Crossword Genius

Minor scoop for the nursery? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trowel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'nursery?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'minor scoop for the' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rowel' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for trowel that I've seen before include "Spreading implement" , "Small spade" , "Hand tool for plasterers or gardeners" , "Small garden hand-tool" , "Scoop-shaped tool with short handle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Guardian.
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