[fibilou]

what needs germinating in them and what can I germinate in our house ?

I'm thinking atm that the following will need "the treatment"

Chilli seeds
Sweetcorn
Sweet peas
Melon if I decide to go for it.

Can you recommend a good one as well please, not too pricey as buying kit for our lottie has bankrupted us  

[richyrich7]

If your starting them in the house you could get away without heat just get a normal one , cheaper still are those plastic tent things that fit over a standard seed tray will do the job, I have a heated one but it doesn't have a thermostat on it so it's prone to overheat if I'm not careful  :shock:

So I'd save me cash for now and buy one with a thermostat when funds allow or at the end of the growing season when you can pick them up a bit cheaper at the major DIY chains etc as they sell them off to make way for Christmas stock.

[alibean]

To save money just sow your seeds a little later.   As long as seeds have a few days of constant temperature and a bit of moisture they'll get going on their own (or in an unheated greenhouse in my experience).

A heated Propagator is worth it if you want to get some early tomatoes / obos / chillis on the go, but if you wait before sowing then most things seem to catch up  

Good luck!!

[gobs]

Yes, I do agree. Not all things sold need buying. I've never in my life owned a heated propagator. And I have been growing all these crops and more for years.

I have the benefit of a lot of wide and sunny window sills though. But anything can make do, a couple of large chest of drawers' tops next to the patio door, a make shift shelf next to a good window in a suitable room/shed/garage. It heats up amazingly through a window when the sun is out. :!:

[richyrich7]

Yes I agree with both of the above posts one thing tho I have found them very good for is taking cuttings that bit of bottom heat combined with the humidity is far better IMHO than anything else.

[compostqueen]

I don't have a single windowsill in my house but my next house will have    So I have a heated prop, well three actually and I use them all. I bought them donkeys years ago. Good for bottom heat too without the lid which makes them even more versatile.  

I've had years of use from mine and hopefully many more to come. These are the bog standard electric ones with plastic lids (Sankey)

[dugless]

what needs germinating in them and what can I germinate in our house ?

I'm thinking atm that the following will need "the treatment"

Chilli seeds
Sweetcorn
Sweet peas
Melon if I decide to go for it.

Can you recommend a good one as well please, not too pricey as buying kit for our lottie has bankrupted us  

 Pitty you do not live nearer to me I have several small wattage industrail  heater tapes and an grundfoss thermostat that would make a good heat source for a propergator I was going to sell them on Ebay but if anyone out there wants them get in touch