Thanks for taking your time to read our information on the best bulb planters, that are currently available on the UK market. Bulb planters have only a slight variation in price, and in the UK, that is usually between £7-14. You will pay around double that amount for a long handled version.
They are an ideal garden accessory for planting flower bulbs, and the better ones will have an automatic releases and depth scales. These help to make the job of planting bulbs simple and remove the guesswork of depth.
Bulbs are an easy method of growing plants. They also grow quickly and within a few weeks you can have some great looking flowers in your garden for very little effort.
The most popular include daffodils, tulips, bluebells, lilies, and gladioli.
So, if like me you plant a lot of bulbs, then by having one of these, it will make your life that little bit easier. Just be aware though, that for these to work effectively, your soil needs to be in good condition.
Types of Bulb Planter
There are two main types:
- A hand held style- you need to bend or kneel down to use this. Ideal for planting a few bulbs in borders.
- Long handled style - a better choice if you are doing a lot of planting. Also a better choice if working on your knees is difficult or if you have back problems.
Our Top 6 Bulb Planters Comparison Table
Recommended Products | Key Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Automatic soil release, side depth gauge & 10 year guarantee Average Price £12-£15 | 2,000 ratings | |
Long wooden handle (540mm), stainless steel head, depth guide with metric and imperial Average price £40-£50 | 500 ratings | |
Stainless steel body, spring loaded handle and depth measuring aid. Average price | 700 ratings | |
Cheapest, spring loaded handles, chrome plated steel with plastic handle. Average price £7-£12 | 2,500 ratings | |
Spring loaded handles, gear powered at bottom of planter Average price £11-£15 | 400 ratings | |
ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Planting Tool | High speed planting, multiple hole sizes, steel with powder coated finish Average price £85-£95 | 6,500 ratings |
90% buyer satisfaction rating based on 800+ online buyer reviews
1. WOLF-Garten FHN
- This planter is a useful tool that will make planting bulbs or bedding plants quicker and easier
- Like most planters, you place it on the soil, and then twist and push down to create your hole and then lift out
- Once your bulb is planted you release the handle and the soil is released automatically by the press of a button on the handle
- It has a side depth gauge
- It comes with a 10 year guarantee
- As you can see from the high number of reviews, this one sells really well and gets top marks from buyers in the UK
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
The majority of buyers said this was easy to use and very easy to keep clean
Sheerness
It cuts well through most soil types, and buyers also said it worked pretty well on lawns.
Value for money
At around £12, this is typical of what you pay for a basic planter.
88% buyer satisfaction rating based on 500+ online buyer reviews
2. Spear and Jackson Traditional Stainless Long Handle
- This is a long handled bulb planter (540mm) and a great choice for anyone who suffers when they have to bend over - the extra long handle reduces the need for bending
- It is also worth noting that the longer handle gives you more pressure to push into more compacted ground
- The head length is 230mm and the diameter is 67mm at the bottom and 87 mm at the top
- The head is made from mirror polished stainless steel which stops soil sticking to the head
- It has a weatherproofed hardwood handle with a wide T grip handle for comfort and ease of use
- It also has both metric and imperial depth markings for accuracy
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
Generally speaking this is easy to use though some people had issues with the handle coming loose
Sheerness
It cuts well through most soil types and the added length of the shaft makes a big difference
Value for money
You do have to pay considerably more to get a bulb planter with a longer handle
84% buyer satisfaction rating based on 700+ online buyer reviews
3. Spear and Jackson 3060EL Select Stainless Steel Bulb Planter Review
- This Spear and Jackson bulb planter is made from stainless steel - the stainless steel body doesn't rust and also helps soil from sticking to the sides of it
- It has a very good spring loaded handle for faster and easier soil release
- It also has a depth measuring aid which is very useful for planting different sizes of bulbs
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
Buyers did like the serrated edges and the spring loaded handle which made this very easy to use
Sheerness
It cuts well through most soil types, but will struggle on compacted soil or in garden lawns
Value for money
It is slightly more expensive than some other models but you are buying a good brand
84% buyer satisfaction rating based on 2,500+ online buyer reviews
4. Draper 3082 Bulb Planter - Best Value
- This bulb planter from Draper is made from chrome-plated steel and has a plastic handle.
