Soil blocking isn't complicated. Once you've done it a few times, it takes less effort than filling a tray of plastic pots — and there's no plastic to throw away when the season's over. Here's exactly how it works, start to finish.
Step 1: Mix the Soil
Start with a good seed-starting mix and add water until it holds together without being soupy. This is the part most people get wrong the first time — too dry and the blocks crumble apart, too wet and they won't hold their shape when you eject them.
The squeeze test tells you when it's right. Grab a handful and squeeze. If a few drops of water run out between your fingers, you're there. If nothing comes out, add more water. If it pours out in a stream, the mix is too wet — add more dry material and mix again.
Step 2: Press the Tool Into the Soil
Once your mix is ready, press the soil blocker firmly down into the tray of mixed soil. You want the blocks fully packed — no air pockets, no loose corners. A firm, even push all the way down gives you a block that holds together through transplanting instead of falling apart in your hand.
Step 3: Eject the Blocks
Lift the tool straight up and press the handle to release the blocks onto your tray. Each block comes out with a small indent on top — that's exactly where your seed goes. No guesswork about depth or placement.
Step 4: Plant the Seeds
Drop one seed into the indent on each block, according to the seed packet's depth guidance. Cover lightly if needed, water gently, and you're done. No plastic pot, no transplant shock later — the roots in a soil block air-prune naturally, so when it's time to move the seedling up to its next size, it goes in without disturbing the roots at all.
That's the whole process. If you want to go deeper on any piece of it — what makes air-pruned roots better than a plastic pot, why the Micro 20 to Mini 4 to Maxi sizes nest together, or how to keep blocking through the colder months — those are covered in separate articles linked below.
Related Reading
- Soil Blocking Recipes
- What Are Soil Blockers?
- Soil Blocks Support Healthy Plants
- Soil Blocks Provide an Ideal Germination Environment
- Winter Soil Blocking Guide
Ready to start? Browse the full Ladbrooke Soil Blocker line, or start with a pre-made set if you're new to this.