Simplify large tulip plantings with the proper tool.
image by Shelley Cunningham: sxc.hu
Daffodils, tulips and other flowering plants are often grown from bulbs. Bulb flowers are prized for their ease of care and planting, as compared to seeds. Planting two or three bulbs with a hand trowel is simple work, but it becomes painful to be crouched over or on your knees all day if you have many bulbs to plant. A bulb planter or auger is a tool made specifically for planting bulbs. Simplify your flower planting with this handy tool.
Plan your bulb spacing and planting depth depending on variety. In general, plant bulbs to a depth three times their height and 3 to 5 inches apart.
Place the cylinder end of the bulb planter on top of the ground where you wish to plant the bulb. Push the cylinder straight into the ground to your desired planting depth. Step on the protruding bars on either side of the cylinder to help force it into the ground.
Rock the planter back and forth slightly to loosen the dirt, then pull up. The plug of dirt is now inside the cylinder.
Place your bulb into the hole, root side down and pointy end up.
Place the planter back over the hole. Depending on your style of bulb planter, either release the lever to drop the soil plug back in or tap it with your foot until the plug drops back into the hole.