Last updated on March 4th, 2022
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They say nothing good comes easy and before you enjoy a bountiful garden in the summer, you have some work to do between September and October, especially if you are planting spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, alliums, etc or in May when planting summer bulbs such as gladioli. Back in the day, people did not have the luxury of having bulb planters and therefore had to rely on other digging tools. In most cases, using those tools lead to backbreaking work that left the user’s muscles sore. Now, you have the pleasure of using long-handled bulb planters that take the strain out of the process. You can plant bulbs in extensive areas without getting your hands dirty or straining your body too much.
Today we introduce long-handled bulb planters that will work well for your garden. You will get to see which brand offers the best long-handled bulb planter and what features to expect. In the end, we are sure you will have an idea as to the kind of long handled bulb planter you want.
Compared to the rest, the Kent & Stowe Traditional Long Handled Bulb Planter proves to provide the best quality with a 15-year guarantee to back it up. It features a T-handle, tread edge, 6cm diameter head and a 4-inch scale to cater to all your planting needs.
BEST PICK
- Made of stainless steel, therefore, guaranteeing durability.
- Comes with an ash wood T-handle to provide comfort and style.
- Features a tread edge to make penetrating the ground easier including lawns.
- Provides a 6cm diameter head to house different bulb sizes.
- Offers a 15-year guarantee for customer satisfaction.
- Features a 4-inch scale so as to measure the depth needed.
The top 3 long handled bulb planters that we highly recommend
- Kent & Stowe Traditional Long Handled Bulb Planter – BEST PICK
- Faithfull Long Handle Bulb Planter – RUNNER UP
- Burgon & Ball Long Handled Bulb Planter
Buyer’s Guide
What do you look for in a long handled bulb planter? Below are a few features you can consider before you purchase the best long handled bulb planter for your garden:
Durability
The durability of a tool relies on the material that it is made of. The stronger the material the more likely the tool will last. Look for bulb planters that are made from steel because steel is strong and treated to keep them from rusting and corroding. Some models like the Faithfull Long Handle Bulb Planter come coated with other materials like polypropylene to prevent their surfaces from scratching and it adds an extra layer of protection. Stainless steel is a good material too.
Comfort while working
When working with long handled bulb planters, you need to consider the height of the tool. The height of the tool should comfortably match your own so that you do not strain. For a short person, using an excessively long tool will prove challenging. A tall person should select a bulb planter height that allows them to work without stooping so low.
The handles are also important for comfort while working. T-handles are preferred because they provide adequate muscle support while working the tool into the ground. Look for handles that are well finished to provide adequate grip.
RUNNER UP
Tread edge
The tread edge allows the user to drive the tool into the ground with ease. Some tread edge designs give the user a different experience. For example, the Burgon & Ball model’s tread edge is different from the Kent & Stowe model. Depending on the design you would prefer, make sure it offers enough space for your foot (which all the models we recommend do) and it’s worth noting that there are some badly designed models available where they simply didn’t take this into account and it can make them more difficult to drive into the ground.
Price
As always, the amount you can spend affects the quality of the tool you have access to. Whatever you do, ensure that the quality you get matches the price. You do not want to overspend only to find that the tool was not worth the hype. Check customer reviews to gain more insight into the product before spending your hard-earned cash.
Depth Gauge
This feature is not present in all long handled bulb planters, however, the best long handled bulb planter will surely feature one because it can be very useful for planting at the correct depth. These depth gauges are important if your bulbs have to go a specific height into the soil.
Warranty and guarantee
We cannot pretend that warranties and guarantees don’t matter. They always provide a backup plan just in case the tool has flaws that cannot be ignored. Look for products like the Kent & Stowe Traditional Long Handled Bulb Planter that offer a long guarantee. The longer the guarantee the more you can rest easy knowing that the tool is dependable.
Top 3 Long Handheld Bulb Planter Reviews
These are some of the best models on the market with satisfied customers all over the world. Read through the reviews and see whether any of them fit your needs starting with our favourite by Kent & Stowe, who are known for their traditional quality tools.
1. Kent & Stowe Traditional Long Handled Bulb Planter
BEST PICK
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The Kent & Stowe Traditional Long Handled Bulb Planter is made of high-quality steel that has been treated to keep weather damage at bay. It comes with a wooden T-handle to offer you enough comfort as you continue to plant the bulbs. The handle is made from ash wood to give it a traditional look compared to the full metal models.
