We fill a lot of seed packets in January and February. To speed seed packing up we have a fine collection of calibrated seed scoops. For a long time this collection was just a pile of kitchen measuring spoon with gradations from 1/2 teaspoon up to 1.5 tablespoon. These measurements gave us a certain flexibility but it wasn’t very precise to pack for very small seeds such as thyme or oregano seeds. My 15 new seed scoops fill that gap in my collection.
These are actually gun powder scoops. They range from 0.3 cc to 4.3 cc. A cc is a cubic centimeter – the same thing as a millilitre (ml). A teaspoon holds 5 ml and a tablespoon hold 15 ml. So, these 15 scoops are smaller than a teaspoon!
I am especially excited about the smallest scoops.
I first saw gunpowder scoops in seedy use when I visited High Mowing Seeds in 2008. It took me a couple of years to track them down. If you too would like to increase your seed scoop collection, a quick internet search for “Lee powder measure kit” will point you in the right direction.
Another option is to make your own seed scoops. The ruminant.ca has a picture of Andrea Berry’s seed scoops at Hope Seeds.
Thanks for the tip I can see how these little scoops would come in handy. What a great way to measure out small seed.
Hi Dan,
Aside from the obvious utility of these things, there is a striking irony here too. Seems to me that nothing could be more i dichotomous than scooping seeds vs. scooping gunpowder. Of course it would be an American seed company where you came upon this. Too funny!
Wow, these look great! Just what I need.
I ran across your blog while looking for seed envelopes and you are a true blessing! I’ve been trying to figure out how to supplement our Social Security as they keep talking about doing cuts.
I’ve been learning to save my own seeds and have managed finally, in zone 9b, to grow enough veggies in raised beds to can our produce or freeze it. (I just moved down here a couple of years ago and it’s a steep learning curve).
I’ve successfully saved and replanted tomatoes, onions, peppers, cukes, squash, collards, beans and corn. It’s a very gratifying feeling to save your own seeds and then see them spring back to life the next planting season.
Finding veggies that grow well in our sub-tropic area has become a fascinating challenge. And I believe that succeeding in that endeavor gives me something to offer others.