drill for bulbs?

I was asked the other day if I used a drill for my bulbs.
Question, So is there a attachment you can buy and use on a drill to plant with
or is it a waste of money?
Thanks

This message was edited Sep 20, 2007 11:17 AM

There is indeed such an attachment, and I think how well it works depends on your soil. My FIL uses one in sandy loam, mostly in previously worked beds, and he loves it. I foolishly thought I could use it to plant bulbs in my lawn, in the clay the builder left us -- hahahahaha, no way. Maybe my drill lacked torque, but I wouldn't suggest the bulb auger for use in hard, clay, or rocky soils.

Well, I maybe sorry, but I ordered one yesterday...the offer was free shipping so I thought I'd try it...
Thanks

I'm sure you'll find places where it's useful, even if it's just to add bulbs between perennials in cultivated areas. And if your drill is more powerful than mine, then you may be able to use it all over the place. Let me know how it works out for you!

Where did you order it from, want2bee?

They are also available in the hardware stores here and work very well. Just be sure that you have a heavy duty drill. We have some pretty hard soil in places here and the bulb planter goes through it just fine if the drill is strong enough.

I found that mine doesn't work very well with a cordless drill. I don't think there's enough power from the battery. If I use an electric drill it works much better, but I have to drag the cord all over the yard.

I've had similar experiences with cordless, Joan, they just can't go the distance with hard stuff.

Hmm, maybe I need to give mine another shot with a corded drill.

This fall, I've got bulbs that I'm planning to plant in groups of 5, or maybe more like 15 at a time... so I thought I'd use my new Mantis mini tiller to dig holes. :-)

4paws I ordered it from Dutch Gardens...free shipping

Have to check it out - always like free shipping..dutchgardens.com? I'm off...

now, now... be good.... LOL

Dutch Gardens often has a $ off coupon offer of some sort also.... but I don't know if they're running one at present.

lol
455 bulbs, critter.
Someone I know must have one. Anyway, I couldn't find it on the site.
Actually, I've got this concrete drill, weighs a ton, it could work.
I've got easy soil - I think one of those iron rods will work too, and I won't have to bend so much, just use it like awalking stick.

I ordered mine from Florian Tools http://www.floriantools.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=florian&Product_Code=312&Category_Code=garden_tool_bulb_planter

wow-that's a fancy number; don't think my drill is 3/8.

it's called a BULB BOPPER. if you type that in it will also bring it up..
but here's this

http://www.dutchgardens.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DutchGardens-Site/default/ViewSimpleSearch2-Start

Let me know...

This message was edited Sep 22, 2007 8:16 PM
1 Bulb Bopper $29.95

Item #
31597S

This message was edited Sep 22, 2007 8:19 PM

did you find it, 4paws?

This reminds me... I saw one of these advertised on TV the other night. In addition to planting bulbs "in a jiffy" (in what seemed to be a bed filled with ground mulch and compost), it came with attachments for weeding, cultivating, maybe even edging, plus an extender to make the job even easier, plus a smaller attachment for mixing paint (oh, and the bulb planter could also be used to mix concrete, I think)... As a Special Bonus, it even came with a Free Drill! I'm sure the entire package was "worth" over $200, and yet it could Be Yours Today for the Special Low Price of (I believe) $19.95 (plus an unspecified amount for S/H).

But Wait, There's More! I'm sure I'm forgetting one or more special features or bonus items... LOL, I'm guessing that if you called that number, they might even offer to throw in the Brooklyn Bridge.

lol
operators standing by wouldn't have that authority...but wait! There is a supervisor available to make you a special deal, just for you, right now! WOW!


oppsss....got me started


The booper is being shown in the same type of soil as your ad, 100 bulbs/hour up to 9" deep for a LIFETIME (who's?)
http://www.dutchgardens.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-DutchGardens-Site/default/ViewSimpleSearch2-Start

:-)

Colorblends has bulb auger 3" diameter, 24 inches long, 5/8" shaft for 1/2 inch drill -ad recommends corded or portable gas variable speed hammer drill.Costs $37.

Jung Quality Seeds has 2 advertised that supposed to fit any 3/8" or 1/2" cordless or electric drill. Directions say push lightly into soil 2-3 inches at a time until desired depth reached: One is 2 3/4" diameter, drills holes up to 8" deep, 24" shaft $19.95. Other one is 3 3/4 diameter, suppose to drill same depth and same size shaft for $24.95.

