Bulb Planting Made Easy!
It’s time to get your “driveway plant nursery” and fall bulbs into the ground! Bulb planting is so much easier if you invest in a plant auger that attaches to a cordless drill. The auger has a rotating screw blade that cuts through soil and lifts it up and out of the hole. It’s simple to make holes between closely planted perennials, since you don’t have to dig a full shovel’s width of dirt.
Plant augers come in a variety of dimensions (lengths and widths) depending on what you are planting, i.e. bulbs or landscape plants. Longer drill bits, with a length of 30” or more you will allow the gardener to stand up while making holes. The 3”- 4″ wide auger is more than wide enough to dig holes for bulb planting.
It is recommended that you use a cordless drill with your auger. Read the manual before beginning your project! For more stability when drilling, attach a separate side handle. Run the drill on low speed (# 1) and the lowest torque speed (# 1). Never put the drill on the “drill” setting! Install the bit with the battery out for safety. Attach the auger bit and make sure the drill is in the forward direction.
Hold the drill with two hands. As you work, don't dig too deeply at once. Raise the torque speed until drilling the hole is efficient and comfortable for your arm strength. Lift the auger up and down as you drill. If it jams, for example when tangled in roots, you just reverse the direction. If the drill is not on the right setting or if it jams, it has the possibility of twisting your wrist. The side handle lowers the chance of this happening. So, proceed slowly until you get the hang of it.
One source of plant augers is Power Planter: https://powerplanter.com/drills-and-augers/gardening-augers/. The Laura Edition 3” x 36” comes highly recommended.
My auger has absolutely changed bulb planting for me! I also use it for small perennial and annual starts. Give it a try!
Plant augers come in a variety of dimensions (lengths and widths) depending on what you are planting, i.e. bulbs or landscape plants. Longer drill bits, with a length of 30” or more you will allow the gardener to stand up while making holes. The 3”- 4″ wide auger is more than wide enough to dig holes for bulb planting.
It is recommended that you use a cordless drill with your auger. Read the manual before beginning your project! For more stability when drilling, attach a separate side handle. Run the drill on low speed (# 1) and the lowest torque speed (# 1). Never put the drill on the “drill” setting! Install the bit with the battery out for safety. Attach the auger bit and make sure the drill is in the forward direction.
Hold the drill with two hands. As you work, don't dig too deeply at once. Raise the torque speed until drilling the hole is efficient and comfortable for your arm strength. Lift the auger up and down as you drill. If it jams, for example when tangled in roots, you just reverse the direction. If the drill is not on the right setting or if it jams, it has the possibility of twisting your wrist. The side handle lowers the chance of this happening. So, proceed slowly until you get the hang of it.
One source of plant augers is Power Planter: https://powerplanter.com/drills-and-augers/gardening-augers/. The Laura Edition 3” x 36” comes highly recommended.
My auger has absolutely changed bulb planting for me! I also use it for small perennial and annual starts. Give it a try!
For a short video demonstration see:plant_auger.mov
“If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.”
~ Robert Brault
~ Robert Brault
