I will give you all some "MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT SOIL BLOCKERS". First of all, a soil blockers compacts more soil in a cube than just "filling up a tray", actually it will then contain three times the soil in a compressed block than if it were to be loose filled. That is the real benefit. All that compressed soil is room for your roots to grow. Secondly, the video is garbage, but let's get it straight. Space your blocks if you want to air prune and keep them in the block longer. Keep 'em close (factory setting) if they'll be in for a short time and you don't want to water as much. And, cambse, if you can pack your tray with three times as much soil than filling it loose, than WOW! aren't you a genious. But, alas, you are not, as the plastic would break. Third, for those that say soil blockers are too much work would be best to go to Walmart and pickup some more plastic containers to be thrown in the dump in a year or two. Soil Blockers are a process to make your own seed starting pot and soil and seed hole, all in one; OF COURSE IT WILL USE A LITTLE EFFORT! Just wait 'till all your cheap plastic runs out. You'll wish you would've INVESTED in a soil blocker, BECAUSE THEY LAST FOREVER! So, if you're reading this listening to people who complain how expensive they are, do the math, one time investment for a trouble free product, or, year in and year out of the five and dime for a crappy plastic seed starter tray. Fourth, You do not NEED a capillary mat. It may be useful for those who aren't involved with their plants, or for those who have to work all day. Misting is the best, even for those who have a heavy hand on the water wand BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLETELY SELF DRAINING. Fifth, make your own soil blocker with instructions at my site. Sixth, start your seeds as early as you want in soil blocks and harden them off in a senen day period while your soil warms up. don't listen to those who DON'T use soil blocks for transplanting information BECAUSE PROPERLY HARDENED OFF SOIL BLOCKS ALWAYS GROW FASTER, EARLIER, MORE YIELDS, AND HARDIER THAN OTHERS. And finally, Johhny's does NOT sell a potting soil specifically for soil blockers. It may do alright, but it is sterilized, too bad, as it won't be able to inoculate your garden soil with the good stuff. The only company in the world that sells a potting soil for a blocker is my company "Old Farm Boy", and we'll be in every store in a few years. Ask me, I'll give you a FREE SAMPLE. So, after six years and over one million blocks made, I AM THE POTTING BLOCK GURU, and I am here to serve those who want to learn. Here is a link that might be useful: The World's Resource for Soil Block Gardening.

jimster - This is only my first time using blocks, so I'm not the best one to give advice. But so far they seem to be holding together. Like Dave says, your mix shouldn't have large chunks. I tested pro mix mixed with compost, and those blocks held together really well. But I wanted a coir based mix, so I mixed my own. That mix uses about 1/2 coir, 1/4 perlite and 1/4 compost, plus a small mixture of amendments. Those blocks aren't as solid as the pro mix/compost blocks. But so far they're doing ok. I messed up with my seed germination, but I'm keeping some of 'em so I can experiment with the blocks. I'm going to start over on the 12th when the moon's in a better place:) I added a link to an ebook on soil blocks. Here is a link that might be useful: link to ebook on soil blocks

They are pricey I agree and they can reduce transplant shock. But I have found that they also dry out very fast because of the increased surface air exposure and so require more careful monitoring or you will get markedly reduced germination rates. Learned that the hard way. ;) It can be a bit difficult to get your soilless mix just right so that the block retains its shape but isn't too hard for root penetration. Once you do making the blocks goes quickly. You'll need some sort of containment trays to hold the blocks until ready to transplant them to larger containers. Hope this helps. Dave

i have not tried the soil block makers but soil blocks work well so it sounds good. i cant recomend the newspaper pot makers.tried that and the seedlings didnt grow and eventualy turned yellow.i suspect denitrifying bacteria feeding on the paper was the cause as to the 55 i fear you would have trouble with mold and fungus.i use one of my many tanks as a rooting tank filled part way with lite soil. any and every cutting goes in there befor it goes to the compost. many that are eager rooters survive and i think more would make it if i used rooting hormones.but i keep a fairly large hole open in the lid at each end for air and mist daily