Jen Fulkerson

I brutally removed most seedlings that didn't look good. It was hard for me, I'm the person who always wants to save everything. I keep hearing about plants that get stunted and survive, but never really become productive. I have seen this happen a few times, so I decided to start over. Strangely the Tomatoes did the best.  

I was quite impressed with the first set of soil blocks I made, they were easy to make, looked perfect, and really held their shape. I didn't like how hard they were to water properly.   I'm sure with practice I would eventually figure it out, but starting over now is very late for my claimant, so I'm  going back to what worked for me in the past. I added a good amount of sifted potting soil and a sifted bagged compost to what was left of the first recipe.(I wanted to  lighten up the mix, and maybe have less biology? ) I was sure this was going to make it much harder to make my soil blocks. It didn't. The technique I learned make a huge difference. The blocker was easy to fill, made perfect little blocks, and I didn't have to rinse the blocker after each one. The blocks look good, but definitely aren't as firm. My first batch I could toss from hand to hand and it would keep it's shape. I'm pretty sure these would fall apart if I tried that.
I will restart all my peppers, some tomatoes and and some herbs. Who knows maybe starting later, and having plants in pots a much shorter time before they can go into the garden will end up being a good thing, time will tell.
As for the 2" blocks I have greatly reduced my watering, and the difference is amazing. The seedlings are growing and putting on more leaves, and no more soil gnats. It's surprising how fast things turned around once I realized my mistake. Of course I wish I would have figured it out sooner, oh well. It probably hasn't hurt that it's warmed up a lot too.
Wish me luck for round 2. Thanks

I live in N California zone 9B, and for me Rosemary is a plant that just wants to be left alone. I have the best luck when I plant it near something that wants attention. The one planted behind a raised bed never gets watered, and I couldn't possibly use that much rosemary. It gets butchered occasionally when it's taking up to much room. It's also one of the only plants I can plant into the ground the gophers don't destroy. I don't know if they don't like it, or it's exceptionally tough.
I have had good luck with cuttings. I tried the method where you put damp sphagnum Moss in a clear plastic bin. I put root tone on the bottom of the cutting. The cutting goes in the moss. put the lid on. I opened it every couple of days to let fresh air in. I don't remember how long it took, because it's been a while, but most of the cutting rooted. I planted them once there was a good root system. I planted what I wanted, and gave a bunch away to family and coworkers.

I read somewhere petunias repel asparagus beetle. So I planted petunias In my asparagus bed. Does it work? I honestly don't know if I even know what an asparagus beetle looks like. I get so much asparagus, and it tastes better than I imagined it could, so maybe 🤔.  In my zone the petunias are perennial. They look pretty, and when the petunias Wilt it reminds me to water in the summer when the asparagus is just a pretty fern like plant.
I've read basil, nasturtium, comfrey, and tomato. I haven't tried any of these, because I grow in a raised bed (gophers prevent me from planting anything in the ground) At this point there just isn't any extra room.
Good luck

I really enjoy those videos, and thought about doing something like that on a smaller scale. what keeps me from it is knowing I don't have enough materials to compost. ( I'm pretty sure he also gets additional compostables) I would have to bring in out sourced stuff to compost. Maybe I can do it someday, but right now I have enough on my plate. Just something to think about. Good luck

In the beginning when I first learned about fermenting grains a lot of people did it in a 5 gallon bucket.  I decided not to go this route because it gets so hot here in the summer, I was worried it would spoil. I've been making daily containers for years. It can be a pain in the rear, but it works, my chickens are very healthy and the eggs are great. They seem to enjoy them above everything except meal worms.
This winter I have had so much going on, and it takes several days in the cold for the grains to ferment. I was filling the weeks feed containers on my day off, so probably half the week they were really getting soaked grains instead of fermented. I decided to give the bucket a try. It's been so much easier. Once a week I add more grains to the bucket, and add enough water to cover. I think the grains are fermenting faster because the liquid in the bucket is kind of like a sourdough starter. it keeps things going. Evey day I stir the grains, and use a strainer to scoop it into there trays.
I will continue to do this method as long as I can. I don't have high hopes for it in the summer, but we will see. It's definitely easier, and I'm all about one less job to do.

