Price Points: Heated propagators

Heated propagators

I bought a selection of vegetable seeds recently. I planted out the peas and the Brussels sprouts straight away, but it’s a little too early for the squashes and courgettes. Like tomatoes, these seeds need a bit of warmth to germinate; heated propagators would be very helpful in getting them off to a good start. We have a lean-to greenhouse, but it’s north facing, so doesn’t get sufficient heat or light until quite late in the growing year.

When it comes to propagators, to me, size matters. The peas that I sowed in my (unheated) propagator quickly outgrew it. The tips are already touching the lid, but the seedlings aren’t yet ready to plant on. #3 is extra tall – almost twice as high as the shortest one. It means that the roots and first true leaves have a longer period to develop before the upheaval of replanting.

  1. Stewart heated propagator 38cm: £20.35, B&Q
    19.5cm (h) x 38cm (w) x 24.5cm (d)
  2. Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator: £42.99, Robert Dyas
    15cm (h) x 76cm (w) x 18.5cm (d)
  3. Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w: £49.99, Crocus
    26.5cm (h) 59cm (w) x 41cm (d)

shop heated propagators

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
£49.99
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
£42.99
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
£20.35
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
£49.99
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
£42.99
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
£20.35
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
£49.99
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
£42.99
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
£20.35
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
£49.99
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
£42.99
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
£20.35
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
Extra large high dome electric propagator 24w
£49.99
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
Garland Super 7 electric windowsill propagator
£42.99
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
Stewart heated propagator 38cm
£20.35

Price Points: Eco plant labels

Eco plant labels | H is for Home

Autumn is a time for planting seeds & cuttings for next year. Annuals such as sweet peas & poppies, edible bulbs like onions & garlic and cuttings from woody herbs such as rosemary & lavender. To remember what seeds you planted where and when, eco plant labels are a must.

Use plant labels that are either biodegradable or reusable. The bamboo version we’ve featured can be both these things, breaking down after a few years of use. Write the names of your plants on the slate labels using a permanent ink marker (either black or white ink). The aluminium plant labels can be marked using a carbide-tipped scriber. Finding broken bits of plastic plant markers in our compost heap is infuriating!

  1. 50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen: £6.79, Amazon
  2. 20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers: £12.00, eBay
  3. 100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels: £13.50, Amazon

shop eco plant labels

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
£13.50
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
£12.00
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
£6.79
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
£13.50
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
£12.00
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
£6.79
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
£13.50
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
£12.00
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
£6.79
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
£13.50
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
£12.00
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
£6.79
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
100 x 10cm aluminium plant labels
£13.50
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
20 x hand-made Welsh slate plant labels/markers
£12.00
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
50 x bamboo plant labels with marker pen
£6.79

Price Points: Windowsill propagators

Windowsill propagators | H is for Home

We’re on summer time – the nights are getting shorter, the days are getting longer. The earth is warming up, it’s time to get some seeds sprouting. Some seeds can go straight out into open ground or outdoor pots & planters. Many other seeds are a little more delicate and need a helping hand. Windowsill propagators are the perfect tools for the job.

This week, I’m finding it hard to choose the best of the three, each has its own plus points. The cheap Jiffy comes with biodegradable ‘pot strips’, so there’s no need to disturb the fragile little roots when planting out. The mid-range Marshalls offering comes with trays that can hold up to 48 cells, so pricking out won’t be necessary. The Super 7 has a heated tray which means that seeds will germinate earlier, more quickly and more successfully. Quite an asset if your windowsills are as cold as ours!

  1. Jiffy 20 strip windowsill propagator: £6.00, Suttons
  2. Windowsill propagator kit: £14.95, Marshalls
  3. Garland Super 7 windowsill propagator: £25.99, Keen Gardener

Lemon fresh!

'Lemon fresh!' blog post banner

growing lemon seedlings in a vintage oversized tea cup | H is for Home

I first got the idea of growing my own lemon plants from a pin I came across on Pinterest.

Vintage oversized tea cup, lemon seeds, gravel and compost

It looked really easy so I collected all the pips from lemons we used in cooking for a few weeks.

Planting lemon seeds in a vintage oversized tea cup

When I had a handful, I was ready to go. I opted for this lovely oversize cup as a container – you can choose anything you fancy – cups, old tins, boxes etc. Some gravel in the bottom to prevent water-logging and multi-purpose compost to cover. Done!

Germinating lemon seeds in a vintage oversized tea cup

The pips were planted in February and small shoots appeared in June, so it took quite a while for them to start germinating – I have to admit that I nearly gave up on them! They got a day in the sunshine as encouragement & reward when I saw those first shoots appear.

Lemon seedlings growing in a vintage oversized tea cup

Look at them now! The bold, brightly coloured pattern of the cup contrasts with the glossy green foliage of the young lemon plants. It looks fabulous on our kitchen window sill… and they smell gorgeous when you rub a leaf between your fingers – fresh and citrusy.

Lemon seedlings growing in a vintage oversized tea cup

I can leave them in the cup as they are now and have lots of these pretty dwarf plants – or perhaps pot these on to get larger lemon trees and start again with the pips. A fully fledged lemon business maybe!