Gardening Tools For Planting Bulbs

If you buy an item via links on this page, we may earn a commission. Our editorial content is not influenced by commissions. Read the full disclosure.

When spring arrives, it is bulb planting time. If you love planting tulips, daffodils, fruit, or vegetables, a bulb planter is the perfect gardening tool for you. This powerful tool is very easy to use and makes any horticultural job faster and easier.

A bulb planter will dramatically increase your planting efficiency when planting bulbs, potted plants, vegetables, flowers, or pulling up soil plugs in your lawn. Forget about back-breaking work. This smart gardening companion does all the hard work for you so you can effortlessly create the right-sized hole for your plants.

Once the bulb planter has removed a soil plug, and your bulbs have been safely ensconced in the fertile soil, you can feed your bulbs and seedlings with nutrient-rich plant food. Your flowers or vegetables are now ready to sprout and bloom to their full potential.

The 8 Best Bulb Planters

Edward Tools Bulb Planter
Yard Butler Bulb and Garden Planter
ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn and Garden Tool Bulb Planter (Our Top Pick)
TCBWFY Auger Drill Bit Bulb Planter
Power Planter Bulb and Bedding Plant Auger
Berry&Bird Bulb Planter
SYITCUN Auger Drill Bulb Planter
Esschert Design Dibber/Bulb Planter

Our Top Pick for the Best Bulb Planter

Our top pick for the best bulb planter is the ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn and Garden Tool Bulb Planter.

If you have a passion for gardening and keeping your lawn spick and span, we highly recommend the ProPlugger 5-in-1 Bulb Planter for all your gardening needs.

One of the highest-rated bulb planters in the industry, the ProPlugger will set you up for gardening success. Built with solid construction and a smart back-saving design, the ProPlugger is ready to fulfill any bulb planting or soil plugging task. In just 3 easy steps: Step, Twist, and Pour, your bulbs will be ready to plant. A must-have tool for any homestead, the ProPlugger will help you to quickly create the garden and lawn of your dreams.

Check the price on Amazon

How to Choose the Best Bulb Planter

Types of Bulb Planters

Bulb planters come in 3 main types: a short-handled, a long-handled, and an auger drill bit bulb planter.

– Short-handled Bulb Planters

A short-handled planter is ideal for light-duty gardening tasks, in a raised garden bed, a planter, or for greenhouse plants. This type of planter does require getting down on your knees in a normal garden bed which makes it a perfect match for a garden kneeler. If you have problems with your knees or mobility, rather invest in a long-handled planter.

– Long-handled Bulb Planter

A long-handled bulb planter, such as the ProPlugger, has a long T-shaped handle, a sturdy and sharp circular steel shaft, and a footrest. These types of bulb planters are ideal for medium to heavy-duty gardening tasks. One of the main reasons why a long-handled planter is so popular is because you can use it standing up. Any painful or dangerous back strain will be eliminated.

This amazing tool is especially useful if you need to plant a lot of bulbs in one go. Just place the planter over the ground. Press down with your foot on the footrest until the planter has dug into the ground usually around 4-6-inches deep. Twist the handle and lift the soil plug. As the soil gets stored inside the planter, you can move on to another hole. When the planter is full, turn it upside down and the soil plugs fall out.

– Auger Power Drill Bulb Planter

An auger power drill planter is extremely fast at making holes in the ground. It uses a similar spiraling action like a post-hole digger, which makes it very efficient at creating lots of larger-sized holes up to 9-inches deep.

All you have to do is connect the auger blade to an electric or cordless power drill and the sharp blade will spiral into the ground. Perfectly designed for heavy-duty tasks, any bulb planting job will be done at the press of a button.

One of the excellent features of an auger power drill bulb planter is that it can be used for a wide variety of gardening and household jobs such as creating fence posts, tilling the soil, mixing seeds or fertilizer. You can use it to create a hole for your umbrella in the garden or at the beach, or even take the auger blade away on an ice-fishing trip.

Construction

Whatever type of planter you choose, the shaft or blade should be made out of strong, sturdy, and durable steel that provides you with many years of happy planting. Weather-resistant steel that is coated with chrome or zinc or has a powder coating protects the blade or drill bit from rust.

Ruler Guide

A lot of planters such as the Edward Tools Bulb Planter have a convenient ruler guide that is engraved on the side, which allows you to measure the perfect planting depth every time.

8 Best Bulb Planters – Reviews

1. Edward Tools Bulb Planter

The Edward Tools Bulb Planter is a great bulb planting tool for planting tulips, daffodils, and other flower bulbs.