To make sure you plant the bulb to the correct depth, this bulb planter comes with a 4-inch scale. You can always refer to the scale if you are planting bulbs of different kinds and we think this is a feature that can come in very handy. Additionally, this tool measures 12 x 25 x 101cm and it is long enough for you to work with without straining your back, most people will find this height about right. The diameter of the bulb planter is 6cm and this provides adequate room for both large bulbs such as gladioli and alliums and small bulbs such as mini daffodils and tulips. It also features a nice tread edge to help drive the tool into the ground without using much force and reducing the chances of your foot slipping off.
Pros
- Made of stainless steel, therefore, guaranteeing durability.
- Comes with an ash wood T-handle to provide comfort and style.
- Features a tread edge to make penetrating the ground easier.
- Provides a 6cm diameter head to house different bulb sizes.
- Offers an unbeatable 15 year guarantee for customer satisfaction.
- Features a 4-inch scale to measure the depth needed depending on what type of bulbs you are planting.
If you choose to buy this long-handled bulb planter, which is probably one of the best models currently available, you do get a 15-year guarantee from Kent & Stowe for further peace of mind for those who are willing to invest a little more. The 15 years provided is a long time to test out and prove that the bulb planter is durable and will stand the test of time.
Compare the best prices from available sellers below
Want to speed up your bulb planting? – Read why I use a bulb auger with a drill here.
2. Burgon & Ball Long Handled Bulb Planter
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Introducing the Burgon & Ball RHS Endorsed Long Handled Bulb Planter that is light in weight but offers excellent performance. The tool comes with an FSC oak wooden handle that has been given a smooth finish to provide comfort and grip. Because it does use FSC oak this means is from sustainable sources so you are also doing your bit for the environment, which is something many gardeners will appreciate.
Additionally, the bulb planter features an angled blade so that you can penetrate the soil easily. If you are working on compacted soil or turf, you may want to use the foot bar to drive the tool into the soil. The foot bar has been designed in such a way that you can apply pressure without damaging your wellies, this means no sharp edges etc.
Furthermore, the bulb planter features a 4-inch scale-like our ‘Best Pick’ that you can use to place your bulbs in the right depth. The 7cm diameter gives you room to work with different sized bulbs without having to change tools, which is useful if you’re switching from large bulbs to smaller bulbs regularly while planting. The model measures 104cm in length, therefore, you don’t need to bend down low to get the job done, which is obviously the general idea.
Pros
- Endorsed by the RHS.
- Features a 7cm diameter head to plant different sized bulbs comfortably.
- Provides a 4-inch scale to measure the right depth of insertion into the soil.
- Made of stainless steel and FSC oak to provide strength and durability.
- Features angled blades for simpler soil penetration.
- Comes with a foot bar to help drive the tool into the ground.
- Provides cutaway tube to easily remove soil plugs.
Finally is worth mentioning that this model is endorsed by the RHS and they only endorse the very best tools so this just gives a little more peace of mind.
Compare the best prices from available sellers below
3. Faithfull Essentials Long Handle Bulb Planter
RUNNER UP
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The Faithfull Essentials Long Handle Bulb Planter measures 11 x 96 x 39cm and weighs only 2.36Kg which means it is a fairly lightweight tool, which is surprising when you think how well made this model is. It is made from carbon steel and therefore, you can be sure that it will last for years to come. To protect from scratches, rust and humidity in the soil, the long-handled tool is given a powder-coated polypropylene coating. It just gives the metal that little extra protection needed to ensure it provides years of service.
The tool comes with a steel T- handle (like most good models) with a polypropylene coating to provide comfort and support when you drive the tool into the ground. It also features a tread edge so that you are able to force the tool into even compact ground like soil and even turf that can be very difficult to drive these types of tools into. The head has a diameter of 7-8.3cm and therefore can hold different sizes of bulbs just like any model in this review.
Pros
- Quality and affordability in one.
- Comes with a padded T-handle to offer support and comfort.
- Created using carbon steel with polypropylene powder-coated surface for durability.
- Features a head diameter of 7cm catering to different sized bulbs.
- Provides a tread edge to allow for easy ground penetration.
- Can be used for professional or domestic purposes.
This model doesn’t have a depth gauge which is a little disappointing and therefore you may have to estimate when planting bulbs. This is not a huge problem and overall this is a great model for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable long handled bulb planter.
Compare the best prices from available sellers below
Final Conclusion
Getting to experience a full garden in summer is one that many have grown to love and, using a dependable tool like our best pick is part of the process. Get one that can fit the size of the bulbs you want and get to planting. It really is as easy as that. Once you are done placing the bulbs in the soil, clean your tool and store it ready for another season of planting.
There are many more long-handled planters on the market. Now that you have this information, you can make the marketplace your playground.
Last update on 2024-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