Tempted to purchase one too. Interested in feedback posted and any more input from others who have tried them.

This is interesting:

http://davesgarden.com/products/gp/view/6/

"hammer drill"

that sounds like it might be the key.... those are the percussion drills like the ones that are used for masonry work, right?

This wikipedia description likens the hammer drill action to that of a jackhammer... Now that might get through my sod! LOL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer_drill

We used one of those new augers that looks like a big drill that attaches to the power drill this past weekend. It got through the heavy clay okay, but it does throw the soil around pretty badly, like up to two feet away. I put my hands close around it to try to keep the dirt together. Worked pretty well.

Edited to clarify that Handsome Man ran the drill, while I stayed on the ground and cupped my hands close to the auger.

This message was edited Oct 10, 2007 7:52 AM

Ahh... So now, not only do I need a more powerful drill, I also need to borrow Handsome Man. LOL!

...My DH is wonderful about many things, but he's a very reluctant gardener. :-)

It's definitely a two-person gig if you use the drill type. I can only imagine how far it would throw sandy soil!

Handsome Man is no gardener either. He does like power tools though, so come bulb-planting or tilling time, I'm in business. ;-)

81302
Central, WI
I have the same colorblends. The 1/2" hex doesn't give the slippage that a 1/2 " round would. We have tree roots and an occasional stone, sometimes I wish for more power.

stihl makes a power auger. I've tried drill augers, tractor augers, big handheld augers, handheld bulb planter, step-on bulb planter. I finally broke down and bought the big honda tiller. I love it. I impulsively bought 210 tulip bulbs today while buying grass seed. I planted them all in about an hour. I till a path and till over about 4 times. Then i hoe back all the soil, sit bulbs down and hoe dirt over them and sow some grass seed over the top.
I will be getting my bulb order tommorrow and tues. from john scheepers. I have 3,000 to do. Last year I done about 1800 bulbs that way. If i didn't have so many to do though i think i would just use a shovel. easier than the other methods.

For my hard clay ground (mostly for planting the crocus in my lawn) I use one of those weeder tools and a hammer. The tool looks like a mettle snake tongue with a fork on the end. I hope you know what I mean (smile). Anyway, I use the hammer to drive that in about 4in and then work it around in a circle to make a bigger whole. My father gave me a bulb tool to borrow that I liked, but it was still too hard to use in the hard clay. Here's a picture of the tool my dad has that I really like and what I've been using.

I've seen the others and I'm just worried it would be to hard to use in those tight areas around my existing perennials without tearing them up.

I am fortunate enough to finally own property that isn't all blue clay. (Gods concrete) So when the DH isn't looking, I borrow his small manual ice auger. (About 3" hole) He never uses it anyway, but lets just keep it between us. ; )

Well, I thought I'd give you my thoughts on the one I bought....
You were right, it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My cordless drill doesn't have enough power to make it go around more than three times before it just can't take it anymore... so my advice...don't waste your money!!!

Well, after much waiting, and a bogey bulb auger shipped out to some lucky sod in Colorado, I finally got my bulb auger from HCG. I had to wait for the rain to stop and the ground to dry out a bit, but today I hauled out hubby's heavy duty drill, a long extention cord, and the huge box of bulbs I so foolishly indulged in (what was I thinking ordering this many???? what is the sickness called? New-Bulb-Gardeneritis?) . I live in deep woods , and my soil is sandy/ loamy-- perfect for bulbs, right?
Anyway, I decided that the Persian Blue Globe Alliums would look perfect under the trees (full sun in spring.. hehehe) so I chucked in the auger and hit the trigger on the drill--------
and was sucked down HARD into the ground, wrenching both shoulders and bruising my knuckles on a rock.
I have a short auger, and I was holding onto the side-handle of this drill. NOOOO problems breaking ground with this auger!
Just then Hubby stepped out and asked how I was doing. I convinced him to help me plant the rest of the alliums *grin* I practiced and got better at controlling his mega-drill.

The soil is still pretty moist. Does this mean I can skip watering them in? iIs going to rain again on monday, sayeth the weathermen.....

