Soil blocking is a game changer when it comes to starting your own seeds. Properly created soil blocks will result in vigorous and healthy plant starts that will grow into thriving transplants for your garden. The Swift Blocker is the key to successful, efficient soil blocking.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects my own thoughts and opinions. I paid for my Swift Blocker with my own money and their company is not affiliated with this blog post.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase using these links. For more information, see my full disclosure here.
Benefits of soil blocking:
- Reduction in plastic waste: Soil blocks reduce the number of disposable containers needed for seed starting
- Improved root development: Soil blocks encourage air pruning of roots, preventing them from becoming root-bound like in trays or pots, promoting robust root development essential for plant health and vitality.
- Enhanced moisture retention: The compact nature of soil blocks helps retain moisture more effectively compared to traditional containers.
- Cost Effectiveness: By eliminating the need for disposable seed starting trays or pots, gardeners can save money on supplies over time, making soil blocks a cost-effective solution for seed starting.
- Versatility: Soil blocks can accommodate a wide variety of plant species, from vegetables and herbs to flowers.
- Reduced Transplant Shock: The absence of containers means there’s no need to disturb the roots when transplanting, reducing the risk of transplant shock.
Cons of soil blocking are:
- Initial investment: Setting up soil blocking requires purchasing specialized soil blocking tools, which can be more expensive than traditional containers initially.
- Time Consuming: Soil blocking can be more time-consuming compared to using pre-made containers. It involves mixing soil, forming blocks, and transplanting seedlings, which may not be suitable for gardeners with limited time.
- Take Skill: Properly forming soil blocks requires some skill and practice. Beginners may find it challenging to create consistent and stable blocks, which can affect seedling growth.
What is the Swift Blocker
The Swift Blocker is a soil blocking tool designed to efficiently create soil blocks for seed starting. There are multiple size options which are designed to produce soil blocks that fit perfectly into a standard 1020 tray.
Steps for Using the Swift Blocker
According to the Swift Blocker website, there are 6 steps to using the Swift Blocker:
- Fill
- Set
- Squeeze
- Remove Top
- Remove Bottom
- Seed
Why You Need the Swift Blocker
The Swift Blocker has several advantages compared to regular soil blockers:
- Efficiency: The Swift Blocker is designed for quick and efficient soil block production. Its innovative design allows for creating an entire 1020 tray of soil blocks. This efficiency saves time during the seed starting process compared to traditional soil blockers, which may only produce one block at a time.
- Consistency: With its innovative design, the Swift Blocker ensures consistent block size and shape. This uniformity is essential for seedling growth, as it promotes even moisture distribution and root development. In contrast, regular soil blockers may result in variations in block size and shape, leading to uneven growth among seedlings.
- Ease of Use: As mentioned above, there are 6 steps when it comes to using the Swift Blocker to create soil blocks and start seeds. Gardeners can quickly fill the cavities with soil, compact it using the built-in press, and release perfectly formed blocks with minimal effort. This ease of use reduces the learning curve associated with soil blocking techniques, making it accessible to gardeners of all skill levels.
- Durability: Swift Blockers are made in the USA and constructed from high-quality materials. It is durable and built to withstand frequent use. Its robust design ensures longevity, providing gardeners with a reliable tool for multiple growing seasons. This durability contrasts with some regular soil blockers, which may be prone to wear and tear over time, requiring replacement or repairs.
- Space-savings: The swift blocker is relatively compact which makes it convenient to store when not in use. In addition, because you are seeding and entire tray of seeds, we have found that it takes less trays to produce the same number of soil blocks compared to traditional soil blockers.
Our Experience with the Swift Blocker
This is our first growing season using the Swift Blocker 72 and so far, we couldn’t be happier. Using the Swift Blocker has saved us a tremendous amount of money, time, and space. As with traditional soil blocking, there is a learning curve. However, once we got the hang of it, I don’t see us going back to using traditional soil blockers.
When we received our Swift Blocker, I tagged them on Instagram and they reached out and offered to help troubleshoot if we had any issues. They even went so far as to offer to FaceTime with us if needed. We haven’t had to use that option, but it was an incredible gesture and shows that they want growers to have success using the Swift Blocker.
The only thing that we might change would be to make the dibbles a little deeper.
Conclusion
Overall, the Swift Blocker offers numerous benefits compared to regular soil blockers, including efficiency, consistency, ease of use, durability, and space-saving design. These advantages make it an attractive option for gardeners seeking an efficient and reliable tool for starting seedlings.
Swift Blocker Links
More Gardening Content:
- How to Take a Seed Inventory
- How to Start Seeds Indoors Without Grow Lights
- How to Start Sees Indoors Using Grow Lights
- The Best Seed Starting Supplies
- How to Create Soil Blocks for Healthy Plant Starts
SOme of our favorite places to order seeds:
Some of oUr Favorite Gardening Books:
- The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables: All the know-how and encouragement you need to grow – and fall in love with! – your brand new food garden by Jessica Sowards
- The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener by Eliot Coleman
- The Tiny But Mighty Farm: Cultivating High Yields, Community, and Self-Sufficiency from a Home Farm – Start growing food today – Meet the best … yourself, your family, and your neighbors by Jill Ragan
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