Bulbs: Has anyone found a bulb-planting tool that really works?, 0 by LeawoodGardener

LeawoodGardener wrote:
Hi Ruth!

From my decades of experience (LOL), I have decided bulb 'planters' are a waste of money. I've bought and discarded various tools because they just do not work (for me).

If I'm going to plant a 'clump' of bulbs (25, 50 or even a whole bed of 100-200) I use a shovel to take out the soil to the desired depth (placing the soil on a tarp or large piece of cardboard), place the bulbs as desired (if you are using two or three different varieties, you can space them appropriately) and fill the hole with the soil you have set aside. This way you can plant all of the bulbs at the exact same depth and get uniform spacing.

If I'm planting individual bulbs (around perennials, etc.) I use a hand trowel (or sharp-shooter shovel) to get the precise placement I desire without disturbing the neighboring plants.

For very large beds (this bed contains 1,000 bulbs), I prepare the soil by spading it (by hand - I'd use a rototiller if I had one), then place the bulbs on the surface, where I want them (spacing 1,000 bulbs can be challenging, if you want them evenly dispersed). I then use a hand trowel and plant them one bulb at a time, being careful to dig each hole to the same depth (as close as possible). It sounds like a lot of work, but the rewards the following spring make it well worth my time.