We like to think of ourselves as "dirt-cheap" gardeners, and starting your own seeds is a great way to save big bucks in the garden.
An average packet of seeds cost around $2-$3, while one 6 inch tall plant can cost at least $3-$4. If you DIY it, you can get thirty plants for the price of one! Who doesn't want that sort of savings?
As Rachel Ray would say, "Don't pay someone else to do something you can do!"
Start your own seeds!
We've tried all sorts of ways to start seeds and we have been most successful with a tool called a soil blocker. Basically, you mix together your seed starting mixture and use this tool to stamp out blocks of soil to plant your seeds in.
These blocks are easy to plant in, easy to keep watered, and easy to transplant.
When we used to transplant our seedlings into the garden, we always planned on losing several plants from the transplant process, which can be rough on the plants. With the soil blocker, the roots grow to the edge of the blocks, and keep growing into the soil once they are in the ground. There's no transplant shock, no root-bound plants and no thick material the roots have to try and grow through!
Over the last couple of years, we've invested in a 2 inch soil blocker, which makes 2 inch blocks, and a micro soil blocker that makes 3/4 inch blocks.
The large soil blocker is ideal for starting larger seeds, like squash, marigolds, and even corn!
The micro soil blocker is awesome for planting large quantities of small seeds. We usually start around 60 tomatoes, so the micro blocks save a ton space compared to the 2 inch blocks.
To make the mixture for soil blocks you will need; 2 parts of peat moss, to one part compost, and one part perlite. You add in enough water so the mixture holds together. To test this, use your hands to pack the mixture into a ball. It should hold together like a snowball; it should be moist, but not so moist that it won't hold its shape. If it's too crumbly, add a little more water. If it's too wet to hold together, add a little more peat moss. (You can also add a handful of fertilizer to the mixture if you wish)
Stamp out the soil blocks.
Plant your seeds.
To keep the soil blocks moist, we store them in assorted plastic and foil containers, and pour water into the bottom of the containers for the blocks to soak up.
Once the seeds sprout we place them under grow lights, and once they're large enough, we transplant them into the garden!
It's super easy and, after the initial investment of the soil blockers, it's an extremely cost effective way to grow your own plants! Happy gardening!
