First, you will need to know how much your energy provider charges per kilowatt-hour. Let’s say they charge 14p per kWh (a relatively standard rate in the UK). The lid height will dictate how long you can keep your produce growing in the propagator – if the plants start pushing the ceiling, they’ll have to be taken out. With this propagator, it’s possible to grow a range of worldwide plants from your home, greenhouse, or indoor grow space. Mimic the Mediterranean: if only it were that easy… The EarlyGrow 3-Bay Heated Electric Propagatoris impressively simple to use, yet cleverly designed. It’s got three well-sized “cells” that sit on top of a reservoir in the base of the unit. Fill it with water, set up the absorbent material over the base, turn it on and you’re good to go! Thanks to the seven separate cells, you can plant different types of seeds in each one if you wish, and each cell has its own vent to control the temperature according to the different plant.

The propagator features a durable plastic tray which, when in operation, keeps plants between 15 and 20℃. A clear plastic lid fits snugly on top to minimise warm air from escaping and adjustable vents to allow full circulation of fresh air if needed. There was only one way to test the EarlyGrow 3-Bay Heated Electric Propagator! I took my kids to our local garden centre, where they chose a small variety of fruit and vegetable seeds they wanted to grow. I tried to guide them within the suggested ‘germination months’, but they were naturally drawn to the strawberries! Hey, might as well give it a try right?! So we planted strawberry, peas, and giant pepper seeds. My boys ready for some planting!If there are separate trays, or there’s enough space to use your own pots, you can have a lot more flexibility on using different compost types and planting different seeds. For example, if you run a propagator of 100 W for an hour, at this rate, it will cost you 1.4p for that hour. A propagator of 50 W will cost 0.7p for an hour. And a propagator of 22 W will cost you 0.3 p per hour.

Electric propagators can range in wattage, and the size of the propagator will also affect how much power you need. The wattage determines the cost of running it. This electric heated propagator provides the ideal environment for seedlings and cuttings thanks to its sealed heating unit. Stewart Propagators are suitable for any indoor growing location - this might include inside the home or in greenhouses grow rooms and sheds. Obviously, the germination time is entirely dependent on the plant or vegetable variety, but it’s just a good example that the EarlyGrow is very capable of generating the right conditions for seed germination – which is of course the most important factor here. Looks like peas will be on the menu soon!Please note that the right to return goods which are not faulty does not apply to any goods which have been made to your own specifications. Plus, if you get a propagator with a thermostat, it will regulate the temperature and save energy by turning off when it reaches a certain temperature. Then, you’ll need to multiply the wattage of the propagator by the number of hours it’ll be used each day. Divide this number by 1000 and multiply by 14 (or your specific kWh rate).

The number of compartments will allow you to grow several types of different types of seeds; you can adjust the soil type and environment to suit the individual seed. In terms of performance, this propagator can be used to grow a wide variety of seeds. It comes with a 13W carbon fibre element that provides an even heat distribution, raising the temperature by around 8°C. Having said that, it’s still best installed on a sunny windowsill if you’re growing plants that prefer a lot of warmth.The design itself is very simple. This unit consists of a heated tray with a ventilated plastic lid – you supply your own trays/pots, but it can fit 2 x 24-pot plant trays, so that gives you a good idea of its size in practical terms. As I’ve already mentioned, this propagator is high performing, boosting the temperature by 8-10°C. The heat distributed is evenly spread across the base thanks to the reliable carbon fibre element, while the growing conditions can be controlled using individual vents across the 4 seed trays. Given that propagation can be a little hit and miss, having space in this large 52 x 42.5 x 28cm unit for so many seeds is one way to help increase the chances of success! This propagator is certainly very effective, prompting seeds to germinate often in a matter of days, or maybe a week at most. It encourages germination in a wide range of plants from tomatoes, to chillies, to flowers like achillea. The cost of the return of any faulty goods will be borne by Keengardener. We shall be entitled to charge you for the costs of returning goods which are not faulty.

Measuring just 76 x 18.4 x 15.2cm, this propagator fits most average windowsills. Each tray comes with a transparent lid so you can easily monitor the progress of your seedlings, while the air flow and temperature can be controlled using the red vents on each lid. Extra features on this propagator are very limited. There is no thermostat and no timer, although a timer can be separately hooked up. Many users found that it got too hot for some seedlings, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on things for the first few days. Generally, a height of around 20 cm will allow enough space for your seedlings to establish properly, giving them enough time to grow good roots and 3 – 4 full leaves before having to transplant them. For example, in the above list, there are some seven-cell propagators, which would make it possible to plant around 21 seeds (if you planted three seeds in each cell). However, the good thing with individual-cell propagators like this is that you can have better control over the temperature in each cell. With this propagator it’s possible to grow a range of worldwide plants from your home greenhouse or indoor grow space. Mimic the Mediterranean: if only it were that easy…Young plants are particularly susceptible to difficult climates, and need a consistent temperature to reach their peak. Germination only occurs when a plant has adequate moisture and warmth. This tray heats very evenly, but unfortunately there is no thermostatic control. Taking the temperature readings and opening the vents, or even turning the unit off for a brief time, is the only way to control the heat. However, most users find this level of control more than enough for most seedlings, and appreciate its ease of use. Take a look at the product’s dimensions and match them up with the space you have available – propagators come in a range of sizes, so you’ll find one to fit your space with a bit of searching! Although this propagator doesn’t have a timer or thermostat, the growing conditions can be controlled to an extent using the air vents. It’s also incredibly simple to use, while the heat produced is even across the 7 trays.