Don't do it! they just aren't designed for use near water/dampness. See
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/556/ for info. Heat mats can be bought for £12 - £20 and will last for years.

The short answer is yes. If you don't have a greenhouse you'd be better off buying seedlings later in the season when they can be cheaper than growing them yourself. It's good fun growing your own but as the weather can be temperamental you need the right equipment, otherwise it's a waste of time and money.

Agree, absolutely not - if you want bottom heat, buy heat mats, as suggested by Hoya, or use a heated greenhouse.

Heron, are you saying it's okay to use an electric blanket designed for use on a bed for this purpose? Because that's what the questioner asks - and I'm still saying no, absolutely not. Do you think it's safe to do that? Be interested to know why

Questioner ends with "does that sound really really daft" hence Herons short answer. That's what I assume anyway Bamboo lol :-)

Oh okay, yea, got that, so he's saying yes, it is really daft - confused me anyway, lol

Thanks Bornagain. Had you worried there Bamboo !

in the lizzerd snake ie coldblooded pet shops they make water proof heat mats of variouse sizes and have a thermometer so you got the right temperature .im not sure there cheaper but its just a thaught.

without a greenhouse growing your own bedding plants really isn't a good idea... I can't imagine the heat pads for reptiles come cheap and would possibly be too hot for growing plants on.

Mmmm, electric blankets and water should never be mixed. Great danger!! There are specific heat mats for gardening which are alot safer and temperature controllable as some seeds won't need as much heat as others.

I've often wondered if putting a propagator on top of a recently turned over compost bin would be warm enough. Just waiting for someone else to try it !!

Heron, it was dun in the old days, I wont go in to it because someone said that they were going to write a blog on it the other day , and I have comoment on it befor but it was not compost even though that gets hot it was manure in a cold frame.

Interesting Cliffo, I'll look out for it.

I might be wrong but I think it was doctor bob

hello moon grower hope your well . the heat mats for reptiles are water proof and have a thermostat so the cant get to hot .they could be expensive but they mite be cheaper than anything for plants .they would be brilliant for a small propogater.

I have just orderd a large L52cm W 42.5cm H24cm,heated progagator from garden 4 less ,if you are interested get their web page and type in large heated progagator they are £29.99 post and packigeing free,

Thanks Cliffo just ordered one too! That is a good price especially with free postage.

sounds good cliffo