Garden gadgets - heated propagators

A heated propagator is an essential bit of kit if you’re someone who likes to raise plants from seed, and wants to get the growing season off to an early start.  They come in many shapes and sizes, some with temperature controls or self-watering options, but even a basic, small model with a warm baseplate and a lid will help boost germination rates at the beginning of the year when sunlight and natural warmth is in short supply.

It’s possible to make your own with a clear plastic storage box and an electric heat mat or a hot water bottle wrapped in insulating material, however there are a number of propagators on the market which suit different spaces and budgets.

You can buy large models with plenty of height and room for several large seed trays; long propagators which fit neatly on a windowsill, or compact, rectangular models which can accommodate a number of mini seed trays.  These may look small but can comfortably start off a good crop of seeds, such as chillies, tomatoes or annuals - excellent for slow growing plants or those which prefer a long growing season.

Once most of your seeds have germinated and are ready to be pricked out you can move them into larger seed trays or small pots to grow on under cover, and then get on with sowing the next batch.  Once you’ve tried a heated propagator you won’t look back.  They’re simple to use, don’t take up too much space and afford the opportunity to make a start to the season’s crops in the colder months when gardeners begin to feel twitchy to get growing!

(Note: this is not a review of brands and products available to buy.)