Soil Block Makers

Sustainable seed starting alternatives with free-standing soil blockers and paper pots!

10 products

Soil Block Makers - Grow Organic

High-Quality Soil Block Makers: Imported from England and Japan

Soil block makers, imported from reputable manufacturers in England (Ladbrooke) and Japan (Paper Pots), are among the highest quality tools available for gardeners and farmers. Each soil block maker creates compact seed-starting blocks that promote healthy root development and eliminate the need for plastic pots. Whether you're using a soil blocker for home gardening or commercial propagation, these tools support sustainable growing practices. Explore our selection of soil blocks for sale to find the right solution for your seed-starting needs.

Advantages of Soil Blocks

  1. No Containers Needed

One of the primary advantages of using soil blocks for seed starting is eliminating the need for containers. Traditional methods often require disposable plastic pots or trays, contributing to plastic waste and increasing gardening expenses. Soil blocks, on the other hand, use the soil itself as the container. This not only reduces waste but also simplifies the process, making it more environmentally friendly.

  1. Prevention of Root Binding

Plants started in soil blocks are less susceptible to becoming root-bound than those in traditional pots or trays. When roots reach the edge of a soil block, they encounter air and naturally stop growing. This "air pruning" encourages the development of a robust root system, resulting in healthier and more vigorous seedlings.

  1. Air Pruning for Healthier Seedlings

Air pruning, a key benefit of soil blocks, prevents the formation of circling roots and encourages the growth of a well-branched root structure. In traditional containers, roots can become entangled, leading to reduced nutrient absorption and stunted growth. Soil blocks promote optimal root development, ensuring your seedlings have a strong foundation for transplanting.

  1. Versatility with Seed Sizes

Soil block makers are versatile tools suitable for germinating seeds of all sizes. Whether you're starting tiny herb seeds or larger vegetable seeds, these devices can accommodate a wide range of seed sizes. This versatility eliminates the need for multiple container sizes, simplifying your seed starting process.

  1. Variety of Soil Block Sizes

Another advantage of soil blocks is the availability of different block sizes. Depending on your specific needs and the type of plants you're growing, you can choose from small to large soil blocks. This flexibility allows you to tailor your seed starting method to each plant's unique requirements, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

  1. Reduced Transplant Shock

Transplanting seedlings from soil blocks into your garden or larger containers is a breeze. The absence of plastic containers means there's no need to remove seedlings from their pots, reducing the risk of transplant shock. Simply place the entire soil block directly into the ground or a larger pot, allowing the roots to grow without interruption.

How to Use Soil Block Makers

Soil block makers have revolutionized how gardeners and growers start seeds and cultivate young plants. This innovative tool simplifies the traditional seed-starting process, eliminates the need for plastic containers, and promotes sustainable gardening practices. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deeper into how to use soil block makers and explore the benefits they offer.

Using soil block makers is a straightforward process that begins with selecting the right soil mix. A moistened peat moss mix, such as Quickroot Soilless Potting Mix, is an excellent choice. This mix ensures that your soil blocks hold their shape and provide a suitable environment for seedlings to thrive. Once you have your mix ready, fill the soil block maker tool with it. This step is critical as it determines the quality and integrity of the soil blocks you create. Ensure that the mix is well-compressed within the tool.

Next, place the filled soil block maker on a seed flat or tray. Gently release the tool, and you'll witness the magic unfold. The soil block maker effortlessly forms multiple soil blocks, each featuring a slight depression in the top. These depressions are perfect for placing your seeds. This method ensures consistent seed placement, proper spacing, and optimal plant growing conditions. Additionally, soil blocks offer excellent aeration and root development, which can lead to healthier and more robust seedlings.

One of the standout advantages of using soil block makers is their sustainability. These high-quality tools, often imported from England and Japan, reduce the need for plastic containers commonly used in seed starting. By eliminating plastic waste, gardeners can contribute to a more environmentally friendly approach to gardening. Furthermore, soil blocks minimize transplant shock since seedlings can be directly transplanted into the garden without disturbing their fragile roots. This feature streamlines the gardening process and increases the chances of successful plant establishment.

In Summary

Soil block makers imported from England and Japan offer a sustainable and efficient alternative for seed starting. These high-quality tools eliminate the need for containers, promote healthier seedlings, and reduce transplant shock. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, soil blocks can simplify your seed starting process while contributing to a more environmentally friendly approach to gardening.

Enjoy our video on starting vegetable seeds with soilblockers.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.