Authentic Ladbrooke 5-Pc Essentials Soil Blocker Set, England

I have only used the smaller soil blockers to start flowers for a small cut flower bed, but it was super easy to use and I wish I bought it before I started all my seeds this season. I had great germination and what i love best about this is the amount of space it saves to start them in the soil blocker. I was able to start 300 seeds in my tray were I could only start 72 small cells in the same tray before.

Really well built, I believe this will last for a long time. The soil blocks are simple to make. I turn the blocker over and pack it by hand in order to ensure that they are consistently filled. Simply pressing the blocker down into the mix works as well, but requires more force. My only complaint is that the micro block insert for the mini blocker is difficult to install. Rather than the quick release that the dimples use, they are screwed in. This was probably due to the increased suction around the block, but the screw holes are directly below the handle making it a difficult angle. Overall the product and concept are both great. I can't say that it's faster or cheaper than using jiffy cups, but it will create stronger, healthier plants that will better survive transplant.

Works perfectly, you just need to make sure to clean and dry after use to avoid damage or rusting. I sprouted many successful violas and pansies in a small space with this method. I rotate between soil blocking and using seedling pots. I still haven’t gone an entire season using JUST this method. When the successful sprouts are large enough, they get moved to a pot or the ground. Not every plant can be grown in the smaller size because they will outgrow it FAST. For example, I sprouted Dahlia seeds in the 1 inch squares and had to move them to the larger block a few days later because they grew very quickly and needed more soil to spread their roots. But the small size was perfect for my lettuce, and viola seedlings that take much longer to grow. If you are going to use this method, you might want to consider how you are going to keep the soil blocks moist. I recommend investing in seedling trays that have a plastic dome cover to lock in moisture. In our Southern California heat, they will dry out FAST if left out in the open sun. I mostly use them for indoor growing because I can keep an eye on them a lot easier. Also, I struggled with the larger sized blocks falling apart any time I watered them, so I’ll need to get trays that can be bottom watered without pouring water onto the soil blocks.

I am super excited using this product but my issue with indoor gardening with this is how often am I supposed to be watering with this. When am I supposed to be taking the plants outside for hardening. There is a lack of information on this and that is a bit frustrating. It certainly has a learning curve. Though I do recommend it regardless. We'll figure it out together because our world doesn't need anymore plastic and other natural products are still hurting the planet just in a different way like peat moss farming.

I have not been able to use it yet, and will update the review when I am able. As for the five stars the quality it excellent. Very pleased to see its not put together cheaply. Also like the fact that it comes with multiple size Dibbles. Update: Make sure you get the right soil mix. See you tube. Grew a lot of transplants with this. The small one broke at the handle, but was able to glue it back together. Wish it was a little sturdier, bends easy. Otherwise worked well, and seeds grew well. Initially gave it a five but after some use, and the problems with the smaller block maker a 4 is more appropriate.

These soil block makers are sturdy and well made. The handles may be less comfortable if you are processing thousands of blocks, but some tape/padding could fix that pretty easily. I don't have a problem with the handles at a rate of a hundred every week or so. What seeds go in which blocks? The smaller 20 soil block maker is really only going to be useful for small or slow growing seeds. But it really shines there! If your seeds tend to germinate quickly and grow an inch in the first week, then you'll want to skip the 20 soil block and start right in the 4 block maker. I use the 20 blocker for basil, snapdragons, statice, love in a mist, impatiens, coleus, (a lot of flowers and herbs). Many garden produce seeds (brassicas, tomatoes, peppers, squash, etc) will grow too quickly and you'll be potting them up 2 days after starting them. (many squash seeds wouldn't even fit in the smaller soil blocks to begin with). There are excellent videos and tutorials on how to mix and make soil blocks but here are some basic tips that I've found helpful: 1- Find a soil recipe that suits your block size- smaller blocks tend to need more peat 2- take time to screen your peat/compost/potting mix (doing this while the soil is dry is easier) 3- get your mixture wet, like really wet! I have found that it packs better and comes out of the blocker cleaner. when you are packing it in the blocker you should see water squeezing out. 4- keep a bucket of water on hand to rinse the soil block maker every couple times, this helps the blocks release easier 5-give yourself some time to practice by telling yourself you aren't going to plant in your first 3 tries. toss the dirt back from those back in the bucket and get the hang of it first 6- when arranging the blocks in trays, leave yourself enough room to gently pour water into the tray and to get the blocks back out when it's time for transplanting 7- use vermiculite on the block surface for moisture retention and better germination rates. you can run vermiculite through an old spice/coffee grinder for really tiny seeds 8- always gently bottom water your soil blocks so they don't come apart or drift Soil blocks are not great for: -being able to be moved around a whole bunch (you can move a whole tray, but it gets tricky to move the blocks individually before the roots are holding the block together) -surviving being knocked onto the floor D: -holding plant tags (you have to mark trays or wedge a tag in between the blocks) -for large or long term plants (If you want a gallon sized tomato plant, you should probably by some reusable plastic pots instead- but you could still start them in the blocks)

Sturdy, easy to use, excellent quality

The day that I got at one of the dowel pins broke on the first use. It was the longer dowel pin, and it was the first time I had used it, which was really disappointing. The smaller dowels worked great and planting my starts was so much easier using their soil blocker. I am currently reaching out to them now about the one pin that broke and will update when I get a response.

I haven't tried them yet but they look like they are the ticket!