Soil Blocks vs Plastic Seed Trays: Which Seed Starting Method Is Better?

If you’ve been wondering whether to use soil blocks or plastic seed trays for starting seeds indoors this year, this episode is for you. I’ve used both. For years, I was a plastic cell tray guy, even single-use plastic sometimes. Eventually I moved into long-term “perpetual” trays. And now? I’m doing almost all of my seed starting with soil blocks at scale. In this episode, I’m walking you through the real pros and cons of soil blocking vs plastic seed trays so you can decide what makes the most sense for you. I talk about: • How soil blocking works • What air pruning actually does to roots • Why transplant shock is almost eliminated with soil blocks • The upfront cost vs long-term value • How soil blocks compare to WinStrip trays • Whether soil blocking works at scale • Why soil blocks dry out faster and how to manage it • Seed starting mix (including why I now use straight Promix BX) • Cleaning and sanitizing trays • Self-watering options • My 72-cell Swift Blocker workflow If you’re starting seeds for a vegetable garden, market garden, or backyard garden, I want to help you become a better, smarter, more confident gardener by understanding the “why” behind each method. Not just the “how.” I’m not here to tell you one method is better than the other. I use both in different situations. But after experimenting for years, I’ve developed a strong preference and I explain exactly why in this episode. If you have experience with soil blocking or plastic trays, leave a comment. I read them and they help other gardeners too. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome + Seed-Starting Season in the South 00:16 Soil Blocks vs. Plastic: The Big Question (Pros & Cons) 01:34 It’s Not Either/Or: When Using Both Makes Sense 02:04 My Early Years: Single-Use Plastic Trays & Why They Were Standard 02:36 Plastic Tray Upsides… and the Hidden Headache: Storage & Clutter 04:26 Discovering Soil Blocking (and Elliot Coleman’s Influence) 06:37 Trying the 5-Block Tool: The Time Factor & Learning the Rhythm 08:23 Getting the Mix Right: The Frustrating Part That Eventually Clicks 09:49 Perpetual Plastic Upgrade: Windstrip Trays & Air-Pruning Explained 11:58 The Game Changer: Swift Blocker for Scaling Soil Blocks Fast 12:54 Why I Chose 72 Cells: Tray Math, Workflow, and Less Plastic 15:42 Soil Block Benefits: Skill Improves, Less Cleanup, Better Transplants 21:18 Mix & Workflow Hacks: Bagged Mix, Make Blocks Ahead, Save Time 24:42 Soil Block Downsides: Cost, Learning Curve, and Drying Out Faster 31:01 Plastic Trays Revisited + Final Takeaways, Links, and Wrap-Up 🛠 Tools and Supplies mentioned are linked below. Swift Blocker 72 - https://www.swiftblocker.com/shopswif... Swift Blocker 50 - https://www.swiftblocker.com/shopswif... Five-Cell Soil Blocker (Ladbrooke)- https://amzlink.to/az04F6HlGBNJ1 Soil Blockers (Johnny’s Selected Seeds version) - https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-sup... Promix BX Seed Starting Mix - https://amzlink.to/az0OeqzdXH8hD Vermiculite - https://amzlink.to/az02SCdFIYu0f Compost Enriched Medium - https://amzn.to/4tNDNYf Humidity Domes - https://amzlink.to/az0Y1FubZHHhX Heat Mats for seedlings - https://amzlink.to/az0DTXLFdnTrQ LED Grow Lights - https://amzlink.to/az0COhLtVxIzf Bootstrap Farmer Trays - https://amzlink.to/az00rtepbuypI https://amzlink.to/az0uR5SC2vdml https://amzlink.to/az0OV6wUMe52l https://amzlink.to/az0lS5O5VmLhV https://amzlink.to/az0A6iVHwPZAZ Neversink Farm WinStrip trays - https://neversinktools.com/collection... Seedling transplant pots - https://amzn.to/46evM4h Seed starting rack system - https://amzlink.to/az0otyb18meXZ Follow joegardener® on:   / joegardener     / joegardenertv     / joegardener   Growing a Greener World Episodes: ‪@ggwtv‬ My Online Gardening Academy™ on Teachable: https://organicgardeningacademy.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my email list for weekly organic gardening tips and podcast reminders in your inbox: https://joegardener.com/subscribe-joe... And if you enjoy deeper conversations about organic gardening, ecology, and practical ways to grow smarter, be sure to subscribe to this channel. *Some links listed in my videos may be affiliate links. I receive a commission every time you purchase a product through an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.