power planter

[mickeymoose]

Hi all.
Have any of you tried the power planter.
Its an auger thats designed for a hand drill.
Plenty on the internet thinking of getting one.
It appears quite handy for many tasks.
Before i make a decision it. Looking for recommendations thanks

[Snoop Puss]

Hi and welcome, mickeymoose.

I have a similar device and it's hopeless for our soil. The sides of the holes are too slick, solid and hard for roots to penetrate, not loose like you'd have with a fork or a trowel. It was given to us and to be honest it's a waste of space. I'd sell it but not easy to do that with a gift. This one doesn't look like it would be much more use, certainly not to me, and I wouldn't consider buying it.

What kind of soil do you have? Plus what kinds of plants would you be using it with? And where would you be getting your power supply from?

[veggiechicken]

It appears quite handy for many tasks.

What does it do apart from drilling holes in the soil?

[Bren In Pots]

Just wondering if you need something like that just to make sowing/planting holes how are the seedling going to cope with those sort of conditions?

[mickeymoose]

What does it do apart from drilling holes in the soil?

According to the demos which can be found on the internet it is used by plunging in and out at different angles an easy way to stir up the soil to make planting easier.
Good for planting bulbs as well annd stiring up compost etc

[mickeymoose]

Hi and welcome, mickeymoose.

I have a similar device and it's hopeless for our soil. The sides of the holes are too slick, solid and hard for roots to penetrate, not loose like you'd have with a fork or a trowel. It was given to us and to be honest it's a waste of space. I'd sell it but not easy to do that with a gift. This one doesn't look like it would be much more use, certainly not to me, and I wouldn't consider buying it.

What kind of soil do you have? Plus what kinds of plants would you be using it with? And where would you be getting your power supply from?

Hi snoop puss.
It is used with a rechargable drill and is used to stir up and dig the soil to ake digging easier

[veggiechicken]

According to the demos which can be found on the internet it is used by plunging in and out at different angles an easy way to stir up the soil to make planting easier.
Good for planting bulbs as well annd stiring up compost etc

I watched one - just to see what it was, including some chap drilling holes in his roadway.
To be honest, I couldn't see that it would do much more than using a fork to loosen the soil would. I'd have to buy a cordless drill as well.
Not for me - I'm out!

[Greenleaves]

Just another gimmick in my book......someone has thought I could use that for......and put an exorbitant price tag on it

[veggiechicken]

Cr0cus ............


We offer three sizes for different bulbs:

Snowdrops, anemones & crocus (small) - Ø1.25” x L18" (Ø3cm x 45cm)
Daffodils, tulips & iris (medium) - Ø1.75” x L30" (Ø4.5cm x 76cm)
Alliums & bedding plugs (large) - Ø2.75” x L24" (Ø7cm x 61cm)

Can't believe you need to drill a hole to plant a snowdrop 2-3" deep. What wrong with a pointy stick?
For bigger bulbs and plugs - use a long handled bulb planter.

[Snoop Puss]

mickeymoose, if the soil condition is so bad you need a drill, ask yourself how long a rechargeable battery is going to last in terms of working time and in terms of lifespan. In my experience, buying replacement batteries for this kind of device is either impossible or a rip-off. Plus, you need the manufacturer to be in business for a long time to ensure continuing supply of batteries. If you're happy to use small tillers, you might do better to put the money towards that instead.

[mickeymoose]

mickeymoose, if the soil condition is so bad you need a drill, ask yourself how long a rechargeable battery is going to last in terms of working time and in terms of lifespan. In my experience, buying replacement batteries for this kind of device is either impossible or a rip-off. Plus, you need the manufacturer to be in business for a long time to ensure continuing supply of batteries. If you're happy to use small tillers, you might do better to put the money towards that instead.

Firstly it is not a drill but an auger 100mm it digs and stirs 5square metres in less than 1/2 an hour any soil conditions
As for batteries 4 hour in now normal for working from charge so not quite sure what sort or drill you use
Someone i know has one and swears by it
I was hoping someone on this site has any experience rather than just offering neg comments by guesswork
I am also 85 years old so do no longer wield a fork or spade

[veggiechicken]

Hi Mickeymoose, the only person here who has one is Snoop Puss and she has given you her opinion of it after using it.
Personally, I use a long handled bulb planter for removing plugs of soil and dropping bulbs and potatoes into the holes it makes. Its easy to use and its easier on the back than bending over whilst using a drill/auger - one like this




If you know someone who has one and swears by it maybe you could try theirs to see what you think.

[Cadalot]

I have received a set of power planters for testing, I will be making some videos of the jobs that I have lined up for them one which included planting a huge amount of bulbs. See Alans Allotment: Power Planter

Unfortunately, my brother in law has been in hospital following heart failure, died was brought back via CPR and is now in Intensive Care so I have been spending a lot of time at the hospital and have not been to the allotment to test the Power Planters yet.

I have three tasks that the power planter is going to be ideal for testing with

1) I need to created a trench in the ground to bury my hose pipe to keep it safe from the grass cutter and strimmer on its way to the water tank. I had to use the Matlock to get across the path as the ground was so hard but I'm hoping to go along the path a lot faster with the Power Planter

2) I need to auger a hole or holes on the plot so that I can move the plastic owl on a handrail pole around to scare off the birds

3) I need to plant a whole load of bulbs

[mickeymoose]

I have received a set of power planters for testing, I will be making some videos of the jobs that I have lined up for them one which included planting a huge amount of bulbs. See Alans Allotment: Power Planter

Unfortunately, my brother in law has been in hospital following heart failure, died was brought back via CPR and is now in Intensive Care so I have been spending a lot of time at the hospital and have not been to the allotment to test the Power Planters yet.

I have three tasks that the power planter is going to be ideal for testing with

1) I need to created a trench in the ground to bury my hose pipe to keep it safe from the grass cutter and strimmer on its way to the water tank. I had to use the Matlock to get across the path as the ground was so hard but I'm hoping to go along the path a lot faster with the Power Planter


2) I need to auger a hole or holes on the plot so that I can move the plastic owl on a handrail pole around to scare off the birds

3) I need to plant a whole load of bulbs

Looking forward to your reports and findings

[Snoop Puss]

mickeymoose, sorry for the use of the wrong terminology. It sounds like you have quite a bit of knowledge about them already. The similar tool I have is not for digging up large areas but for making individual holes. Best of luck with using it, especially if you have to bend or kneel down a lot. My mum's 83 and I can't imagine her coping with one of these. You must be very fit. The one I have is not battery operated. Regardless, batteries always fail eventually, as their lifespan shortens to the point of being useless. I live off grid and am now an expert at getting the most out of batteries, but they never last for ever.

Cadalot, really sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I'd noticed you weren't around as much as usual. Hope his condition improves and that you and your family are coping.

I'll be interested to hear how things turn out. As an augur for essentially making pilot holes to dig out a trench, it should prove successful (stones permitting ).