Made from reinforced chrome-plated steel, the short-handled planter has a sturdy solid steel frame that stops the tool from bending. Its serrated edge penetrates deep into the soil and ensures quicker digging in heavier soils.

A comfortable ergonomic black plastic handle has an adjustable soil release mechanism that allows for the effortless release of a soil plug.

You will be able to get a consistent precise depth every time as it has a depth marker from 1-4-inches.

Edward Tools offer a lifetime warranty on the bulb planter.

Pros

High quality
Great value for money
Very affordable price
Ideal for planting tulips, daffodils, and other flower bulbs
Reinforced chrome-plated steel
Sturdy solid steel frame stops the tool from bending
Serrated edge penetrates deep into the soil and ensures quicker digging in harder soil
Comfortable ergonomic handle has an adjustable soil-release mechanism that allows for effortless release of a soil plug
Depth marker from 1-4-inches provides more consistent and precise planting depths
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Does not provide enough leverage for a 6-inch bulb planting
May not hold fine soil very well

Check the price on Amazon

2. Yard Butler Bulb and Garden Planter

Save the strain on your back with the Yard Butler Bulb and Garden Planter.

The long-handled 37-inch tall bulb planter has a durable, sturdy powder-coated steel frame that is built to last. Designed with an easy twisting action, the bulb planter makes it so simple and quick to create a perfect 6-inch deep and 3-inch wide hole for all types of bulbs and bedding plants like tulips, crocus, dahlias, gladiolus, and lilies.

Ideal for people with weak backs or seniors, the lightweight tool has a long handle that prevents excessive bending and you can plant your bulbs standing up.

All you have to do is position the planter where you want to plant your bulbs. Step down on the side foot bar to push the planter's sharp edge into the soil and easily twist to cut a hole to your desired depth. Pull up the planter and tap to remove the soil core. Drop in your seeds, bulbs, or plants and replace the soil. For best results, wet the soil before planting.

Yard Butler offers a 30-day full refund or replacement guarantee.

Pros

High quality
Great value for money
Very affordable price
Sturdy, durable powder-coated steel frame is built to last
Simple operation
Easy twisting action
Long handle prevents excessive bending and planting can be done standing up
Makes a perfect hole for bulbs and bedding plants
Quickly creates a 6-inch deep and 3-inch wide hole
Ideal for all types of bulbs and bedding plants like tulips, crocus, dahlias, gladiolus, and lilies
Lightweight
30-day full refund or replacement

Cons

Can be hard to create a 6-inch hole in dense soil
Not ideal for use in hard, rocky soil

Check the price on Amazon

3. ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn and Garden Tool Bulb Planter

An extremely multifunctional tool, the ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn and Garden Tool Bulb Planter is an excellent choice for any gardening enthusiast.

Uses include:

Used for planting spring and fall bulbs
A lawn sod plugger for planting and transplanting creeping-type grass (Not Recommended for St. Augustine Grass)
A weeder for deep taproot weeds like wild onions, thistles, and dandelions
A planting tool for annuals, ground covers, vegetables, and plants sold in trays
A soil sampler tool for soil testing
It also makes a great drip edge fertilizing tool for your fruit trees

Made in the US, the sturdy durable all welded carbon steel frame has a powder-coated finish so it is ideal for rough outdoor conditions.

The ProPlugger will help you to plant like a professional gardener and is especially useful for making a lot of holes with a consistent size up to 2, 4, or 6-inches deep and 2-1/8-inches wide. As the tool has depth rings, you will achieve the right depth every time.

Simple to use, hold the comfortable padded T-shaped handle to twist and pull out the soil. Once the soil is stored in the tool, you can empty it by turning the planter upside down. You are now ready to move on to the next hole or plant your bulbs. For best results, avoid digging in dry or overly saturated soil.

Perfect for seniors, gardeners with mild arthritis, or anybody who wants to save on back strain, the ProPlugger will tackle tough tasks while you stand up.

ProPlugger offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty on the planter.

