Looking for a way to start seeds at home without using plastic pots or expensive tools? You can create soil blocks yourself with simple items found around your house.
Using these DIY soil block makers helps you grow strong plants while saving money and cutting down on plastic waste. This guide offers 17 easy ideas to get you started.
1. Simple Wooden Frame for Soil Blocks
You can build a sturdy soil block maker using scrap wood and a flat board to press soil into shape. This method helps you create even blocks that support seedling growth. It is a practical choice that lets you adjust size and shape for your gardening needs.
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【Upgraded Durable Thickened Soil Blocker with Comfortable Round Handle】The Nanovi Soil Block Maker is made of refined zinc-coated steel, sturdy without deformation for long-term recycling use, allowing you to quickly make four 2-inch soil blocks with seed holes and easily pushing them out, just like a "pot-less" pot, offering a comfortable and labor-saving soil blocking experience while enabling you to efficiently cultivate vigorous rooted seedlings without the need for plastic containers.
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2. Making Soil Blocks with PVC Pipe
You can create soil blocks using a short piece of PVC pipe and a plunger. Fill the pipe with damp soil mix, then push it out using a dowel or similar tool. This method is affordable, easy to use again, and simple to clean after each use.
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Comfortable - No More Sharp Edge: Humanization seed block maker comfortable round handle design, upgrade the comfort of operation. Durable Heavy-gauge Steel-epic quality with strong structure and material, no rust & less noise!
Good Material: Our tree stumps molds are made from high-quality silicone, ensuring durability and flexibility. the wood grain pattern provides a detailed texture, making each impression unique.
RUGGED AND DURABLE: Made of high-quality and durable galvanized steel, the soil blocker is compact in structure, easy to install, can be used repeatedly for a long time, comfortable and easy to operate, and is a good helper for your garden.
3. Using Ice Cube Trays to Make Soil Blocks
You can turn old ice cube trays into simple molds for starting seeds. Fill each section with moist soil and press gently to form firm blocks. This way, you create many blocks at once, making seed starting quicker and easier for your garden.
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EASIER SEED STARTING: Our Burpee SuperSeed tray with 36 flexible pop-out cells is designed to simplify indoor seed starting for all your favorite vegetables, flowers and herbs. Just add seed starting mix, seeds, water and light to get growing! Rows are labeled alphanumerically for seedling identification with included Plant-o-Gram diagram. Tray dimensions: 11.5" x 10-3/8" x 2-1/4"
99‑Piece All‑In‑One Party Ice Set: Includes 3 ice trays, sealed storage bin and ice scoop, producing 99 0.8 inch mini ice balls. This complete kit suits daily home life, gatherings, home bartending, RV travel and camping
4. Muffin Tin Soil Blocks
You can use a muffin tin as a simple tool to shape soil blocks for starting seeds. Fill each cup with your soil mix and press it down firmly with your hand or a small tool. The even size of each cup helps keep blocks uniform, making it easier when you move seedlings later.
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Upgraded Flexible Cells: Upgraded Silicone Seed Starter Tray with 12 flexible pop-out cells per tray. The soft silicone cells keep seedlings well protected and can be gently bent and popped out when it's time to transplant to your outdoor garden! Our seed starting trays are specifically designed to reduce stress on seedlings, so you won't damage their roots when transplanting
Flexible Pop-Out Cells: Upgraded Silicone Seed Starter Tray with 12 flexible pop-out cells per tray, the soft silicone cells keep seedlings well protected and can be gently bent and popped out when it's time to transplant to your outdoor garden! This seed starting trays are specifically designed to reduce stress on seedlings, so you won't damage their roots when transplanting
Made of food-grade square silicone mold, make 126 gummies in one go, each square capacity 2 ML, 0.6"x0.6"x0.4"
5. Using an Aluminum Can to Make Soil Blocks
You can transform an empty aluminum can into a soil block mold by cutting off its top and bottom. Press moist soil into the cylinder and use a plunger to pack it firmly. This method saves money, recycles materials, and helps you create compact seed-starting blocks easily.
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RUGGED AND DURABLE: Made of high-quality and durable galvanized steel, the soil blocker is compact in structure, easy to install, can be used repeatedly for a long time, comfortable and easy to operate, and is a good helper for your garden.
Upgraded Soil Blocker for Seed Starting:Soil Blocker Set Simply and Quickly make a set of 8 pcs 2" quad soil blocker.It reduce the need for wasteful plastic seed cell trays and save your time and money.
The Micro 20 makes twenty 3/4" soil blocks per press — designed for fine seeds: lettuce, basil, tomato, parsley, celery, and small-seeded flowers. New to soil blocking or growing squash, beans, or cucumbers? The Mini 4 is the better starting point.
6. 3D Printed Soil Block Tool
You can create your own soil block tool using a 3D printer. This allows you to adjust the size and shape to fit your garden needs. It supports a more eco-friendly approach by reducing the use of plastic pots. Printing your tool gives you control and precision.
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🌱《DURABLE and BEAUTIFUL》 This gardening tool is made of high-quality and durable galvanized steel，Sophisticated structure, simple to use, can be used repeatedly for a long time，reducing the demand for plant trays.
【Upgraded Comfortable Handle Soil Blocker】The soil blocker 2 inch made of high quality iron which sturdy and well built so lasts through years of use. The soil block features a thickened round handle design to increase the force-bearing area with no sharp edges, ensure it comfortable and easy to operate soil blocks, make your garden even more beautiful.
