Soil Blocker

Say goodbye to fiddly plastic modules and hello to happy, healthy seedlings! This clever little tool presses damp compost into four neat 5cm blocks at a time. No pots, no trays to wash, and no wrestling seedlings out of cells come planting day.

Why do we love soil blocking? Each block is its own little home. When roots reach the edge of the block, they meet air and stop growing, instead of circling round and round like they do in a pot. The result is strong, compact roots and much less transplant shock when your seedlings move to the veg patch. It’s also a lovely way to cut down on single-use plastic in the potting shed.

It comes with Seed Pins, which press a small dimple into the top of each block, just right for popping in a seed. Want to do more? Fit the Cube Inserts and each block gets a square hole, ready for your Micro 20 seedlings to slot straight in as they grow on. Or use the Dowel Pins to make deeper holes for cuttings and larger seeds like beans, squash and sweetcorn.

Dimensions
Height: 22cm
Length: 19.2cm
Width: 5cm
Weight: 0.75kg

Made with love by three sisters

There’s a wonderful story behind this tool. Ladbrooke Soil Blockers has been run by sisters Ali, Roo and Vicky since 1998. After years apart building their careers and raising their families, they came back together when a close family friend, Don, left them an inheritance that inspired them to start a business together.

That’s how they met Mike Ladbrooke, the inventor of the soil blocker, who was looking to retire. With help from their dad, a keen gardener who ran a local press-working company, they built a workshop in the old stables of their childhood home. Mike taught them the craft over long summer mornings (and even longer lunches!). They still use his original hand presses today, and every tool is made and packed by hand in the UK.

As a female-led business ourselves, we’re so proud to stock them.