- The handle is spring loaded for easy release of the soil
- It has two depths of 50 mm and 100 mm clearly marked on the side of planter.
- The diameter of this planter is 60 mm
- It has 3 plain slot and 3 cross slot precision ground blades that are nickel plated steel bodies with swivel tops
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
Generally speaking these are not hard to use, and this Draper model is effective and fast
Sheerness
It cuts well through most soil types, but like many planters will struggle with sticky clay.
Value for money
At around £7, this is not an expensive buy, and this Draper model is one of the cheapest on the UK market
86% buyer satisfaction rating based on 400+ online buyer reviews
5. Flora Guard Bulb Planter with Depth Mark
- This bulb planter remains a popular choice and has a 3.2 inch diameter and a maximum depth of 4 inches
- It has like many brands a useful spring loaded handle which simply makes the bulb planter easier to use
- The bottom of bulb planter is classes as a "gear type" and that simply helps it push down easier into the soil
- The metallic surface has been electroplated, and that prevents it from rusting, and also helps to stop the soil sticking to the sides
- Overall, this model is well made and sturdy and buyers loved the simple depth gauge
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
Buyers said that any moist or wet soil will stick to this and can be fiddly to get it off
Sheerness
It cuts well through most soil types, but some buyers said it could bend easily
Value for money
It sits in the mid-price range so decent enough value for money, but there are better options.
92% buyer satisfaction rating based on 6,500+ online buyer reviews
6. ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Planting Tool
- This is the best on the market if you need to do a lot of planting
- It is an expensive choice but it can be used to plant bulbs, flowers, grasses and also to remove weeds.
- It is the choice for professionals for high speed planting
- Can make multiple hole sizes thanks to the adjustable depth rings
Pros:
Cons:
Ease of Use
Buyers say this is the fastest and easiest planter they have ever used.
Sheerness
It cuts well through any soil types, and does it really quickly
Value for money
It isn't cheap but buyers seem to love it.
Top Tip: To quickly remove soil from any bulb planter after planting, a simple trick is to gently tap the sides of the planter with a trowel.
FAQ
What time of year should I plant bulbs?
The perfect time in the UK is from October to December and these will flower in the Spring. The most popular include daffodils, tulips, bluebells, lilies, and gladioli. For summer flowering bulbs plant those in the Autumn or early Spring. You can also plant Autumn flowering bulbs in the late summer.
How do I use a bulb planter in my yard?
Bulb planters are only designed to be used in soil. They just will not work in lawns or anything that is compacted. Flower borders, raised beds, pots and containers are all fine, but anything hard or compacted is not suitable for a bulb planter.
Can I plant bulbs in pots?
Bulbs make a fine display planted in pots, containers or borders. Those that do best in these are daffodils, snowdrops and tulips.
How deep do you plant bulbs?
Most bulbs should be planted at two to three times their depth. For example, for a bulb measuring 5cm (2in) high, dig a hole 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and sit the bulb in the bottom of it. Always place the bulbs with the shoot facing upwards. Space bulbs at least two times the bulb's width.
What should I do if my bulb planter gets stuck??
Try gently wiggling the planter back and forth. If it is still stuck, you can try lifting it up and then pushing it back down into the ground. This helps introduce some air to help remove the suction.
Hopefully we have provided you with enough information, to be able to make the best buying decision for your bulb planter. In reality you can plant bulbs without one of these, just by using a small hand trowel. The bulb planter just makes the planting faster and easier.
In our opinion, if you can pick up a garden tool for around £10, that makes your life a little bit easier, then you should.
