One of my favorite gardening gadget is a stainless steel measuring spoon. I save and trade seeds, and like having 1/8 tsp, 1/16 tsp & 1 / 32 tsp.

They are great for scooping a controlled amount out of a packet or ziplock baggie, and they don't go "SPROING" as easily as plastic.

I tried making tiny scoops from chopsticks & skewers with a slice from a plastic starw taped to the end and cut on a slant. That does scoop a tiny, controlled amount, but just isn't as handy as a 1/32 tsp spoon. However, for measuring dust-like seeds, even 1/32 tsp is too big.

$5.17 for all three:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb...

What's your favorite gardening gadget?

Corey

Kool idea Corey, I had one from bed bath and beyond that was silicone and had 4 sizes in 1, but my puppy found it and I haven't replaced it. Favorite gadgets for seedlings are ziplock bags and chop sticks.

>> but my puppy found it

PPPP LOL!

I guess stainless steel has other advatages than it's anti-sproing tendency.

I'm clumsy with small seedlings, so I cut one prong off a fork and bent the other two so they form a triangle with just a little spread: good for surrounding a small root, and good for cradling the seedling-root-ball so its less likely to crumble or fall off.

I liked it, so I made another.

Then I found they were were good for mixing soil, digging tiny holes and scratching up the soil surface in a 3" pot, or even smaller inserts & propagation cells.

The smallest pitchfork ever made!

Finally a use for forks that get mangled in the disposal!

Mangled forks are an awesome idea!

For scooping seeds into bags, I use a baby spoon.

For measuring fertilizers I use a plastic measuring cup. You know, those plastic cups that often come free with liquid medicine like cough syrup.

Karen

I have a BUNCH of those little plastic measuring cups. I use them for measuring fertilizer and also for collecting small seeds. When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago, the nurse noticed I was squirreling away the little cups they bring meds in and gave me a stack of them!

I also use a butter knife in the GH for easing seedlings out of their pots to transplant. And I agree, measuring spoons are a must!

Check Amazon.com for the very, very small measuring spoons.
Amco Measuring Spoons for Small Amounts
Norpro 3080 Mini Measuring Spoons, 5 Piece Set

When a laundry detergent jug is empty, I rinse it very well, then cut out the bottom to make a large scoop for fertilizer and seed-sprouting mix. The jug's handle makes a great handle for the scoop.

When filling trays of inserts (6-packs) or propagation plug trays with soilless mix, the cut edges of the laundry detergent jugs make a great scraper for evening off, and the sides are good tampers.

An old butcher knife with the edge and tip dulled is good for breaking up peat moss in the bale, or mixing soiless mix.

I suppose a trowel works just as well, but mine are rusty and hard to keep clean. Also, the butcher knife is longer and has a better handle.

Awww, I just like used knives!

It isn't really a gadget, but anytime I have vine seedlings that tend to spread, I just grab a twig ( I have tons of live oaks) and then I have a perfect little plant stake.

A potato masher for moistening seedling starting or peat-based mixes. Saves your hands.

The smallest measuring spoons were designed to fit just-one-seed, even for pretty small seeds:

Lee Valley Seed Spoon (R)

http://www.leevalley.com/en/ga...



Edited to add ...

Lee Valley and every other vendor reported "out of stock, so I asked Rittenhouse, and got a very prompt reply:

Dear Richard,
The Seedspoons were not ours. We did sell them but the company stopped making them years ago. We have none left. We do not know of anyone selling them.

Thank you,
Bruce

Bruce Zimmerman GWA HTD LICRH
Consumer Products Manager
M.K. Rittenhouse & Sons Ltd.

The kitchen or household section of thrift shops is a treasure chest. Strong knives for fifty cents to a dollar, all kinds of measuring spoons in plastic or stainless, same for measuring cups. Bowls (for soaking plants), vases for fifty cents, glasses of all sizes for rooting cuttings, many beautiful plates that can be used as plant saucers, etc. Visit one and let your imagination run wild.

I have had my seed spoons for years, and they're great for when I have just a few tiny, expensive seeds.

Pirl, your dollar store sounds a lot better than mine

Karen

Karen - I don't go to dollar stores because the one we have, not even nearby, is horrible. I go to thrift shops run by a local charity.

That's where I get my outfits for the scarecrow as well.

Well dressed scarecrows

Karen

Wish I could remember where I bought the umbrella hats! They worked very well.

I'm scared.

This post talked about "Seed Spoons" for sowing single, small seeds.
http://garden.org/thread/view_...

When Lee Valley and every other vendor reported "out of stock", I asked Rittenhouse, and got a very prompt reply:

---
Dear Richard,
The Seedspoons were not ours. We did sell them but the company stopped making them years ago. We have none left. We do not know of anyone selling them.

Thank you,
Bruce

Bruce Zimmerman GWA HTD LICRH
Consumer Products Manager
M.K. Rittenhouse & Sons Ltd.

Just saw this on Amazon -- Tiny spoon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044EOKLI/