Sounds like success depends less on the auger and more on how powerful your drill is (my cordless one didn't cut it either) and on what kind of soil you have (it's pretty tough going to get through my clay).

Rowan_linnea, I laughed soooo hard! I had a perfect visual of your first experience. I knew if I looked on the bulb forum I'd find the answer. I've been thinking about how I'm going to plant all these bulbs I ordered (think in bushels) without killing my back. The soil's pretty easy here. Now, what's HCG (besides the test for pregnancy/menopause)? I'm really into the right tool for the job and finding the best source for that tool, so any help would be appreciated. The HoundDog site was helpful (thank you McGlory) and I'm interested in this mysterious "HCG." I know I'm going to feel stupid when I find out it's some big box store that I should know. I've got a huge extension cord and not afraid to use it so my drill should be fine for whatever.

Auger Update: The Auger is now toast. Yes, it was made of pot-metal tacked onto a pot-metal post, and lightly chromed, but one would think that for $26 , it would last more than one season. Maybe it would, had not my dear hubby run away to his shop with it ...
My dear, sweet, mad hubby is an overzealous machinist, who *has* to "improve" things like bulb augers. He ground the post end square, so the drill wouldnt keep slipping around on it. the metal --twisted--. He promptly decried the auger as being a "piece of junk" and told me that he would buy me a "real steel auger". When that will be, I have no clue. Maybe next autumn. *rolls eyes*
I still have 50 daffies to plant. It is November in zone 3b. I hope this variety is plenty hardy.....

Sorry about the abbrieviation.. I should know better. HCG stands for High Country Gardens.

Welp, sounds like I don't want the one from HCG then, doesn't it? I'm on a mission this week to get one but I just don't know which one. I'm into spending more money for high quality if need be. I'm just not finding any feedback out there for any of the bulb augers. Thanks for yours at least. I'll see which one they carried and make sure not to buy that one.

These look well made. They recommend the 23" by 2.75" OD (outside diameter) model for planting bulbs. $26 + shipping.
But there's a three inch model with a carbide bit for $70, for planting small trees. It would probably last forever.

http://www.gardenauger.com/

There's a review in the garden watchdog:

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

Thank you so much claypa. They even do PayPal, making it so easy. I opted for the 36" 2.75, only because the 23" is that angle that my back hates the worst. I really liked their blurb in their eBay store. Sounds like something my stepdad Reuben would have created in his workshop and looks like the quality materials he would have insisted upon:

"About Our Augers

My dad was a revolutionary in the street-sweeping business and has a keen way of “working outside the box”. The results are extraordinary accomplishments: a booming broom business that began in a chicken coop, a dozen patents to his name and achieving “celebrity status” in an industry most people never even think about.

Now his retirement (I use that term loosely) is still spent in The Shop. He does machine work for the farmers (and sometimes the Street Dept.), piddles on projects like the “Old-Timer’s Accurate Rain Gauge/Weathervane” and the “E-Z Hearing Aid Battery Installer,” and most importantly, manufactures garden augers."

So, it should be on its way soon and I'll get back with you all about how well it works with my 18 volt drill and how many times I get thrown on my butt from a root/rock, lol. BTW, their eBay bulb store has some great prices and unusual stuff too.

I bought a small bulb auger and would not necessarily suggest this. I planted close to 300 bulbs and found that it didn't work that well, esp. as my drill was not that strong. This did work very well for my Scilla bulbs since they were small. However, John Scheepers sent really big narcissus bulbs with daughter bulbs already, so most of my auger holes were not big enough. For a number of things, I ended up shoveling off the first few inches of dirt with a big shovel, then just digging in with a trowel to get the bulbs to 6" deep. The crowning insult was that somewhere in the dirt, I lost the small, dark chuck key and now the @)#(@#)( auger is stuck there till I pick up a new one from the hardware store! Oh well - all planted and all I can say is that they had better sprout in the spring!

When you say small, how small? What was it made of and what size drill did you use? I've already paid for mine but I'm still interested in different peoples' experiences.

This was about a 2" diameter drill, several inches long. I have a relatively small cordless drill but the problem was not the strength of the drill but the fact that the hole is never as big as the auger, and when you drill the hole the loose dirt falls back into it a bit. So, since my bulbs were mostly daffocils and quite large, this ended up not being such a great idea. I would think that if I planted crocuses, for example, it might work quite nicely.