Great Gadgets: Bulb Auger

Bulb auger on a cordless drill

It may look like a giant drill bit (because it is), but the bulb auger is the handiest purchase I've made this year.  It works wonderfully to drill a hole just the right size for planting bulbs up to about 9" deep, even in my hard buckshot soil.

Lazy gardener that I am, I also used it to "drill" holes in tilled soil to plant my tomatoes yesterday.  It made quick work of a miserable task; the 2.75" holes were just big enough for 2" pot transplants.  I'd still be digging had I not used it.

It does require a bit of arm/wrist strength for drilling deep holes.  I get around that by bracing it against my thigh to keep it from "flipping."

For $15, it's hard to beat!

Great Gadgets: Telephone Pole Hole Diggers

Nearly eight feet tall, this hand little (well, not so little) gadget was originally used to dig holes for telephone poles by hand.  At least 50 years old, it's still sharp and out-performs any post-hole-digger we've ever tried.  If you happen to run across one, get it!