Question about propagator, tools, plant protection, and preparing ground for planting

[IndigoElectron]

Hi there. I'm new to gardening and keen to get started!

I've got a heated propagator, one of these:

Botanico Electric Heated Propagator-Small

as well as an unheated windowsill propagator. I'm not sure how/when to use these, and I don't know what temperature the heated propagator operates at. Am I meant to keep the seeds in the dark until they have germinated, then give them light? Do I keep the cover on the propagators? Do all seeds need to go in them?

In our back garden there's a small border about 4m long and 50cm wide, in which I plan to grow some veg. I've dug up the weeds, now I plan to dig in some compost and cover with cardboard to stop the weeds growing back, until I am ready to plant. Does that sound like the right thing? How long should I wait before planting, after I've dug in the compost? Do I need to add any fish, blood and bone?

Also, I'm not sure what tools I need. I've got a spade, long handled fork, and hand trowel. I was looking at a hand fork and a hand cultivator:

http://www.wilko.com/hand-tools/wilk...l/invt/0134710
http://www.wilko.com/hand-tools/wilk...r/invt/0325881

but I'm not sure what the difference is between them. Do I need both? I thought I could use the hand cultivator as a mini rake, to save me buying a new one.

Finally, I have bought these from Wilkinson's:

Wilko Cloche Tunnel Polythene 3m at wilko.com
Wilko Cloche Tunnel Fleece 3m at wilko.com
Wilko Cloche Tunnel Netting 3m at wilko.com

Do I actually need them? And when/how would I use them?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any advice!

[WendyC]

I am assuming the propagator hasn't got a temperature gauge on it. They usually lift the temperature a few degrees above the room temperature. If you have a couple of thermometers you could test it for yourself. Confusingly some seeds need light to germinate and some don't. The seed packet should tell you whether to cover with compost or not. Having said that most vegetable seeds are covered by about their own depth of compost. Propagators are just to help seeds germinate and need to come out once they're up. Only veg seed that really need heat are plants like peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes. Before going mad with sowing, think about where the plants will go once germinated. Tender plants can't out til mid May and can be quite big by then if sown too early. Peas and brassicas don't need any heat to germinate. Root vegetables need sowing directly.
As far as tools go, a hand fork might be handy but buy them as and when you need them. Good luck.

[Florence Fennel]

Sounds like you're very well prepared. Nothing much to add to the good advice Wendy has given, but do think about how much space you have when you're sowing your seeds - I think you'll find there's never enough. If you dip in the threads on Vegging Out and have a look at What I did Today, you'll find plenty of guidance. Good luck with your growing and welcome to the Vine

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks both, I think I understand about the propagator now.

Wendy, can you tell me the difference between the hand fork and hand cultivator, and what I would use each one for?

It would be great too if anyone could answer my other questions :-)

[rustylady]

Indigo, I would wait a bit before you buy any more tools. Decide then what you need. I love my "3 pronged doofer" but it doesn't do quite the same as a handfork. As you said, it's more of a rake / weeder.

Whether you need any of the tunnels you've bought depends on what you are going to grow. You really do need to tell us, so we can help.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Rustylady. I wasn't planning to buy any more tools at the moment but I thought those two looked useful. I'm pleased to hear I can use the cultivator as a rake, I don't have much soil in the garden so it seemed silly to buy a full size one. I'm still not entirely sure what the hand fork is for though!

As for what I'm going to plant, I have rather a lot of seeds :-) Most of them were free, and I recently took advantage of an offer in our local Lidl. Hopefully they won't be a complete disaster! I'm sure I have more than I need, here are a few that I know I can plant now/soon (though I would need a greenhouse for some of them):

Aubergine
Basil
Beetroot
Carrot
Corn salad
Cress
Cucumber
Chives
Coriander
Dill
Leek
Onion
Parsley
Pepper
Radish
Rocket
Salad leaves
Spinach, perpetual spinach
Spring onion
Strawberry
Thyme
Tomato

I want to plant a variety of things but not have too many of each. I've just come across the square foot gardening method and it seems perfect for what I want to do. I do have a couple of questions about that, so I'll post them in the Vegging Out forum. I also have space for containers and hanging baskets.

[WendyC]

You will be able to dig deeper with a hand fork than a cultivator.

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Wendy, I think I get it now :-)

[leonmc0708]

in my experience - having used proprgators myself without temperatures - most seeds will sprout inside regardless of temp - with the likes of chillis and some toms being very picky on their temperature

[IndigoElectron]

Thanks Leon, I did get it mainly so I could germinate tomato seeds. That's useful to know though :-)

[Two_Sheds]

as well as an unheated windowsill propagator. I'm not sure how/when to use these,... Am I meant to keep the seeds in the dark until they have germinated, then give them light?

different seeds need different temps. Generally, you get better germination with warmer temps, but not always (some seeds hate warmth, or they go silly with it)

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...res_15025.html

Use the propagators for the seeds that need most heat. You will be juggling things around for a while, until you get some experience. It's all good though, all learning.

Do NOT sow all your seeds at once. Not only do you NOT want 3000 lettuces all at once, but you need to keep some seed back in case your first batch fails.

[Two_Sheds]

there's a small border about 4m long and 50cm wide, in which I plan to grow some veg.

The most important thing is light: is your border sunny (south or west facing is ideal). No shade, shade isn't good for most veg

blood fish and bone

don't go buying all the gear until you've got an idea (what you're doing). BFB is a plant food, slow release. It's useful, but I bet your soil is good enough for your first year.

I'm not sure what tools I need. I've got a ...hand trowel.

That's all I use, mostly. That and a patio weeder, instead of a hoe (I don't do hoeing, or digging).