What do you use to plant YOUR bulbs?

Okay, calmy I will say this.

I am tired of purchasing nonsense toys and tools to plant bulbs.
From bulb planters on a stick (made from wimpy metal that rusts
and bends) to hand held bulb planters that just don't cut it to
nifty spiral cone shaped things that attach to a drill motor and
more. None of them last.

The most recent was a twister shaped thing that fits into a drill.
It lasted for about sixty holes in soft dirt and then bit the bullet,
snapping off at the base of the post. It is made of plastic and
therefore now trash. The idea itself was MARVELOUS, but why
plastic? Why can't they make one of something sturdy that will
last longer?

Paddle bits. They are great for smaller bulbs, but I searched for
a 2" paddle bit all over town to no avail. I have an entire bucket
of bulbs to plant and I'll be darned if I'm going to get on my hands
and knees with a bulb planter, trowel, etc. No, I'm not lazy. I just
have too much to do to spend all day making holes. A paddle
bit is a dream machine, but the biggest one we can find is 1 1/2",
which is too small a hole for the big tulip bulbs.

I guess I just don't understand it. One can buy any kind of tool in
the world for other things, why hasn't someone come up with a heavy
duty ain't-gonna-wimp-out tool for planting bulbs? Power. I need
power. Cordless power to drill holes.

Certainly there are wise men out there with the capability to come
up with a worthwhile bulb planter. Come forward with your ideas, get
that sucker patented and make some money! LOL

Frustrated with cheap ideas,
Karen Marie

http://gardenauger.com/ sells garden augers. I bought one a couple years thinking I would plant bulbs much sooner than I did. Well, when I finally purchased bulbs last year (and I bought a LOT), I used a shovel and dug out large sections at a time to plant. The auger looks great although I have yet to try it, and hubby say it's definitely a sturdy piece that will come in handy. Check it out and see what you think. Oh yeah, the customer service of this seller is nothing short of excellent ~ very attentive, fast friendly communication, and safe secure packing.

We've been chatting about bulb augers for planting our co-op lilies... I have one (metal) that I'm not pleased with for anything but loose soil (where I hardly need it, but I'm told the problem is trying to power it with my cordless drill, that a corded drill or maybe even a masonry drill (with the percussive action) is what I need.

This was a chatty thread, but scroll down to March 8 & 9, and you'll see the discussion we had.

I've got a pointy triangular digging tool with a nice long 18 inch handle that I've planted hundreds of bulbs with, including bigger ones... it goes pretty quickly, since it really bites down into sod and clay.

If you're willing to plant in big clumps, an ordinary shovel can work really well... make a nice big hole, maybe 18 inches across, drop in whatever number of bulbs seems appropriate (3 daffs only, if going for a naturalized effect, according to Illoquin's recent post in cottage gardens)... added bonus is that you've created a nice little amended spot for your bulbs to grow and increase.

oops, forgot to post the link to the lily co-op discussion thread, http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/699581/#new

Now THAT is what I'm talking about! Many thanks!

Off to read more of the link, thanks a million tulip bulbs!

KM

The Garden Auger recommends a 1/2" 18 volt drill to use with their augers: http://gardenauger.com/06garden_augers.html

Our cordless drill is too weak for our auger ~ we need something bigger and stronger (a good reason to go shopping!).

This is great! I love the Garden Auger and am thinking about the 2.75 x 24
auger.

Each year before Christmas, a local store sells all of their bulbs, ALL of their
bulbs, for one dollar a bag. Not one to pass up such a sale, I always buy a ton
of them, but find myself running out of time to get them in. They have been stored
cold, but by golly, some I planted just two weeks ago are already well on their way.

This is great, thank you all for the information.

KM

I've tried and broken most bulb planters. An auger just sticks in our soil and won't turn.

On Brent and Becky's Bulb's there are three tools I love. For planting in clay soil, there is a heavy duty tool for unprepared soil. It has a flat blade that you step on and shove into the ground and use the handle to turn and make a hole. I've not tried the one that has a cup on the end.

http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/summer/productview/?sku=48-0110

The other tool I use in raised beds is their 12" stainless steel trowel. It is great for bulbs and for planting perrenials and annuals as well. I also have the 9" version.

http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/summer/productview/?sku=48-0125

Last is their cobrahead weeder that I use for small bulbs, weeds and breaking up the clay as well as loosening roots on things I've dug up or am transplanting.

http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/summer/productview/?sku=48-0135

I live close enough to drive there, not sure what the shipping would be on the big digger, it is pretty heavy.

