Market Farming

["Vivian Kooken" <vslk AT thepipeline.net>]

Pat & others,
I guess I could reuse the inserts from year to year, but I haven't.  Too
lazy I guess :o(    I have been buying my flats (which I do reuse) and
inserts from Griffin Greenhouse Supply and can only buy in case quantities,
so the cost adds up really fast, especially if I want different sized flats
/ pots for different things.

With the soil blocks, I really like the idea of carefully seeding in the
mini blocks, and then transplanting into the larger ones by just dropping
them into the depression in the larger block.  So, even though it may take
me longer to seed initially, I can forsee a time savings later on.  One
website I read mentioned seeding three onion seeds in the mini blocks,
potting on as they grow, and then transplanting the whole block into the
garden (the onions pushing away from eachother as they grow).  This idea
makes my heart leap with anticipation, since last year transplanting onions
and leeks became the bane of my existence (yes - I am going to try some
onions from starts this year, too!).

My quick search online did not find any wholesale-type sources for
perma-nest trays.

About the soil - Fedco seeds listed a source of potting soil that they said
worked well with blockers.  I am going to get a bag of that to try for my
early seeding, then a cooperative buy from Ideal Compost in NH with another
grower who uses blocks.  I am glad to hear there are some growers who have
success with this method - we'll see how it goes!

Thanks,
Vivian
(zone5/6 in southeastern NH)