Speciality Tools - Bulb Planters

If you have ever planted even a relatively small number of bulbs by hand using an ordinary garden trowel you will know just how back-breaking the task can be! Having completed the laborious task last Autumn, I was recuperating in the Garden Shed with a cup of tea when I recalled memories of my Grandfather using a mysterious conical planting tool that had belonged to his father.

For centuries keen gardeners have been instrumental in the development of horticultural implements designed for specific purposes. The local Blacksmith would forge the metal parts. Occasionally distinct regional patterns of a common basic design would evolve. At Bentley’s we realised that there was an opportunity to revisit this process, creating tools that would be ideal for tackling chores such as planting bulbs.

Our Traditional Range of Bulb Planters are manufactured from high grade Stainless Steel with a solid Ash wooden handle stained to a rich antique patina. The geometry of the cone allows a plug of earth of up to 150 mm, 6’ long to be removed intact in all but the driest or sandiest of soils. The hand polished stainless steel construction makes cleaning easier too! The width of the planting hole is 57 mm, 2 1/4”. The cone even features an external engraved scale to assist with planting bulbs at the correct depth!

The extended arms of the Short Handled Bulb Planter allow clearance for a full sized plug of earth to be removed easily. Because the downward force exerted by hand is a lot less than by foot, we have made the cutting edge of the cone serrated. This allows the tool to slice through the earth more easily. It is ideal for planting a relatively small number of bulbs in borders or prepared ground. We would not recommend it to be used to cut through long grass - the root system is just too tough! For that you need something a lot stronger and less effort to use . . . .

Our Long Handled Bulb Planter makes light work of an otherwise arduous task. The extended ‘T’ piece handle has softly rounded ends, allows good leverage, looks superb and is an absolute pleasure to use. The robust stainless steel construction incorporates a comfortable treaded foot rests and makes tackling even heavy ground a relatively straightforward task. You can even use the planter with either foot! It really does perform even better than it looks! Outstanding!

How to use your bulb planter:
Insert it into the ground, lift out the clod of earth, pop your bulb into the hole, then replace the clod of earth. The clod is ejected automatically when you make the next hole - it really is that simple!