Grow Your Own Magazine

I was given a soil blocker for Christmas - a gadget that makes individual soil blocks to sow seeds in, and then transplant without the need to prick out and pot on into pots etc.

Has anyone ever used one of these - and if so, have you got any recomendations for the correct mix of composts to use? Apparently (in the old days) you could get special blocking compost, but none of my local nurseries sell it now. I'm assuming the texture will be crucial if the blocks are to hold together for long enough for the seedlings to put on a good root system.

Yes - and before anyone says - its does sound like an excuse for playing adult mud pies - but I garden on heavy Bedfordshire clay, so I can even make pots out of my "soil"!

Any help gratefully received.

have a look at this Blackberry Lane - Soil Blockers - Information sheet01

Hi there
I have made my own soil block makers, and have had reasonable success using normal compost, but am going to try the blackberry lane mix this time. The problem I had was the blocks drying out to concrete, and then when I planted them out, the roots can not penetrate the block to go into the soil. I put mine on wooden open fronted trays, and it is just the outer ones on the open side that dried out.
Another recipe for a mix is found in the new organic grower by Elliot Coleman. A superb book, well worth getting a copy in my opinion. Written for the American climate, but a lot of usefull information.
All the best
Huzey

Thanks to you both for your replies. I bought some coir blocks at B&Q recently and will try a mix based on that and some soil & multi-purpose compost combined. Sounds quite time consuming, but I'm hoping I will save some time not having to pot on plants all the time.

Thanks again.
Peta