandbranch

Жыл бұрын

I actually hated the stand up version. It doesn’t work in a small space like mine. The swift blocker is a great solution but way beyond what a home gardener needs. :)

Totally confused me, I thought the theory of soil blocking was to put the blocks on an open based tray, not solid. Solid trays promote root entanglement, open based promote air pruning of the roots, which to be fair, was why soil blockers were invented.

@gammondog

Жыл бұрын

As long as the blocks aren’t touching each other, the roots will be confined by the air in between. The bottom of the blocks rest on bare tray so the roots won’t have a path into an adjacent block.

*which

I don't see the blocker that you're using in your store of stuff you're selling. There's nothing for 40 or even $50. Their little tiny ones are three hundred and seventy five dollars and less, but all in the hundreds. Help please

@Blossomandbranch

6 ай бұрын

www.amazon.com/shop/blossomandbranchfarm

@Blossomandbranch

6 ай бұрын

You should be able to find the small ones there, in tools!

I think the swift blocker looks tedious. I like to sow lightly into any type of container, and never transplant. I just use a spoon to dig them out and plant in the garden. I do soil block a few and prick out sometimes to have some larger plants for a first succession. You don't need to succession plant when you have different size seedlings. But don't listen to me I'm only a small time flower farmer with a farmhouse wedding venue. I have so much to do I have to cut corners