Market Farming

[Aaron Silverman <cgrowers AT pond.net>]

I did not include the blocking mix formula in my mix yesterday, as I seem 
to have "lost" all my worksheets made in developing the dang thing. Just 
took some time to get the company to fax me a copy from their computer:

25% perlite
8% vermiculite
32% peat moss
3% mason sand
12% aged sawdust
10% composted horse manure
10% composted chicken manure

I supply the perlite & vermiculite, and purchase the rest from the mixing 
company. This mix on its own is acidic (peat & aged sawdust), and doesn't 
really have enough fertility, either short or long term, to satisfy most 
transplants or cutting greens. I supply the company 200 lbs of a custom 
fertilizer blend (2-2-2 w/ 300lbs Ca per ton) when dropping off the 
perlite & vermiculite. Additionally, when hydrating the mix for blocking 
we put in some humic acid, finely ground lime, and either seabird or bat 
guano. The guano provides enough short term nitrogen for everything, 
while the rest of the mix provides longer term fertility for the 
transplants and the field in general.

I should point out that our choice to stick with soil blocks is not 
necessarily strictly an economical one. Until we finish developing a low 
cost seeder, the labor involved is far higher with blocks than with plug 
flats (we use these for flowers & aliums). The benefit for us is it is a 
fairly economical means of adding fertility to the field (only a portion 
of our fertility program), and the mix is recycled in either future mixes 
or, more commonly, in establishing various beds around our farm (not in 
the field). I personally like the system, and feel it produces healthier 
transplants - for me.

As for block size for cutting greens - most greens are raised in the 
smaller blocks (1.25"?). The exception in the past has been tatsoi (a 
very minor one) raised in 2" blocks.

Aaron

Creative Growers
Aaron Silverman
88741 Torrence Rd.
Noti, Or. 97461
cgrowers AT pond.net
Quality Produce & Pastured Poultry