Laura

wuvie, glad to help! If you have any questions about the auger, be sure to contact the seller and ask. They also sell on eBay, although I dont' know if the pricing is any better or the same. I believe their web site has a link to their eBay auctions.

WOW, what a super deal on bulbs ~ happy planting!!!

FYI: I requested The Garden Auger be added to the Garden Watchdog, which Terry added: http://davesgarden.com/gwd/c/6027/

I use a hand trowel or shovel.

Tom

I use a shovel or my hori hori (japanese grubbing knife).

Tam

For my clay soil I use my DH early in the morning while he's still strong. Stuffing him full of bacon, eggs, and coffee first does wonders for his energy level.

McGlory, ROFL! I think you've discovered the most ideal method!! ;-) Fortunately for my DH (but unfortunately for me when it's time to plant), he travels extensively for his job...so, he's usually unavailable when planting time arrives.

Alas, I have ordered a Garden Auger and it has arrived!

Stay tuned for details!

http://davesgarden.com/gwd/c/6027/

Far out wuvie ~ can't wait to hear how it performs for you!!

Good luck! I'm going to have to check that out too. Hubby's back may give out one day...

I purchased a bulb planter from OSCO - the kitchen tool company that has pretty good ergonomic design.

Alrighty, folks, here is an update on
my feedback for the Garden Auger I bought
from http://www.gardenauger.com/

I was able to borrow hubby's 1/2" drill for the
purpose of planting numerous tulip bulbs. A heavy
duty extension cord and I was all set. A battery
operated drill would not cut the mustard very long.

First of all, I love this thing. The world would likely
have many more tulips planted if everyone had access
to this nifty thing. You want your bulbs at a certain depth
easy, quickly and without getting on your hands and knees?
This is the tool for you.

It drills the ground with ease, leaving a little pile of
tilled soil that you can just push right back into the hole
after you drop in your tulip bulb. I walked along dropping
bulbs in while standing, and in fact, could have used a small
child's rake to put the soil back into the hole.

I planted 209 big tulip bulbs in no time flat, but I didn't
time myself, nor did I hurry or slack. I can't stop bragging
about it, but you know the 'buts' are coming.

The tool itself is by far high quality, well made. I don't
have any issues with it. However, I have to stress what
they say on their website.

1. You are using a power tool. Don't forget that.
All safety precautions still apply. Don't get caught up
in thinking about flowers and forget to be safe.

2. Be careful of power lines, buried cables, etc.
And roots. Let me stress roots. While planting the 209 bulbs,
I hit four roots. The first time it happened, my reaction was
to let go of the tool, which is smart, but wasn't planned. Then
carefully put it in reverse, pulled it out, and moved to another hole.

As I have had power tool accidents previously, I am very cautious.
Don't let my post scare you out of this item, it's just that I am
a big scaredy cat.

3. If you hear / feel a hard knock, assume it is a rock or otherwise,
get out of the hole, and move on.

4. If the drill is not moving along at the same pace in a new hole
as the others, you may have hit clay soil. Do not push the auger in
or force it to drill. Let the tool do the work. If it isn't moving, there is
a reason. Be safe and move along to another hole.

5. And most important, make sure you are in forward motion. LOL.
I started out in reverse, not knowing. It didn't take long, but I felt
like an idiot.

6. Works best in weeded areas. If you try to just stick it in the middle
of a wad of weeds, they are only going to wrap around the auger.
Not the auger's fault.

Other than that, I finished up quickly, washed off and dried my new
found favorite garden tool and can't wait to use it again.

I know it is late to plant tulips, but I bought them before Christmas
and they were trying to grow in the packages. Those I planted last
week are already up and at 'em, and will be blooming soon. If my
camera cooperates come bloom time, I'll post a pic!

I give the Garden Auger a big two green thumbs up!

:-) Karen Marie