Starting Seeds
Oh, the world of starting seeds.
So many options. Should we get recycled plastic? hard reusable plastic? Should we try old egg cartons? Compostable? The list literally goes on and on of endless options. This is the worlds we live in I suppose.
When I think about choosing gear for anything, including farming, we want to look at out from a few different angles. Price point, trash reduction, and ease of use.
After 3 seasons under my belt, I’ve tried the hole lot of them and I’ll tell you this, the recycled plastic is flimsy and the compostable options got mold.
I decided I had to go back to the drawing board. Scouring the internet, as we do these days, as educated elders are harder to find organically, I found soil blocking.
Soil Blockers are so cool! There’s all sorts of companies that make them but I started this season with a classic, A Ladbrooke 1 1/2” 5-block soil blocker. But honestly there’s some really cool American companies making them.
https://www.soilblockers.co.uk
I am loving this system so far and let me tell you why.
The only plastic was the bag from starting mix. The blocks are surprisingly stable once you get the swing of it and the plants clearly of loving it!
The cons are cost; being among the higher start up costs this is one draw back but is more of an investment, rather than just dipping your toes in growing food and medicines. One unique thing that I’ve found about this system is that you can be thirty when it comes to making you starting mix if you mix your own.
The soil blockers can range from $45-$200
The trays can either be found, thrifted, or bought online for about $15-$20, I chose and 8 pack of 10”x15” food trays with about a 1/2” tall lip for easy watering.
Soil is varied in cost, effectiveness and ecological sustainability and is a different subject for a different time. Cost varies greatly.
The lights I have were about $30 for enough lights to cover 9 trays worth of plants, which is enough lights for roughly 400 1/5” soil blocks.
The shelf was about $46 dollars
The heat mats are about $10 each, I have 3
Lastly: Buying seeds, I don’t want to discuss how much money I spent of seeds this year, as I believe it will reveal how obsessed I really about with plants. Plan to spend between $20-$100, depending on what you want to grow.
Ways to save money:
Buy soils in bulks and mix your own. Use south facing windows to start plants instead of light bars. Go to seed exchanges of find seed libraries, look this up locally in the spring time. Go online, I’ve seen different seed saver instagram pages that send people free seeds in the mail. Post on local pages that you’re looking for free seeds.
Let’s get starters started in here!!
