I have so missed you, Sarah. I was so sorry to hear about the demise of your teepee. You are such a hard worker/flower farmer. Hands down your bouquets are my favorite. So glad to hear you are going on a holiday! Find time to be still. Find time for joy in your relationships that matter. Ask for help so it does not all depend on you. What a joy it would be to work alongside you! Cleaning your space, weeding, cutting your paper for bouquets, watering in exchange for being around you to learn first hand what flower farming is all about.
I use a syringe (no needle) to draw excess water from the tray of soil blocks. I find it works really well, faster and more efficient than lifting each tray.
Could you turn the germination chamber upside down so it's insulated and mouseproof underneath, then put a sheet of glass or foil blanket over the top?
...Sarah I was thinking...I've watched many of Charles Dowdings videos. He builds a hot box in the corner of his greenhouse using horse manure. He lays the trays on top and has great results with his seedlings...might be worth exploring. (He also mentioned on his latest video that he is going to share how he builds it)
i have been turning my smallish garden into an urban farm this year and have realised how much work it takes to commit to it , but hey it is so much fun and worth it :) i have around 30 varietys of veg and herbs in a nursery atm :) so excited for how it turns out and looks in a month or two time :) , loved the video , i always love looking at things like this for hints and tips , because i am farely new to farming
Fantastic to see your new Swift Blocker system. If you do ever manage to get them sent here and become a distributor I'm very interested in buying one from you. BTW have a fantastic holiday.
I see a lot of flower gardeners struggle to seed their blocks. Have you looked into using a vacuum pick up tool? They make them for picking up tiny electronic components, but if you can get a small enough tip, they'd work pretty well for picking up seeds.
What are all the holes on the neversink trays for? Seems an odd design. Can see might help with airflow but seems like compost would get clogged up there. Wonder how it compares to Container Wise trays which are square rather than diamond shaped. Container Wise trays don't have slits or extra holes so maybe not as good for air root pruning but their larger cell trays do have rivet lines on the sides that encourage roots downwards rather than encouraging root binding. I'm guessing the Container Wise trays also have a smaller overall footprint but not sure - depends on cell size I guess - maybe they have slightly larger cells because of the design layout.
I like the idea of soil blocks. Zone 7 Lady, viewed lots of soil block videos, and for a small lot home gardener, I can't use them, because I am lazy about watering. Anything that requires watering once per day every day does not work within my A-type personality, and work-life schedules.
You could just tilt the soil block tray so the water goes into a corner and suck it out with a turkey baster maybe. I never bothered much with that step - the water soon evaporates or is taken up by the blocks anyway. THATS A CHAMPION SOURDOUGH - well done! Don't forget to name your starter! 🎉
I have no idea on speed but I do know that mentally for me it is better for me to work in batches because jumping around from task to task I get easily distracted. I fill all the trays then go through and seed all the trays. I also find that filling the trays I get really dirty so then after I can wash up and stay cleaner for the rest of the process.
I think I’m the opposite, if I had to sit there for an extended period of time sowing seeds I would go crazy! I need to mix it up to keep myself entertained!
I really like watching your videos😊 im in my second year flower farming in switzerland. maybe you can take another insulation piece under the whole insulation chamber (also under the walls, so they'll be higher as well). That would solve the hight issue.
Swift blocker looks cool! Would be interested to see how the watering goes with it as there’s more surface area in the middle of the blocks that wouldn’t be directly watered.
Yes it will be interesting. Capillary action should allow water to travel to the middle, but it may require more than we’re used to with a smaller blocker
Hey Sarah, been dreaming up my own insulation germination station and my idea is very similar to yours, only I was thinking a heat lamp? Perhaps that will work for you too?
SO disheartening when mice get your produce. I have trouble too, so bulbs like tulips I either store really high, or I wrap the trays with mesh. A real pain! Not so easy when you are sowing and planting in bulk like you do! And that new soil blocker will be a real help for you…
Not sure of the size of your swift blocker Ikea sell a tray called "bagg muck " intended for shoes. 71x35cm on offer at £2.50 at the moment I use them for watering seed trays down the allotment. Might be worth a look .
Interesting results. Did you find it much quicker using the swift blocker versus the 20 blocker? Gomphrena isn't frost hardy but might be ok in the polytunnel!
It took me two minutes to make a tray of 200 blocks, I didn’t even time doing 10 x the 20 blocker in the end because I knew it would take me waaaaay longer than 2 mins.
@@bloomandgray I'm looking forward to getting one here in Ireland. It's on the wish list directly after irrigation for the tunnel. That comes first because it will save me time, money and sanity! 😂
That diy humidifer in the germination chamber wount work because humidity will just be blocked from rising by the lowest seed tray. Humidity need to come from the sides of the chamber
Apart from the Eucalyptus, (which will take time to get established), the only other greenery/foliage I’ve seen on your growing plans is Flax. (And possibly grasses if you’re planning something other than bunny tails) but I didn’t see any of the usual suspects for foliage/greenery like dill, Bupleurum, Basil, Greek cress, bells of Ireland? Are you consciously steering away from greenery or do you have a secret supply from elsewhere, coz greenery is something most flower farmers can’t seem to grow enough of? I’m confused…
Most of my bouquets are quite flower heavy, I like it that way. In the past I’ve grown dill, bupleurum but I tend not to use them. Bells of Ireland is ok but it never does well in my fields. Basil struggles in our UK climate. I do use pittosporum, eucalyptus, sedum foliage, lambs ear, Greek cress and flax.
