One of our biggest challenges is to extend the growing season and reduce the slower, winter months, so in order to get ahead of the game are aim is to get plants germinating a little earlier that typical. To do this and to guard against damaging frosts we have been building a bigger propagator.
Utilising the existing grow beds in the polytunnel a simple batten frame and a roll of bubble wrap gave us the base for a very effective piece of kit.
Opening top and sides, the new propagator had maximum ventilation and provided excellent light levels. This also meant access was easy and we will be able to lift trays and pots in comfortably.
Aluminum poles off an old fishing rod stand made excellent light weight stays to hold the top sections open.
As the grow bed is already covered with a liner, this provided the waterproofing we needed to accommodate the heating cable and damp sand.
The cable was placed on top of insulation board again to maximise the warmth, damp sand was then used to cover the two, to act as a material to transmit heat, protect the cable and provide a level surface for our trays and pots.
Once complete, our fresh sowings were at the ready and the propagator was filled instantly - pots galore, full of the traditional such as tomatoes and beetroot, together with the unusual like celtuce, agretti, just to name a few.
With Mark I complete and already full, Mark II was soon underway and positioned adjacent.
An impressive structure, provides an excellent space to both stimulate germination and then provide frost protection.
And stimulate germination it certainly does, as for the frost protection - fortunately we haven't really had that test yet - but I do recall snow in March last year!!
Happy days!!