Outstanding Performance:Designed to work with the soil blocker(Excluding the soil block maker), the seed plugs easily make regular indentations in loose soil blocks. This ensures that you can accurately place tiny seeds into the holes, improving sowing efficiency and seedling emergence.
7. Flexible Silicone Seed Block Mold
You can turn silicone baking trays into handy seed block molds for your garden. Their soft, bendable material lets you pop out soil blocks without breaking them. These molds clean easily and can be used again each planting season, saving time and effort.
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✅ LFGB Certified & Truly BPA-Free Safety: Crafted from premium, food-grade silicone and PP. These ice cube trays for freezer are independently certified to LFGB standards, ensuring no odors or chemicals transfer, for pure ice in family drinks and meals.
Unique lid slides to release as many ice cubes as you choose
Easy Release Ice Tray: Our ice cube trays are designed for easy release of ice cubes. Simply fill the tray with water, cover it, and place it in the freezer. The silicone base and plastic edges ensure effortless removal of ice cubes. With just a twist and a light press, your ice cubes will easily pop out.
8. Using a Drawer Handle Mounted on a Base
You can attach an old drawer handle to a flat surface to create a hand press for shaping soil blocks. This setup lets you control how firmly the soil is packed, helping keep the blocks consistent. It’s an easy way to turn common household parts into a practical gardening tool.
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【Must Read】1. This product is a Resin Mold, NOT a Rolling Tray. 2. Please add an additional support to keep the shapes before you pour the resin into the mold. P.S. A waste box would be very helpful
[STURDY AND REUEABLE]: The bottom of this seed starter tray is designed with silicone, which is flexible and can be popped out. The whole seedling and the roots will be transplanted out intact without affecting the roots.
Large Tray Molds - Mold Size：10.6x7.6x1 very suitable for display and placement of your own accessories. DIY your unique tray, show off your great taste! It will look eye-catching in any room
9. DIY Soil Block Mold from Plastic Bottles
You can turn a plastic bottle into a simple soil block mold. Use the bottle’s bottom to form the block shape. The neck of the bottle works well as a handle, making it easy to press soil. This method helps cut down on plastic waste in your garden.
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Upgraded Soil Blocker for Seed Starting:Soil Blocker Set Simply and Quickly make a set of 8 pcs 2" quad soil blocker.It reduce the need for wasteful plastic seed cell trays and save your time and money
【4-in-1 For Effortless Seed Starting】 Craft four 2"x2" nutrient-rich soil blocker in one press! Aerated structure with perlite pockets (as shown) ensures optimal root oxygenation, reducing seedling prep time by 70%—perfect for herbs, veggies, and flowers.
10. Cookie Cutter Soil Blocker
You can use cookie cutters made of metal or plastic to shape soil blocks for seed starting. Press the cutter firmly into a tray filled with compacted soil mix, then lift it out to get clean, shaped blocks. This method adds a simple and creative way to make soil blocks.
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【Upgraded Heavy Duty Soil Blocker with Comfortable Handle】zukakii 8 Cell 2" Seed Starting Soil Blocker has fully upgraded the material and structure, made of heavy duty...
11. Heavy-Duty Metal Tube with Compacting Plunger
You can use a sturdy metal tube paired with a plunger made from wood or metal. This setup gives you strong, well-shaped soil blocks. The plunger helps press the soil firmly, making it easier to form consistent blocks. This method works well if you want a long-lasting tool with precise results.
12. Lego-Inspired Soil Block Maker
You can use large Lego-style molds to create even soil blocks for your garden. These blocks stack neatly and work well for starting seeds. This method adds a playful touch you and your kids can enjoy while gardening.
13. Small Yogurt Cups with Drain Holes
You can use old yogurt containers by making small holes in the bottom for water drainage. This helps air circulate and prevents water from pooling around your seedlings. These small containers are perfect if you want an easy and affordable way to start plants in a limited space.
14. Tin Foil DIY Soil Mold
You can shape tin foil into a simple soil mold that fits your seedling needs. This method lets you create custom sizes and forms easily. It is light, affordable, and can be reused or thrown away after use, making it an adaptable choice for your gardening projects.
15. Using a Measuring Cup and Press
You can create uniform soil blocks using a measuring cup and a small press or spoon. This setup helps you keep the same amount of soil in each block, promoting even seed growth. These items are easy to find and clean, making the process simple and efficient.
16. Cardboard Tube Seed Block Mold
You can use short sections of toilet paper or paper towel tubes as molds for soil blocks. Just fill the tube with moist soil and press it gently to shape a block. Afterward, plant the whole tube in your garden. This method is simple and helps reduce waste.
17. Simple Wooden Dowel Press with Base
You can build a soil block press by attaching a wooden dowel to a flat base. This setup lets you press soil into firm, even blocks easily. It works well with most soil mixes and holds up with regular use.
Using this press, you avoid plastic pots while starting seeds. The process saves you money and reduces waste.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A sturdy flat board as the base
- A wooden dowel, securely fixed upright
- Moist soil mix
To make blocks, pack moistened soil around the dowel and push it into the base. The soil will form compact blocks that are good for seed roots. This method is simple, effective, and perfect whether you are new or experienced in gardening.
