Stephen Albert
Vegetable seed for home gardens is often sold by weight–by the ounce or by the gram or by fractions of ounces and grams.
Some seed sellers sell by the piece–1 seed per penny, for example. But seeds sold in packets–especially those sold in stores–commonly list the weight, but not the number of seeds.
When buying seed by weight, keep in mind:
• The weight of a number of seeds for a specific vegetable crop can vary by variety or cultivar.
• One ounce equals 28 grams.
Estimated number of vegetable seeds by ounce or gram:
Here are estimates of the number of seeds in an ounce or gram by crop. These estimates are based on a survey of several seed sellers. (These are estimates. To be certain the number of seed in a seed packet sold by weight, count the seed.)
| Vegetable | Seeds per Ounce | Seeds per Gram |
| Artichoke | 200 | 7-8 |
| Arugula | 14,200 | 500 |
| Asparagus | 680-1400 | 24-50 |
| Basil | 1700-18,400 | 600-650 |
| Bean, Broad | 25-30 | 1 |
| Bean, Bush | 50-280 | 2-10 |
| Bean, Pole | 25-30 | 1 |
| Beets | 1134-1700 | 40-60 |
| Broccoli | 9000 | 315 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 7600 | 270 |
| Cabbage, Chinese | 11,350-34,000 | 400-750 |
| Cabbage | 2800-10,300 | 190-300 |
| Carrot | 11,300-34,000 | 400-1200 |
| Cauliflower | 7100-9900 | 250-350 |
| Celery | 56,700-70,900 | 2000-2500 |
| Chard | 1100-3700 | 40-130 |
| Chicory | 5700-25,500 | 600-900 |
| Chives, Onion | 5700-7000 | 200-250 |
| Chives, Garlic | 7000 | 250 |
| Coriander | 2000-2500 | 70-90 |
| Corn | 225-290 | 8-10 |
| Corn Salad | 1980-18,350 | 700-1000 |
| Cowpea | 205 | 7 |
| Cucumber | 850-1200 | 30-45 |
| Dill | 25,000 | 900 |
| Eggplant | 5700-7100 | 200-250 |
| Endive | 25,500 | 900 |
| Fennel | 8500 | 300 |
| Gourd | 850 | 30 |
| Jicama | 140 | 5 |
| Kale | 7100-8500 | 250-300 |
| Kohlrabi | 7100 | 250 |
| Leek | 9500-11,200 | 340-400 |
| Lettuce | 17,000-34,000 | 600-1200 |
| Marjoram | 340,200 | 12,000 |
| Mitsuba | 14,200 | 500 |
| Mizuna | 8500-11,400 | 300-400 |
| Mustard | 9900-17,000 | 350-600 |
| Nasturium | 200 | 7-8 |
| Okra | 425-700 | 15-25 |
| Onion | 7000-11,300 | 250-400 |
| Oregano | 24,500 | |
| Parsley | 1400-1700 | 500-600 |
| Parsnip | 4000-5700 | 140-200 |
| Pea | 90-175 | 4-5 |
| Pepper | 4200-5700 | 150-200 |
| Pumpkin | 100-300 | 8-15 |
| Radish | 2500-4000 | 90-140 |
| Rhubarb | 1700-2300 | 60-80 |
| Rosemary | 25,500 | 900 |
| Sage | 7100 | 250 |
| Spinach | 2000-2300 | 70-80 |
| Squash | 200-425 | 7-15 |
| Sunflower | 280-570 | 10-20 |
| Thyme | 17,000 | 6000 |
| Tomato | 7000-11,500 | 250-380 |
| Turnip | 8500-12,800 | 300-450 |
| Watermelon | 170-560 | 6-20 |
| Zucchini | 55-280 | 2-10 |
Great information thanks
This table is great for online seed shops like us, as well as our customers.
Thanks!
Very insightful. Very much appreciative of the information put afore.
Thanks very much.
Very very Thanks for informations.
Happy to have the data, but I am very concerned about the cowpea value. Other sources, such as Purdue, give a value of 3000-4000 seeds/lb, which is about 250 per oz, not 1420. 50 cowpeas in a gram is not accurate. Do you mind providing your source for these data? I am applying for a grant, and I appreciate your format, but I would like to be able to reference your original source, unless you collected it yourself. Thank you!
Hi, Thanks for the information .
How many seeds of Tomatoes,Cumbers and lettuce will be need for a 50m² garden.
The seeds you will need will depend on how many of each plant you want to grow and whether you plan to plant plants in single rows or wide rows. Read the “How to Grow” articles at this site on each crop you want to grow; each article will give you recommended spacing.