I have so missed you, Sarah. I was so sorry to hear about the demise of your teepee. You are such a hard worker/flower farmer. Hands down your bouquets are my favorite. So glad to hear you are going on a holiday! Find time to be still. Find time for joy in your relationships that matter. Ask for help so it does not all depend on you. What a joy it would be to work alongside you! Cleaning your space, weeding, cutting your paper for bouquets, watering in exchange for being around you to learn first hand what flower farming is all about.
I use a syringe (no needle) to draw excess water from the tray of soil blocks. I find it works really well, faster and more efficient than lifting each tray.
Fab idea!
I do exactly the same with a turkey baster. Works great.
What a great idea!
Hey Sarah, can only imagine how proud you must be of that sourdough ... what a great ear on it , looks yummy !
Poke the marigolds in, pointy end down!
Me too! I sowed my first seeds of 2023 this morning. Nova Scotia, Canada.
Could you turn the germination chamber upside down so it's insulated and mouseproof underneath, then put a sheet of glass or foil blanket over the top?
Aw man, that swift blocker and seeder thingamabob! I’m green with envy! ❤
Winstrip will be quicker simply because the seedlings can spend more time in there whilst still getting air pruned
What a tool for seed sowing. I wander what kind of compost you used ! Good luck with 2024 growing season. 😊
What an ear on your sourdough 👌
Genius seed blocker, good luck sorting the hot germination box and catching the wee buggers 🦸♀️
I was pretty pleased with it, and it tasted good too!! I’m thinking I need to seal the germination chamber much better to retain the heat!
...Sarah I was thinking...I've watched many of Charles Dowdings videos. He builds a hot box in the corner of his greenhouse using horse manure. He lays the trays on top and has great results with his seedlings...might be worth exploring. (He also mentioned on his latest video that he is going to share how he builds it)
Whoa, swift blocker looks really cool!! 😎 Fun to sow seeds again, ready for spring!! 🌱🌱🌱💕
I love playing with it!!
Yesss tis the season! 🌱Wishing you an abundant and blessed growing season💚
Hi Sarah, great video on comparing both methods of filling & sowing. Thanks for sharing and take care🙂
i have been turning my smallish garden into an urban farm this year and have realised how much work it takes to commit to it , but hey it is so much fun and worth it :) i have around 30 varietys of veg and herbs in a nursery atm :) so excited for how it turns out and looks in a month or two time :) , loved the video , i always love looking at things like this for hints and tips , because i am farely new to farming
That blocker looks awesome! Wish we could get it in Australia
Fantastic to see your new Swift Blocker system. If you do ever manage to get them sent here and become a distributor I'm very interested in buying one from you. BTW have a fantastic holiday.
Team batches here😄
Oh I live in Michigan. Never even heard of that soil blocker. ❄️💚🙃
Me too!
I’m in America and this is the first I’ve heard of it too. I’m not sure how wonderful it would be without access to the 1020 trays.
Great video Sarah. Loving the germination chamber. I'm sure once the weather warms up, it will do its thing
Looking so forward to watching. My daughter loves to rewatch your bouquet making videos!!
I see a lot of flower gardeners struggle to seed their blocks. Have you looked into using a vacuum pick up tool? They make them for picking up tiny electronic components, but if you can get a small enough tip, they'd work pretty well for picking up seeds.
Love love the. swift soil blockers, maybe an old fridge would have better insulation for your germination chamber?
Love your channel, good info thanks
Thank you Sarah, good luck on your experiments! ❄️💚🙃
can't wait to see the results ofthe soil blocker
What are all the holes on the neversink trays for? Seems an odd design. Can see might help with airflow but seems like compost would get clogged up there. Wonder how it compares to Container Wise trays which are square rather than diamond shaped. Container Wise trays don't have slits or extra holes so maybe not as good for air root pruning but their larger cell trays do have rivet lines on the sides that encourage roots downwards rather than encouraging root binding. I'm guessing the Container Wise trays also have a smaller overall footprint but not sure - depends on cell size I guess - maybe they have slightly larger cells because of the design layout.
Love the swift blocker . Hope you can supply them .
I like the idea of soil blocks. Zone 7 Lady, viewed lots of soil block videos, and for a small lot home gardener, I can't use them, because I am lazy about watering. Anything that requires watering once per day every day does not work within my A-type personality, and work-life schedules.
My Dad always used to soak his pea seeds in paraffin to deter the mice. I’ve heard of people using chilli powder too.