Pros

High quality
Excellent value for money
Good price
Helps you to plant like a professional
Long-handle is especially well suited for seniors, people with arthritis or back problems
Made in the US
Sturdy durable all-welded powder-coated carbon steel frame
Multifunctional 5-in-1 gardening and lawn tool
Perfect for year-round planting
Can be used as a lawn sod plugger and weeder
Planting tool for annuals, ground covers, vegetables and plants sold in trays
Soil sampler tool for soil testing
Makes a great drip edge fertilizing tool for your fruit trees
Simple to use in 3 easy steps
Ideal for creating multiple holes with a consistent depth
Creates holes at 2, 4-inches and 6-inches deep and 2-1/8-inches wide
T-shaped handle has comfortable padded hand grips
30-day full money-back guarantee
One-year warranty

Cons

Avoid digging in dry or overly saturated soil
Not recommended for St. Augustine Grass

Check the price on Amazon

4. TCBWFY Auger Drill Bit Bulb Planter

Increase your planting efficiency and save valuable time and energy with the TCBWFY Auger Drill Bit Bulb Planter.

Planting flower bulbs like tulips and iris, and bedding plants or seedlings can be done in minutes with just the press of a button. The 3/8-inches auger spiral drill bit has a non-slip hex drive that can be securely attached to an 18-volt electric drill or a 14-volt cordless drill.

A powerful digging machine, this high-speed auger has a durable heavy-duty steel shaft with a glossy black painted finish. Any gardening job will be done fast and efficiently as it quickly digs holes up to 14.6-inches deep and 1.8 inches wide. Designed for a variety of tasks, it can be used in sandy, loamy, and silty soil, and even drill straight through solid clay.

As well as creating holes in your flower and vegetable garden, plant pots, or planter, you can even use this functional tool to drill a hole for a fence post or an umbrella. Additional garden or home uses include tilling the soil, digging out weeds, mixing seed, fertilizer, mixing batches of mortar for hardscaping, or even paint.

Pros

High quality
Excellent value for money
Very good price
Amazingly functional
Perfect for planting tulips, iris, bulbs, bedding plants, and seedlings
Can be used to drill a hole for a fence post or an umbrella
Ideal for tilling the soil, digging weeds, mixing seed, soil, fertilizer, batches of mortar mix for hardscaping or paint
Heavy-duty high-speed steel spiral auger drill bit has a glossy black finish
Built to last
Non-slip hex drive fits securely to an electric or cordless power drill
Quickly digs holes up to 14.6-inches deep and 1.8-inches wide
Can even drill straight through solid clay

Cons

Auger can twist around when used in tough rocky soil
Steel shaft can get stripped easily

Check the price on Amazon

5. Power Planter Bulb and Bedding Plant Auger

Extremely durable and efficient, the Power Planter Bulb and Bedding Plant Auger will help you to plant all your bulbs super fast.

Made in the US, the Power Planter does not shy away from hard work. Its sturdy 100% steel spiral auger shaft is up to the challenge of creating lots of holes that measure 7-inches deep and 3-inches wide holes for bulbs and potted and bedding plants.

Whatever type of soil you have in your garden, normal, rocky, or clay, this rugged spiral auger drill bit powers through dense dirt and gives your plants the root-to-soil contact they need. All you need to do is attach the 3/8-inches non-slip hex drive to your electric or cordless power drill and let the Power Planter do the rest.

Highly versatile for the garden and home, you can also use this to weed your garden or yard, mixing fertilizer, tilling small planter boxes, mixing polymers in soil, mixing paints, or small batches of cement and mortar.

You can choose your color: glossy black enamel or light pink.

Power Planter offers a lifetime guarantee on the planter auger.

Pros

Great quality
Excellent value for money
Very affordable price
Made in the US
Extremely durable and efficient
Sturdy 100% steel auger drill bit is built to last
Designed for planting bulbs and bedding flower and vegetable plants
Powerful bit drills holes in all types of soil
3/8-inches non-slip hex drive fits any electric or cordless drill
Highly versatile
Can be used in the garden and home
Ideal for mixing fertilizer, tilling small planter boxes, mixing polymers in soil, mixing paint or small batches of cement and mortar
Available in glossy black and pink
Lifetime guarantee

Cons

Can jerk out of your hand when the auger hits a large root

Check the price on Amazon

6. Berry&Bird Bulb Planter

Forget about back-breaking gardening chores. The Berry&Bird Bulb Planter is a gardener's best friend. It allows you to plant bulbs quickly while reducing bending and stooping.

Planting your new bulbs is extremely easy with the 36.6-inch long-handled bulb planter. The smooth ash wood handle is strong and the reinforced stainless steel head is rust-resistant and durable.

This bulb planter is very easy to use. Grip the handle and place your foot on the footstep. Press the planter into the ground and twist to create a 4-inch deep and 2.5-inch wide hole and then pull it up. Tap the planter to remove the soil plug and it should just pop out.

Especially suited for compacted soil, the Berry&Bird bulb planter has sharp serrated teeth that dig into soft and hard soil effortlessly.