I made a bin, It was easy, it worked, and I just couldn't do it. Adding scraps which you have to do very often, is disgusting. I tried to turn my mind off, not think about it. I just couldn't do it. It's a bummer I'm so squeamish, I really wanted to eliminate buying bsf. My hat is off to all you who can do it.

That's an interesting thought Jay.  Maybe, I think it's just a totally different way to grow. All the videos talk about how to make the soil blocks, but no one, at least that I could find really teaches how to grow the seedlings once you're got the blocks down.  
It's a totally different animal so to speak. The typical seed soil is light and airy. It not too difficult to tell when it needs water. Soil blocks by nature are dense and compact. At least for me it's very difficult to tell when they need water. The people on YouTube seem to think it's easy to tell. I'm pretty sure when I put my 3/4" into the 2" I managed to over water the 2" blocks and have a bunch of seedlings die of thirst.. I'm not sure if this is true, but it's what I believe, because the roots were still in the 3/4 blocks, and I was bottom watering. I left the water for about 10, 15 minutes then pour the excess water out. Add that to my cool drafty old house, and it' seems to be a bad combo.
I have greatly reduced the water. I'm watering from the top. These changes have helped .
Another suggestion I may try is to use a heat mat and elevate the tray so it's not sitting directly on the mat, but giving enough warmth to dry the blocks between watering.
So far my conclusion for me is Soil blocking is a great concept. In my opinion it's a totally different way to grow plants and requires a lot of patience and experimentation.
Soil blocking may be worth it, but for me at this point of my life, I think I will stick to my method of starting seeds in 3/4" blocks, and up pot then into pots almost as soon as they germinate into pots with a good soil.
I'm always trying to learn new things, try different methods, and do what ever I can to up my game. This means sometimes I learn what doesn't work for me. I guess the deciding factors are did it work? Did I get good results,?Did I find joy in the process?

Soil blocking sounds like such an amazing way to grow seeds. My first attempt did ok with 3/4" blocks, but a total fail with the 2" blocks.
I gave up on the 2" until this year. I watched a great video on YouTube, and thought I'm going to try again.
Armed with a new recipe, and new technique I made my 3/4 and started my seeds. I made 2" blocks, and I was so happy. Oh yeah I've got this now. Famous last words. I think I have been over watering, I think maybe my house is to cool for soil blocks.  At least that's my best guess at this point.  I don't think I have ever killed this many seedlings before. To be honest I'm just not sure it's worth the effort.

It's good timing this post has been revived. (seed starting time for lots of us)
Anne I love the boxes you made. I might have to make myself some. I like the cardboard dividers too. It makes it customizable.
I tried the paper pots. They were ok, but not for me.
I still have lots of those cheap thin dollar store pots. I never would have guessed they would last so long.
I watched a guy on YouTube who made me want to try 2" soil blocks again. The recipe and technique he uses has made a world of difference.
The only downside is his recipe uses peat. I try to not use peat.  I think I will try to perfect my blocking abilities, then work on tweaking the recipe.
https://youtu.be/mFonCh7D-_o?si=RhnMO___Au-j9cPM

I wish I could give great tips for growing lisianthus, but this is my first time, and I'm not doing very well.
I know It like to germinate in soil in the mid 70s. They  require light to germinate.  It takes a long time to germinate. If it gets to hot when it's young it will rosette which means it grows leaves, but won't flower.  It stays a small seedling for a long time. Also because the seeds are tiny they come pelleted, which I understand don't last very long, so there's no point saving seeds.

I was worried about them getting to hot so I think I started my first batch to late, outside, then moved to the greenhouse. out of 75 seeds 1 sprouted. I don't think anymore will sprout, but I keep checking just in case.
I'm trying again in the house on a heat mat in hopes that a more constant temp will make a difference. I ordered 2 colors, from sellers on Etsy. One came smashed to dust. I sprinkled it on soil blocks, because I have to try. ( I contacted the seller, and they are giving me a refund)

I guess my best trick is to find someone who is good at growing them and trade something you're good at growing.
Good luck