Topic: Making your own?

[grannyjanny]

Has anyone got the device that makes the jiffy type seed making pellets. I saw one in the Sarah Raven catalogue & wondered if they are worthwhile?

[Baccy Man]

I have used one but wasn't tempted to buy my own then again I don't use jiffy pellets either.
The soil mix needs to be just right for it to hold together, it takes quite a bit of trial & error to find a mix that works. The soil mix needs to be quite wet when you make the blocks, too dry & they fall apart too wet & they turn to mush. They cannot be watered from above as the blocks break up so it is easiest to leave them sat in a tray on capillary matting.

I keep seeing the site http://www.ladbrooke.co.uk cited as the best source of soil blockers in the UK it's under construction at the moment but there is another site selling ladbrooke's range of blockers here http://www.blackberrylane.co.uk/ladbrooke.html so you can see what is available.

The best thing to do is probably to try a simple home made version & see what you think of soil blocks before spending any money on the equipment.
http://digityourself.blogspot.com/2009/02/home-made-soil-blocker.html

[manicscousers]

I was given one but can't seem to get the compost mix right  :-\ :)

[Jeannine]

I fancied these after buying seedlings in a local nursery in the UK in them,but I couldn't make up my mind which size,and if I bought all 4 sizes it would prove quite expensive, the other worry was do you buy a single or multiple one..too much choice I think  but I would be grateful for any personal info as I do like the idea.XX Jeannine