10 Best Bulb Planters [Buyer Guide]
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Whether you are a home gardener just getting to grips with the world of gardening, or you are a seasoned gardener or landscaper looking to diversify your toolbox; you will know how great a planter can be. A bulb planter is an excellent tool that helps you achieve the right depth and width when planting bulbs, and can keep taller plants from falling over or getting overwhelmed in the soil. It’s also a less labour-intensive way to plant your bulbs, as little to no digging is required. Bulb planters can be manual contraptions that are usually made from metal and plastic, but can also come in the form of screwdriver add-ons that can dig out the correct width and height for your bulbs. Planting can be a messy business, so before you don your gardening trousers and start gardening, it is time to pick a bulb planter!
We understand that for some of you, picking the right planter can be difficult, as there is so much choice readily available. We have taken the time to review the 10 best bulb planters on the market right now, taking into account their key features and specifications, as well as showing a range of price points to help you make the right purchase. Although bulb planters aren’t considered expensive, you want to ensure that you are getting the best value for money whilst still having a product that you can rely on every time you decide to garden. We have also included a detailed summary at the bottom of the buyer guide, as well as an in-depth FAQ guide packed with answers to your burning questions. There is also some further reading and a video, so we hope that this guide allows you to make a well-informed purchase. So, without further ado, here the the 10 best bulb planters on the market right now.
Connex Automatic Flower Bulb Planter
The Connex Automatic Flower Bulb Planter is a high quality and easy to use planter that works well in smaller gardens that require bulbs to be planted. The handles are thick and provide good grip, as well as the metal able to hold the bulb in place as you plant it. Overall a cheap and cheerful product that does the job.
Key Features:
Easy to use bulb planter
Thick grip handle
Made from metal and plastic for durability
Specification:
Brand
Connex
Colour
Red
Material
Metal
Height
23 cm
Weight
280 g
Pros
Great for smaller garden spaces
Cheap and good value for money
Cons
Not suitable for very tough soil or larger gardens that would require 10-20 bulb planting
Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Bulb Planter
The Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Bulb Planter is a sturdy and easy to use product that is made from stainless steel and high-quality plastic. The handle is thick and easy to grip, and the planter is rust-resistant. The handle is also fairly long, giving you a bit more mobility especially when planting multiple bulbs. Overall this is great for the average home gardener looking to plant a few bulbs every season.
Key Features:
Stainless steel used to prevent rust and extend life of the product
Easy to use and great if you want to plant your bulbs deep into the soil
Thick handle that is sturdy
Specification:
Brand
Spear & Jackson
Colour
Yellow
Material
Stainless Steel
Height
30 cm
Weight
200 g
Pros
Great for the home gardener that is looking to plant their bulbs deep into the soil
Cons
May be less sturdy for continuous commercial usage
Draper 3082 Bulb Planter
The Draper 3082 Bulb Planter is a sturdy and robust product that works for plants in turf or even heavy, dense soil. The handles are spring-loaded, and give you depths of 50mm and 100m. The planter is chrome-plated steel giving you confidence that this won’t break or rust even after extended usage. Overall an excellent planter that can be used both by domestic and commercial gardeners/landscapers.
Key Features:
Chrome-plated steel bulb planter
Easy to use handles that are spring loaded
Great for domestic or commercial use
Specification:
Brand
Draper
Colour
Green
Material
Chrome-plated steel, plastic
Height
23.4 cm
Weight
100g
Pros
High quality spring loaded handles makes this ideal even for tough and dense soil
Cons
Style and size may not be to everyone's taste
VIPMOON Garden Bulb Auger Drill Bit
The VIPMOON Garden Bulb Auger Drill Bit is a high-quality drill add-on that also works as a bulb planter, allowing you to burrow into the soil with minimal effort. This is great for gardeners who don’t have a lot of physical strength, or maybe have a lot of bulbs to plant and want to do this quickly.
Key Features:
Drill add-on that works as a bulb planter
High quality carbon steel material
Easy to use product
Specification:
Brand
SIZIAM
Colour
Black
Material
Carbon steel
Pros
Ideal for those who don't want to use a manual option
Cons
May not be suitable for all drills, check before purchasing
Bulb planter
The Bulb Planter by Organ Attack is a sturdy and easy to use planter that features a long handle and foot rest to help drive the planter into tough or dense soil. The product is made completely from metal with a plastic handle, so you can be confident that this will last you a long time, without breaking easily.
Key Features:
Easy to use planter
Foot rest for added force/support
Long handle making planting more comfortable and less labour intensive
Specification:
Brand
Organ attack
Colour
Black
Material
Metal
Height
52 cm
Weight
1500 g
Pros
Foot rest is great for those who have tough or dense soil
Cons
Style and size may not be to everyone's taste
FLORA GUARD Bulb Planter with Depth Mark
The FLORA GUARD Bulb Planter with Depth Mark is a sturdy and affordable planter that features a spring-loaded handle and easy to use design. The planter is made from stainless steel and features anti-slip handles, giving you complete control when using this product. It works well on dense soils such as clay and wet soil.
