Topic: Anybody got one of these tools?

[kt.]

Anybody got one of thes tools used to plant spuds instead of digging trenches?  What is it called?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17857858

If so are they any good?  Do you dig the manure into the ground before using it or drop manure in the planting hole?

[galina]

Like a giant foot-operated bulb planter.  Never seen one.  Slightly reminiscent in its upright operation to the Autospade.  Fascinating.  Thanks for showing us.  Guess this works better on light soil than on clay.

[Hi_Hoe]

Looks like a post-hole digger.

Try this link

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Post+Hole+Digger/p16835

or

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=post+hole+digger

[Hi_Hoe]

Its defo a post hole digger - its square in shape!!

also, wickes have 'em

http://search.wickes.co.uk/search?w=post%20hole%20digger

[Squashman]

I have got one and use it every year. I dig the manure in first then use my potato planter. I don't think that it would be any use as a post hole digger

[MervF]

I have got one and use it every year. I dig the manure in first then use my potato planter. I don't think that it would be any use as a post hole digger

I think they are brilliant - can you tell me where you got yours please?

[steve76]

A few of the old timers at my site have them,Its not a post hole digger, i only found a couple for sale on ebay last year and they went for £30 upwards,
I may get my welder out an give it a go at making one if i cannot find one for sale at a good price

And they make lite work of planting when i used one last year

[Jayb]

Has the one your looking for got a name Steve?

Are the post hole diggers easy to use?

[steve76]

i only know of them as a potato planter?? thats what i found a couple on ebay last year under,but you will get all the grow bags thing come up on ebay when you type that in aswell.
Have had a look just now and not any on there what i could see,

[tomatoada]

I bought a long handled Draper bulb planter off eBay.  £13.94.   I work it round to make the hole bigger, then lift the soil out and drop the potato in.  Works for me.   Manure goes on in the Autumn as  Squashman.  I am a bit late this year.  Finished putting it on last week.  Will interested to hear about other aids.

[Jayb]

Cheers

[pumkinlover]

I use a long handled bulb planter, bought it a few years ago and it is brilliant, save so much back ache.

[kt.]

Found a potato planter with video but this one defeats the object if you have to dig a trench first:

http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/products/potato-planter-tool-11229.aspx

Does not seem as big as the one in the video at the start of the thread.  Researching some of the post hole diggers,  they would get the depth required but could be a little too big but easy enough to fill in I guess.  I will look at some next time I go to B&Q before deciding to buy.

[Susiebelle]

 This one looks interesting, handles bit different but may give it a go - http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/products/potato-planter-tool-11229.aspx

[tomatoada]

That one looks hard work. 

[MervF]

I am wondering if it looks hard as the soil looks fairly heavy.   It is virtually the same tool but the handles look thinner.   I go past Grove Nurseries during the summer (they are not that far from me) so will pop in and have a look.   In fact, I may have a little trip out when the weather brightens up a bit.

[Squashman]

I found mine together with an assortment of other tools in an old shed I inherited when I took on an allotment some years ago.

[goodlife]

Episode from goodlife comes to my mind...with the home made potato planter thingy...

[kt.]

This one looks interesting, handles bit different but may give it a go - http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/products/potato-planter-tool-11229.aspx

I had looked at that but he still recommended digging a small trench before hand.

[Susiebelle]

I thought the soil looked very heavy - clay? and thought the suggestion of digging the trench was because of that.  I garden on raised beds and as close to 'no dig' as I can get, the digging comes when I lift the pots!
I use a bulb planter for bulbs (not long handled) and find the whole it makes is often not large enough for daff. bulbs, so do like the idea of something that makes a larger whole - did think the original post (think from telegraph) was super.
MervF, will await your views on inspection if you  manage to get there.