They are pricey I agree and they can reduce transplant shock. But I have found that they also dry out very fast because of the increased surface air exposure and so require more careful monitoring or you will get markedly reduced germination rates. Learned that the hard way. ;)

It can be a bit difficult to get your soilless mix just right so that the block retains its shape but isn't too hard for root penetration. Once you do making the blocks goes quickly. You'll need some sort of containment trays to hold the blocks until ready to transplant them to larger containers.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I haven't used a soil blocker but I have used the PotMaker. I made about 100 pots the other night in no time at all which are made from newspaper. You can write on the side of the pot before planting your seed so you will know who is who. Link is for one at Burpee but there are other folks out there that sell them.

Here is a link that might be useful: PotMaker

I always thought the soil block maker looked pretty cool,and you could make some blocks and put them in your strawberry containers. My daughter wants a LOT of flowers out front this year, so I saved the paper towel spools this year and cut them into 2 1/4" lengths. You can get four or five per spool. I have starter cells for my vegetables, but not enough for all the flowers, so this will be my little experiment for this year.

Yo digdirt! Dig this--'Dry out very fast'??? Obviously, you're not making the right blocking mix! 'Markedly reduced germination rates'??? Hah! I scoff at that remark. You obviously don't know how to germ seeds in blocks! And difficult is not the word when you're trying something so new; use 'experiment' And finally, they're expensive BECAUSE THEY LAST FOREVER!!! Nothing like buying a round of oil products year after year after year and watching them pile up around your place. Not me.

Here is a link that might be useful: The world's resource for soil block seed starting

I just started using a soil block maker this year and I'll be honest I was skeptical. But I am SOLD, 100%
Saves space, germination was great and no pots to sterilize.

I will definitely be giving my soil block maker a work out next spring ;)
Probably be shopping for a few different sizes as well.