You could just tilt the soil block tray so the water goes into a corner and suck it out with a turkey baster maybe. I never bothered much with that step - the water soon evaporates or is taken up by the blocks anyway. THATS A CHAMPION SOURDOUGH - well done! Don't forget to name your starter! 🎉
That’s a great idea thank you!
I would imagine that the soil block will be easier to plant. The ones in the trays will be harder or more time consuming to get each block out.
I have no idea on speed but I do know that mentally for me it is better for me to work in batches because jumping around from task to task I get easily distracted. I fill all the trays then go through and seed all the trays. I also find that filling the trays I get really dirty so then after I can wash up and stay cleaner for the rest of the process.
I think I’m the opposite, if I had to sit there for an extended period of time sowing seeds I would go crazy! I need to mix it up to keep myself entertained!
მაგარია! 😊👍
Check out Garland for trays to put soilblocks on
The tray in my video is a garland one, it’s not ideal, I can’t find any that are more suitable
I would actually enjoy soil blocking with that new apparatus!
I really like watching your videos😊 im in my second year flower farming in switzerland. maybe you can take another insulation piece under the whole insulation chamber (also under the walls, so they'll be higher as well). That would solve the hight issue.
Swift blocker looks cool! Would be interested to see how the watering goes with it as there’s more surface area in the middle of the blocks that wouldn’t be directly watered.
Yes it will be interesting. Capillary action should allow water to travel to the middle, but it may require more than we’re used to with a smaller blocker
Quicker and better for your plants the blocker
Have fun on your holiday. I hope your newly planted seeds grow like crazy while your gone and you return to a sea of green healthy seedlings.❄️💚🙃
There is a European version of this I think in Poland.
Keep wondering why the heck they haven't made bigger soil blockers before!
Interesting video.
I'd love to know when the soil blocks will be available to pre-order from you. Thank you!
I have horrible luck with germinating larkspur. I've given up on that flower
Hi Sarah I find the best way to solve the mice problem is to put down some poison
Definitely think it'll be quicker doing a batch
Thanks for the video I love that 200 block soil blocker! I wonder what it cost? what temperature are you working toward in the germination chamber?
Hey Sarah, been dreaming up my own insulation germination station and my idea is very similar to yours, only I was thinking a heat lamp? Perhaps that will work for you too?
SO disheartening when mice get your produce. I have trouble too, so bulbs like tulips I either store really high, or I wrap the trays with mesh. A real pain! Not so easy when you are sowing and planting in bulk like you do!
And that new soil blocker will be a real help for you…
Not sure of the size of your swift blocker
Ikea sell a tray called "bagg muck " intended for shoes.
71x35cm on offer at £2.50 at the moment
I use them for watering seed trays down the allotment.
Might be worth a look .
Ooh I’ll check it out thanks!
Interesting results. Did you find it much quicker using the swift blocker versus the 20 blocker?
Gomphrena isn't frost hardy but might be ok in the polytunnel!
It took me two minutes to make a tray of 200 blocks, I didn’t even time doing 10 x the 20 blocker in the end because I knew it would take me waaaaay longer than 2 mins.
@@bloomandgray I'm looking forward to getting one here in Ireland. It's on the wish list directly after irrigation for the tunnel. That comes first because it will save me time, money and sanity! 😂
I don’t drive much maybe every two weeks if I have to. I have a mouse living in my car😬 not sure how I’m going to get it out! Yikes ! ❄️💚🙃
👍
Do you germinate seeds in plastic containers with lids and paper towel anymore ?
That diy humidifer in the germination chamber wount work because humidity will just be blocked from rising by the lowest seed tray. Humidity need to come from the sides of the chamber
I’m planning on putting a little fan in there to see what happens
Apart from the Eucalyptus, (which will take time to get established), the only other greenery/foliage I’ve seen on your growing plans is Flax. (And possibly grasses if you’re planning something other than bunny tails) but I didn’t see any of the usual suspects for foliage/greenery like dill, Bupleurum, Basil, Greek cress, bells of Ireland? Are you consciously steering away from greenery or do you have a secret supply from elsewhere, coz greenery is something most flower farmers can’t seem to grow enough of? I’m confused…
Most of my bouquets are quite flower heavy, I like it that way. In the past I’ve grown dill, bupleurum but I tend not to use them. Bells of Ireland is ok but it never does well in my fields. Basil struggles in our UK climate. I do use pittosporum, eucalyptus, sedum foliage, lambs ear, Greek cress and flax.
Who sells the trays?
When is your last frost?
Late April/ early May
How are your worms doing ?
You guys don't get much sunlight there how do you grow things
We’re getting 10 hours daylight at the moment which is enough for plant growth 😊
batch quicker
Where you live I’m zone 8a Georgia
I’m equivalent to zone 8
Hypothesis: it is going to be quicker doing batches.
My guess is batches... since you are doing the same thing over and over and then moving on
I think you need a 😺
Oh my. That music during the batch seeding trial was way too aggressive.