Fiskars Soil Block Maker

Does what it is intended. Would recommend

I love it, it was very easy to use with the soil.

My Aunt is very happy with it!

My new Soil Block Maker from Fiskars was a real surprise and delight to use. I made up my own mixture of started soil which was 1/3 Peet, 1/3 Potting Soil, and 1/3 Seed Starting Mixture which I wet enough so it would stick together when compressed. I packed it into the Press then put it down on a plastic surface and applied medium-light pressure for about 30 seconds and lightly pushed the plunger as I lifted the Press up and, walla, A nice group of 4 Seed starting pods. I plant in a greenhouse year-round and a lot of the time I just want to start a few plants and this serves my needs. No more getting out a 72 pod seed starter tray for just a few starts. These starter cubes will probably produce healthier seedlings than my old tray system just by the design of more air to the roots and the ability to fertilize each start individually. I can't wait to start planting. The pictures are the very first Soil Blocks I made.

I used this today to make some soil blocks to plant basil seeds. This is a very handy little gardening tool which helps when starting plants from seed. It is sturdy and well made, and very easy to operate. You just pack the soil into it and place it where you want the blocks to go, push the plunger and there you go. It premakes a hole in the top of the block for your seed, so there is no guessing where to place the seed. The one thing I would advise is to make sure your soil is just a little damp. If you use very dry soil, it won't adhere and your block will crumble. Slightly damp soil makes a perfect block that holds together well.

The Fiskars Soil Block Maker, 1 Piece, Orange and Black is perfect for the diy farmer/gardener. We have started several plants in the soil blocks from the block maker. It's so easy to use and makes digging in the soil so much less messy and less of a hassle. You can pamper your plants with ease and separate them quickly when the time comes. You just need seeds, soil, and a tray!

Not having used the device but twice, it is hard to give a thorough review, but I can easily say that this will be saving me a lot of time and additional expense when spring comes around. We always do our own seedlings, which gives us the chance to decide what we want to plant, instead of taking what is readily available. This does take some getting used to, but I can tell by the second one I had already learned a better way to get the soil to pack as expected. Such an easy tool to use, but like everything else, it will only get better with practice. Highly recommended for anyone who starts their own seedlings.

Using this soil block maker is definitely not as simple as putting soil into cell seedling trays but creating these soil blocks eliminates the need for cell trays and pots and also makes transplanting easier. This 2-in-1 device can make two different soil block sizes. The big round block is easier to make and is more stable than the 4 smaller quarter circle blocks (by splitting a circle into 4 equal quadrants) which can fall down because the base is smaller and the block is uneven. Both sizes took some trial and error with different soil and moisture levels. I found using seed starting potting soil worked best for me. Using soil that is too dry, too wet or too coarse will cause the blocks to fall apart. Once you get the correct consistency, pack the soil in tightly to get a solid block. Once the soil blocks are formed, be sure to never leave them in the rain or water it too much as it will cause the soil to dissolve and crumble. This device worked but it took some patience to get the soil right. I am still undecided on the odd shape of the smaller blocks. I will give it another try next season before I decide if they will permanently replace the cell trays.

If you have the time on your hands and are not doing alot of plants . Then you would probably not mind spending the extra time getting this right . I found . In order to form a plug the soil moisture must be just right . To dry it crumbs , to wet it turns to slop . I end up using semi moist soil . Packing it very firmly and then tricling water into the pods . It does have drain holes for the water to run through. I like it makes a seed hole . I tried to use it to propagate plant cutting but could keep the soil ball together. . .. I think its a cool idea and timely during covid ahorages to be able to start seeds But I am a busy person and found it to time consuming for me to use

I cannot give the product the deserved stars because I haven't received one to review.