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?
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.
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
Its defo a post hole digger - its square in shape!!
also, wickes have 'em
http://search.wickes.co.uk/search?w=post%20hole%20digger
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
Quote from: Squashman on January 20, 2013, 15:03:34
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?
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 :happy7:
And they make lite work of planting when i used one last year :glasses9:
Has the one your looking for got a name Steve?
Are the post hole diggers easy to use?
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,
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.
Cheers (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/smile.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
I use a long handled bulb planter, bought it a few years ago and it is brilliant, save so much back ache.
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.
This one looks interesting, handles bit different but may give it a go - http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/products/potato-planter-tool-11229.aspx
That one looks hard work.
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.
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.
Episode from goodlife comes to my mind...with the home made potato planter thingy... :icon_cheers:
Quote from: Susiebelle on January 21, 2013, 09:22:07
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.
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.
I like mine because it has a triangular handle you can grip and use to lever the soil out. Also saves bending. It you just "stir" it to make the hole bigger you can drop quite a large spud in. Then fill.
Quote from: kt. on January 21, 2013, 19:44:46
Quote from: Susiebelle on January 21, 2013, 09:22:07
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.
I have e-mailed Groves Nurseries to see if they have them in stock and am waiting for their reply. If they do have them, I will go down there (it is only about an hour's trip) and will let you know what they are like - they look fine to me and will save a lot of bending. Thursday seems to be a fine day so may go then.
Look forward to getting your thoughts Merv - many thanks
Quote from: Susiebelle on January 22, 2013, 17:56:45
Look forward to getting your thoughts Merv - many thanks
I went down to Bridport this morning and had a look at one of these tools. They are well made and quite heavy for their size - about 5lbs. When I got back home, I tried it in one of my borders which had not been touched since mid October so has had plenty of rain, snow and frost on it. I pressed the planting tool as on the programme, it went straight in and easily operated the handles to open the bucket at the bottom so that would have been one potato planted. Before I went I phoned the nurseries to check they had them in stock and questioned whether they would be strong enough handles to operate the bucket part. The chap said they had none returned at all. They were a very friendly and helpful company to deal with.
Wow! thanks muchly for your feed back, :icon_cheers: after such a glowing report I will definately be giving it a go, after to be mail order though so I will get straight onto it.
Thanks again MervF
Susiebelle