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My propagator is a Super 7 Propagator, which is designed to fit on a windowsill. It holds seven quarter size seed trays with vented covers. I actually have two of these propagators, but I've been thinking of putting a different type of propagator on my wish list. I like the Super 7, but it's not ideal if you're wanting to grow large amounts of something, and it's not very adaptable. I'm thinking of getting one where the lid covers the heated base rather than individual trays, so that I'm able to start things off in different sized pots or trays.
Now that the seed sowing has started, I really need to sort out everything I'll be growing this year. I have a box which is divided up in to monthly sections, and I file the seed packets according to the month they need to be sown. It helps me to remember what to sow and when. I like systems which help me to stay organised.
It's the age-old battle isn't it? To sow or not to sow? I usually end up with leggy seedlings because I have been impatient. I'm hoping to get an indoor grow-light arrangement for my birthday, which is in March, so I'm going to postpone sowing for a few weeks yet (maybe with one or two exceptions!)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be getting grow lights. I wish I had room for a set up but there's just nowhere I could put one. Looks like it's leggy seedlings for me then.
DeleteBrilliant! I think it's awesome you're sowing early and I can't wait to sow my peppers this week too :)
ReplyDeleteI just hope that I can keep them growing well without them getting leggy. As you can tell, I don't have much patience for waiting for the new gardening season to get going.
DeleteYou didn't happen to get that packet of onion seeds as a magazine freebie did you?
ReplyDeleteI haven't bought a gardening magazine for well over a year, so I can definitely say no to that one.
DeleteWell done, you must be pleased to have made a start to the new season.
ReplyDeleteI must reshuffle my seeds! Flighty xx
I've been waiting for a long time to get sowing, and I've finally run out of patience. I think most of us look longingly at our seeds at this time of year.
DeleteCongrats on getting your seed sowing under way. I sowed my first of the season today some are indoors and some I have left in the unheated greenhouse. Fingers crossed something will germinate!
ReplyDeleteLet's hope that all our seeds germinate. I think there'll be quite a few of us who have made a start this weekend, it's hard to hold off any longer once February comes.
DeleteI really struggle to stop early sowings going leggy! I too have a Super 7 propagator, but I was also fortunate to be given a larger one a few years ago by an elderly relative with a lid that covers the base - it's very very useful.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably regret sowing so early, as you say, things do tend to go leggy, but I'll give it a go. I like the Super 7, it's ideal for a windowsill, but just a little restricting. It would be good to be able to sow things in different trays, so I think I'll put a different type of propagator on my wish list.
DeleteI've been itching to sow something for ages, but have so far managed to resist. Good luck with the peppers and onions :)
ReplyDeleteIt takes so much patience for gardeners at this time of year. I'm sure later sown seeds will always catch up, but I couldn't resist sowing something.
DeleteYou're off to a flying start then so well done Jo :) I'm planning to retrieve heated propagator from the loft this week to get some tomatoes and sweet peppers going. Think that I will be starting my onion seeds off in the greenhouse. Beginning to get very itchy fingers now.
ReplyDeleteMy propagator was retrieved from the loft today, always exciting when it makes it's entrance at the start of the year. I'm trying to hold off on my tomatoes for a while yet, they always seem to grow leggy when I start them off too soon, though I suppose they can be planted deep and no one would ever know.
DeleteIf you're sowing seeds that means cooler weather isn't too far away for us, which is sad as i've really enjoyed summer this year. Hope your peppers do well - they look a lot like a variety called Marconi Red that I'm growing this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see summer come to an end, especially if it's been a good one. I was only too glad to see our's come to an end last year though after the weather we'd experienced. I'm hoping for a better summer this year.
DeleteWell done Jo,I am fortunate enough to have a heated propagator and none heated(still envious of the grow light though).I started mine off in the heated propagator then transplant them once they are big enough quite deep in a compost/perlite mix to stop them rotting off then put them in the unheated propagator.Even though I have them in a heated greenhouse I only maintain it to about 4-5 degrees
ReplyDeleteI don't heat my greenhouse so my peppers will be indoors for the foreseeable future, especially if the weather stays as cold as it's been just lately.
DeleteThose peppers look lovely, I bought them but never grown the long variety before. I must try them.x
ReplyDeleteThe long varieties can sometimes be quicker to ripen, always good with the weather we can get here.
DeleteI'm still holding out for the end of the month. I might sow some onion seeds in the greenhouse then. Good luck with those early peppers.
ReplyDeleteI just hope I can keep the peppers from getting leggy. It's rather early to be sowing anything, but I'm impatient
DeleteI have the seeds, the compost and the pots. All I need now is the space.
ReplyDeleteIt will only get worse as time goes on. My windowsills end up chock a block during March and April.
DeleteI've decided to wait a bit longer before sowing. I'm too cold and lazy at the minute. I'll probably wish later I had started earlier.
ReplyDeleteWe woke to snow again this morning, so perhaps I've been a tad premature with my sowing, we'll see.
DeleteYou are so ahead of me! I am roughly, umm nowhere! LOL we have roof trusses in the veggie patch and snow over the rest of it!
ReplyDeleteIt's still very early, so don't panic. I'll probably regret sowing so early when they start growing leggy.
DeleteWell done for making a start - except for chitting potatoes I haven't done anything yet - can't seem to get my act together!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even collected the bulk of my potatoes yet, so you're ahead of me on that one. I really must make enquiries as to whether they've been delivered yet.
DeleteWooo hooo! A new season underway! Congratulations on leading the vanguard of seed sowers. As usual, I will be lagging at the back and there is little chance I'll catch up but it's going to be a glut year, I can feel it in my waters!
ReplyDeleteI bet you feel great for sowing those seeds - it's a fab feeling, isn't it?
I hope your waters are right, after last year's washout I could do with some good harvests. I love the start of the new gardening season, so much hope.
DeleteHi Jo,
ReplyDeleteI've just sown the first of my seeds today!
I have my propagator in the potting shed, below a large window. I then transfer them to the greenhouse (frost free) as soon as they begin to germinate. It seems to work!
Jessica
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. It's great to be at the start of another growing season. How I'd love a potting shed, or just somewhere other than my windowsills to start seeds off. It won't be long before I'm running out of space.
DeleteYour seed boxes sound extremely organised! Way more organised than I think I'll ever be.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the peppers! I like the look of your heated propagator and am considering buying one eventually. They look far easier to use than moving seed trays closer to radiators ;)
I'm not too organised, it's easy to pop a packet in to the wrong section, and then when you find it, you're a month late. Heated propagators can be handy for starting things off early, but not really needed if you've got a warm windowsill.
DeleteSeeds sowing...I feel so bad...I haven't even sorted through my seeds yet.. :-(
ReplyDeleteMy seeds aren't sorted either, I just couldn't resist getting something sown, though I'll probably regret it when they all grow leggy.
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