I think any container is up for grabs when it comes to wsing. In the last nine years I have used 1L yogurt, 2L ice cream, 1 gallon pails, 'bus buckets' (large rectangular plastic containers commonly used in restaurant to place dirty dishes in for carrying to the dishwasher area), pop bottles, windshield washer jugs, juice bottles, plastic baskets, styrofoam cups, etc. There are only two things I would not use again - peat pots and styro cups. I think your ice cream pails would do quite well!!

Mine maybe are a little more transluscent than the milk jugs, round, one gallon, with a nice plastic carrying handle. Will save up more.

Even if it is opaque, it shouldn't be a problem if you cut around the rim of the lid and substitute clear plastic with vent slits, then use the rim to secure it.

I used to love these air puffed mints, white and red striped balls, melt in your mouth. Anyway, I found some at Walgreen's so buy them but can't use too many too fast. I was thinking they'd make good ws containers.

Meanwhile I kinda got my comeuppance. I ordered (a splurge) 6 10-20 (standard) nursery flats w/drainage holes and 6 clear Jiffy plastic covers (not as tough as I expected). Anyway, the lid won't fit on with my deep root six packs and won't fit on with a regular one either. I can use something in them but will have to secure the covers as well because they don't snap on. I know those little 2 oz or so cups would work, or can get those 9 cell packs (not sure if they would fit).

So years ago I ordered this sturdy, red metal 4-cell contraption with some kind of plunger, never tried it out, saw it not too long ago. I thought I'd see how it works in damp soil, can't find it :-(. I wasn't really expecting it to work well. If I had more time to accumulate recycleables, I could cut some plastic dividers in the old egg-crate style to keep the plants separate and just plant the whole flat and be done with it. I suppose cardboard would work but harder to cut and can't reuse the following year.

I did a little research and found one almost identical to mine only I sure didn't pay $29.95 for it back when I got it! Now I really hope it will turn up. Saw it within the last year. Mine looks almost identical to the smaller red one but IIRC it's about 1" X 1" X 1" cube, no very slightly larger, is four-cell strung along horizontally and is finished in industrial grade-red paint. Soil Blocker is what they are called.

{{gwi:352074}}

More Information on Potting Blocks - Soil Block Research, History, and Information

Here is a link that might be useful: Johnny's Selected Seeds Soil Blocker

I used some of the pails but they didn't seem to get as warm, if I used them again I would cut open the lid and use plastic to make sure they got enough heat. I ended up using them to hold my cups instead last year.

I have the soil blockers, both sizes, actually. A few years ago I met a lady who is a flower farmer - she sells flowers locally - and she uses these for all her seeds. She has a special mix to make the blocks. I actually still have a partial bag. Once I started wintersowing, I stopped using the blockers. Anyway, I don't think they work well with plain potting mix. Somewhere I saw the idea of putting some plain gelatin into the mix to make the soil stick together better. There are recipes on the web for making the mix, too.

Back to the original topic, I have also used ice cream pails. I put clear plastic on top instead of the regular lids. I used them several years before they broke.

Becky

Thank you, Becky. I think they might work well for me if I can find mine and if I can get the right mix. That would be my covered flats I bought. I will see if I have the basic ingredients on hand for the mix and if it doesn't cost much for what I'm missing.

What is your mix called, Becky? I wanted to try blocks in my covered flats. If I can't find the thing, I'll figure out something else.

Another problem is big planters take a lot of potting mix. To save, I'm going to dump the top half out (several need changing and read that idea here). One regular bag of potting soil doesn't go that far when you're working with large containers. And I do reuse the stuff and fertilizer for 3 years all except what I use for WS'ing, dump somewhere in the yard what doesn't germinate or what is spent.

Was determined because I knew I'd seen it recently. Tucked up in the back hall closet just like the one in the photo. It's just under 2" square and 1-5/8" deep.

Lots of pros and cons about them. One said Jiffy mix, and you have to get it wetter than what I have going now for another batch in pepsi bottles. Pack very tightly and smooth bottom.

Here's a couple good links, also at the useful link.

Making Soil blocks, includes video and homemade ones w/larger capacity blocker.

The pvc pipe idea at this link looks the easiest to me if you want to try DIY, and the newspaper ones are always good if you have the patience for that and are not short on paper like I am. No way am I buying capillary mats, they shouldn't need much water in a covered container. Some top water them w/no probs. I can gently bottom water in a flat w/no holes (have tons of those) or gently top water where it's most needed, should be able to mist with the hose by then.

The packed soil might make up for being more shallow; otherwise, I suppose you could just pack soil in a flat and lay out a grid, then plant and cover. Read one organic veggie gardener doesn't cover her smaller seeds.

I want them for pansies and a couple other things where I don't want to transplant babies (but might in cups later) and don't want HOS or to thin out any more than necessary because these seeds were expensive and bought maybe 6 packets of the ones I liked the best.

Here is a link that might be useful: GS Veg Gardening Forum - Some thoughts about soil blockers

Iv'e used them,with great sucess.As long as you place clear plastic on the top.
I actually like using more soil than called for,as it always settles.
cAROL