Handheld Seed Sower with 5-Setting Dial, 12 cm

A handheld seed sower for small seeds and straight rows

This is a small seed sower you hold in one hand. You put the seeds in the round container, turn the clear lid to one of five settings, and tap the chute with a finger so the seeds roll out one at a time.

It is about 12 cm long and weighs 19 g, and it comes in light green or dark green.

At a glance

The piece: a dial, a chute and a ribbed grip

The container is round with a clear lid, so you always see how many seeds are left. The lid turns, and the numbers and arrow marks on it line up with an opening for each setting. From the container a narrow chute runs to a point, with ribs on the part you hold.

The supplier calls it a precision seed planter. It is a simple hand tool, which is what we like about it. We sell it without a brand, because the supplier data names no maker.

Who it's for

For you if you sow from seed and end up with a clump of seedlings in one spot and none in the next. It suits a vegetable bed as well as a windowsill with seed trays in spring.

It is also a nice small gift for someone who has just started growing their own herbs or vegetables.

Closer look: what you get

• One seed sower (supplier)
• Dial with 5 settings for different seed sizes (supplier and photos)
• Clear lid to see the seeds (supplier and photos)
• Narrow chute and ribbed grip (photos)
• About 12 cm long, 19 g (supplier)

Seeds, soil and trays in the photos are not included.

Materials and build: light plastic

The supplier lists green and transparent plastic. At 19 g you barely feel it in your hand, even on a long row. The supplier also calls it maintenance-free. There are no moving parts apart from the lid, which turns.

Size and settings

The supplier gives about 12 cm long and 6 cm wide; the label in the photos says 6.5 cm across and 1.5 cm high. It fits in a jacket pocket or a seed box.

The five settings are for different seed sizes, from fine to larger. The supplier does not list which seed fits which setting, so start small and turn up until the seeds come out one at a time. Very fine seed, like carrot, can still come out in twos; that is normal for any seed sower.

How to use it

Fill the container, choose the setting, and hold the sower low over the soil. Tap the chute gently with your index finger as you move along the row, as the photos show. Over a seed tray you can drop one or two seeds per cell, which saves thinning out later.

Occasions

Spring sowing, and autumn too, when you sow spinach or winter salad. It fits in a Sinterklaas shoe for the gardener in the family.

Care

The supplier gives no care instructions and calls it maintenance-free. As general practice, empty it after use, tap out any dust and let it dry if it gets damp, so seeds don't stick inside next time.

The wow detail: you can see every seed

The clear lid sounds like a small thing. In practice it means you know when you are running low before the row runs out, and you can see whether the setting lets one seed through or a crowd.

A garden that gives back

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. The causes are matched to 11 of the 17 SDGs, the global goals set by the United Nations, and you decide where your share goes.

Our promise

Ships from our partner warehouse in China. Usually 8–15 business days to your door, with tracking. Delivery is free within the EU on orders from €69; below that it costs €4.95 in the Netherlands and €6.95 elsewhere in the EU.

You have 30 days after delivery to ask for a return, as long as it is unused and in its original packaging. Our promise is plain: if what arrives does not match what this page says, send it back within 30 days and we refund you.

More for the garden is in our garden and outdoors collection.