I have tried many different seed starting systems over the years, but keep coming back to Parks. It's simple, and reliable. I always have excellent germination rates with this system, even with older seed. I don't mind that the blocks take a long time to break down in the garden. I feel this adds extra water retention for the soil to both deal with excess water and help in times of drought. Would definitely give it 5 stars, except that it is a bit expensive. However, even though I try to live a somewhat frugal life, I still justify the extra expense because of the excellent results. I don't like direct sowing unless I can readily identify a very young seedling, as living in a semi-rural area, we have so many weeds that self sow in the garden even with mulching, that I don't want to risk accidentally letting a weed (especially a poisonous one such as poke weed) grow. Also, many other seed starting systems are very flimsy, but this is nice and sturdy. I have been using this system since it first started and still have some of my original blocks! One thing I do is to transplant when young and not put the blocks in the sun. That way I'm not using these containers when hardening off. Another tip, I use the blunt end of a chop stick to push the cells from the bottom when removing to prevent damage to the plant and the starter block. Base and dome are also very sturdy and have survived my hubby's rough handling (tossing here and there if he's looking for something on my work bench #!$#!). BTW, I also love the way Parks packages their seeds - keeps them viable for a long time.

I have several different sizes. I grow stocky tomato pepper and eggplant seedlings in the 40 sponge and cabbage, broccoli etc in the 60 sponge. With these sponges on the Styrofoam blocks if you will be gone for a few days you can put quite a bit of water in the tray and the block floats so the plants do not drown or get too wet and suffer damping off disease. I have a shelf with a heat mat under and 2 fluorescent shop lights over in my garage,

love this bio dome because it is not to big and not to small. you can use it with out the block as well. this year i planted tomatoes tomatillos and lavender on january 2014 and today is feb 19 2014 and all of the plant are ready to go uot side. o i use 16oz water bottles cut them in half put on some seed starting mix put the seed in and i got perfec germination, In all words canot explane how great this dome is love it love it. Yuo shoud put videos on you tube of this great bio dome