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! Other considerations include watering and ventilating. Ideally you will want the internal atmosphere of your propagator to be warm and humid, without too much disturbance. A capillary mat will hold quite a lot of water, which will be drawn up into the pots and trays and help to keep the air moist. This means less time spent watering and more time for the propagator to stay closed and undisturbed. Also, you will want to control the amount of air that circulates within the unit to ensure there is no loss of young seedlings due to damping off. Tomatoes are very susceptible to damping off, which is generally caused by a combination of cool air and moisture. To give an idea of size: there are units that are small enough to fit onto windowsills, whilst others will need to be placed on a table/worktop/greenhouse shelf. 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 your propagator won’t fit on a windowsill, placing it on a table, desk or counter-top in a room that gets a lot of sunlight is another good choice.I bought the large vitopod last year and it was fantastic. It fits lots of plants and is easy to set up. I love it. 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.

Separate side extensions are available for increasing the height of your unit, up to 4ft if required. 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.

Although simple to use, there are no controls and the heat is only increased by 8°C - so this propagator still needs to be kept inside on a warm windowsill 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. Warmer than others on the market, raising the temperature around 10°C - suitable for seeds that prefer a warmer climate 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). This is a great piece of kit getting great results from my tomato and chilli I'm using it with the lights so the seedlings aren't leggy at all but I'm having to buy the height extension because growth on the tomatoes is so good.

Space - Unless you have a greenhouse with a power source, most of us will use a heated propagator at home. Position it on a flat surface; a windowsill out of direct sunlight is a good spot, but make sure the dimensions of your chosen propagator are a good fit. Measuring just 18.5cm wide, this propagator easily fits onto the average window ledge. The 76cm length means you can still fit ample seeds into this unit. The roof is high enough to allow seedlings to grow around 5cm, and the trays are also sufficiently deep to offer enough space for roots to fully develop. As a result, when it comes to planting seedlings out, they are already well established. Whilst this propagator does heat well, unfortunately there is no thermostat or temperature control. However, it seems to work effectively without the need for any of these added features. In general, the temperature inside the propagator rises by around 8°C and maintains a consistent heat. 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. 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.A lower-wattage propagator will heat up more slowly, but cost less to run, than a higher-wattage unit. 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! Enhance your camping experience with our extensive range of camping gear. Stay warm with insulated sleeping bags and cosy sleeping mats as you spend a night under stars Shop Sleeping Equipment >