Key Features:
High-quality stainless steel bulb planter
Anti-slip handles for easy grip
Works on multiple types of soil
Specification:
Brand
FLORA GUARD
Colour
Red
Material
Stainless Steel
Height
24 cm
Weight
300 g
Pros
Great for those who have more than one soil type
Cons
No foot stand/rest
Jardineer 4Pcs Bulb Planter Set
The Jardineer 4Pcs Bulb Planter Set is a great starter kit for home-gardeners. Not only does this kit come with a planter, but also gloves and a garden trowel. The whole kit is made with high quality plastic and steel, and is also incredibly affordable for the average home gardener. The materials are anti-rust and made to last, and overall a great investment if you enjoy gardening but are unsure on the tools you’ll need.
Key Features:
4 piece set
Made from high-quality stainless steel and plastic
Kit is designed for home-gardeners to get them started
Specification:
Brand
Jardineer
Colour
Yellow
Material
Stainless Steel
Height of planter
33 cm
Weight (whole set)
810 g
Pros
Great if you're looking for more than just a bulb planter, as this is an affordable kit
Cons
If you don't need all of these products then you probably don't need to buy this
Silverline Bulb Planter
The Silverline Bulb Planter is a simple and easy to use planter that is made from zinc-plated metal. The finish of this product is corrosion resistant, meaning that it should last you for years to come! The digging teeth are also serrated, which is great if you have dense or tough soil.
Key Features:
Easy to use design
Made from sturdy zinc plated metal
Design is great for home gardeners
Specification:
Brand
Silverline
Colour
Green
Material
Zinc plated metal
Height
24 cm
Weight
290 g
Pros
Design and materials are great for home gardeners
Cons
May not be suitable for commercial gardening
GARDENA Bulb Planter
The GARDENA Bulb Planter is a practical and easy to use product that has an automatic grip trigger. This releases the soil effortlessly. It’s made with high quality steel as well as being coated with duroplast. This is great for home gardeners and can work with many different types of soil.
Key Features:
Easy to use planter
Spring loaded handle
Steel designed to work with dense and tough soil
Specification:
Brand
Gardena
Colour
Blue and Orange
Material
Steel
Height
25.3 cm
Weight
530 g
Pros
Great for home gardeners due to how versatile the planter is with many different types of soil
Cons
No footrest
Garden Planter Bulb Auger
The Garden Planter Bulb Auger by SYITCUN is an attachment that works with your screwdriver to allow you to plant bulbs with complete ease. This is ideal for home-gardeners who maybe don’t have the strength or time to manually plant their bulbs.
Key Features:
Easy to use drill fixture for planting bulbs
Robust stainless steel can penetrate tough or dense soil
Specification:
Brand
SYITCUN
Colour
Black
Material
Stainless steel
Pros
Great for home-gardeners or even commercial use due to how easy this is to use
Cons
May not fit on all drills
Summary
As you can see, there are so many options for you to choose from. Whether it is a screwdriver accessory, or a manual planter, there is something for everyone. However, we know that some of you still may be unsure on which product is the best one for you. So, before you don your gardening boots and get outside, here are a few things for you to consider before making your purchase.
Also, if you love gardening, check out our guides on multi purpose compost and garden waste bags.
Manual or electric
There are two different options available with planters. Traditional planters tend to be spring-loaded contraptions that you have to physically push into the soil, and these tend to come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The only downside to these planters is that they can wear over time, and also it takes a lot of strength to push these planters into tough or dense soil. However, electric options often add on to your screwdriver and can be a quick and easy way to plant bulbs. The only downside with this is that you may exhaust your screwdriver if you are planting a ton of bulbs at any one time. Both have their pros and cons, so have a think about which option would be the best for you.
Material
You will see that we’ve listed high-quality materials throughout, this is because plastic or low-quality metal simply will not cut it when purchasing a bulb planter. It’s the equivalent of buying rubber lawn edging shears – completely useless. Ensure that you invest in a high-quality metal such as steel or coated zinc.
FAQ
Do I need a bulb planter?
If you enjoy gardening and plan to plant flowers, then you should invest in a planter. They are an inexpensive tool that will pay dividends in the future, as you are less likely to experience issues with flowers and plants. A bulb planter allows you to have a bit more control over your gardening.
What is the best bulb planter?
We would be biased if we told you, however, we always recommend going for a planter that is made from high-quality metal that is also rustproof. This means it should last for years to come. It is important to consider the factors we have mentioned above when buying a planter, as ultimately you want to find one that will work for you.
How does a bulb planter work?
Further reading
Planting bulbs: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=95