Its ergonomic T-Bar grip is comfortable to hold and offers you superior leverage and maximum digging force with minimal effort. For your digging safety, the planter has an extra-wide non-slip footplate. The 1-6-inch depth measurement marks help you to maintain a consistent depth and achieve accurate bulb planting.

Berry&Bird offers a 30-day free replacement and 2-year warranty on the bulb planter.

Pros

High quality
Very good value for money
Gardener's best friend for easy bulb planting
Long-handle saves on time and effort without bending
Strong ash wood handle
Reinforced stainless steel head is rust-resistant and durable
Sharp serrated teeth slide into soil effortlessly
Comfortable ergonomically-designed T-bar handle provides superior leverage and maximum digging force with minimal effort
Extra-wide non-slip footplate for safety
Simple and easy to use
Measurement markings
30-day free replacement and 2-year warranty

Cons

Expensive
Handle can come loose when the bulb planter is used in extra hard clay soil

Check the price on Amazon

7. SYITCUN Auger Drill Bulb Planter

Fast and effective, the SYITCUN Auger Drill Bulb Planter is perfect for any professional or home gardening enthusiast.

With superior craftsmanship, the rapid spiral auger drill bit is made from high-strength steel with a glossy black finish. Its heavy-duty design will dramatically increase your efficiency when planting flower bulbs, potted plants, vegetables, seedlings, bare-root trees, shrubs, and removing grass plugs.

Incredibly functional, you can use this tool for lots of gardening and household tasks. Tilling the soil, mixing seed, fertilizer, paint, or batches of mortar mix for hardscapes. Create a hole for fence posts, decks, or trees. It can even be used to effortlessly drill a hole to anchor your beach umbrella at the campsite or take it on an ice fishing trip.

Once you attach the 3-inches non-slip hex drive onto any standard drill, it bites onto the drill and delivers a rapid digging performance.

Featuring a smart design, the sharp point on the drill bit hits the ground first and stays steady on-point while it digs into the hard ground to create a 9-inches deep and 1.6-inches wide hole.

The auger has been specially created with a minimal distance between the start of the digging blade and the ground so that you do not have to push the tool down. It can also dig through most soil types even clay and rocky soil. You will spend less time planting and more time relaxing in your garden.

The auger bulb planter comes in 4 sizes and 2 colors: black or green. Plus, you also get 2 bonus mini bright yellow garden shovels.

SYITCUN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on the auger drill bulb planter.

Pros

High quality
Excellent value for money
Affordable price
Perfect for professional gardeners and home gardeners
Superior craftsmanship
High-strength thick steel
Delivers a maximum digging performance
Fast and effective
Specially created with a minimal distance between the start of the digging blade and the ground for effortless digging
Create a 9-inches deep and 1.6-inches wide hole
Multi-functional
Can be used for lots of gardening and household tasks
Ideal for camping or ice fishing
Fits any standard electric or cordless drill
Non-slip design provides a stronger grip
Easily digs through most soil types even clay and rocky soil
Comes with a glossy black or green finish
Four sizes
Bonus 2 mini bright yellow garden shovels
30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

Can throw up a lot of dirt at high speeds

Check the price on Amazon

8. Esschert Design Dibber/Bulb Planter

The Esschert Design Dibber/Bulb Planter will make easy work out of planting seeds, small flower bulbs, and garlic bulbs.

This stylish bulb planter is made from solid stainless steel and its sharp point quickly penetrates hard soil to create 3.5-inches deep and 1.5-inches wide holes with a consistent depth. Its beautiful smooth ash wood T-handle fits snugly into your hand and makes the tool easy to twist and turn. It also comes with a convenient leather loop for storage.

Pros

Very good quality
Good value for money
Ideal for small bulb planting and seedling tasks
Stylish design
Strong and solid stainless steel blade has a sharp point
Quickly penetrates into hard soil
Helps you to achieve a consistent 3.5-inches deep and 1.5-inches wide hole
Beautiful smooth ash wood handle
T-handle fits perfectly in the hand
Easy to twist and turn
Convenient leather hanging loop

Cons

Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
Handle can come loose easily

Check the price on Amazon

Our Top Pick for the Best Bulb Planter

Our top pick for the best bulb planter is the ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn and Garden Tool Bulb Planter.

If you have a passion for gardening and keeping your lawn spick and span, we highly recommend the ProPlugger 5-in-1 Bulb Planter for all your gardening needs.

Check the price on Amazon

Was this article helpful?

Yes No