The 9 Best Bulb Planters of 2023

Best Overall

Edward Tools Bulb Planter

4.9

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The Edward Tools Bulb Planter is our best overall pick because it’s made from durable reinforced stainless steel and has a comfortable grip that also functions as the soil release mechanism. While this bulb planter is certainly designed for smaller projects, rather than seeding a whole yard, we think its high-quality design and durable materials make it a reliable choice for any recreational bulb planting. The side of this planter has depth markings in both centimeters and inches, so you'll know exactly how deep you’re planting your bulbs. 

The handle is rounded for a comfortable grip, and it squeezes to release the soil plug from each hole. This bulb planter is made from reinforced steel, so it can push through compact soil without collapsing or bending, but we don’t recommend using it on clay or rocky soil, as it may not be strong enough. We also don’t recommend this tool for anyone who has limited mobility or joint discomfort, because the short handle, paired with the squeeze mechanism, may not be comfortable to use. 

The lifetime warranty offered for this product makes us confident that it’s a worthy—and incredibly affordable—investment. It's also sold by one of Amazon’s small business sellers, so you can feel good about supporting a local company.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Material: Steel | Length: 4-inch blade | Type of Blade: Cone | Weight: 10.6 ounces}

Best Budget

Husky 9-Inch Stainless Steel Bulb Planter

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This bulb planter from Husky is very similar to our best overall pick, but its main difference is the even more affordable price tag. Its rubber grip makes it a comfortable tool to use for an extended period of time while planting bulbs in a small garden or raised bed. It also has a similar squeeze mechanism that releases the soil plug back into its hole after placing a bulb. 

The serrated edge and depth markers take all the intense labor and guesswork out of planting bulbs. Our favorite feature of this planter is the built-in peg hole, which allows it to be hung on a hook or peg board after each use. Just like our best overall pick, we don’t recommend using this tool for larger swaths of your yard, but it’s an affordable and well-designed option for smaller projects. 

Price at time of publish: $10

_{Material: Steel | Length: 9 inches | Type of Blade: Cone | Weight: 8.48 ounces}

Best Short-Handled

The Dirt Snatcher Bulb Planter

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If you’re crouching in a garden bed all day, the tool you’re using should work with you to make the planting process easier. Enter: The Dirt Snatcher. This unique bulb planter has a squeeze mechanism that lifts the dirt plug out of each hole and easily replaces it once you’ve arranged your bulb. Its rubber grip is contoured to fit your fingers for an especially comfortable and controlled planting experience. 

Although this design is more expensive, we think its innovative function justifies the higher price tag. Though this squeeze handle is still not ideal for users with limited mobility or joint discomfort, we think it overall improves the user experience of a traditional bulb planter. The shovel-tipped blades also make it easier to dig into the dirt than with a traditional cone blade.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Material: Nickel-coated steel | Length: 11 inches | Type of Blade: Corer | Weight: 19.2 ounces}

Best Stand-Up

Perfect Garden Tool 39-Inch Steel Bulb Planter

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A stand-up bulb planter is a great option for anyone who is looking to protect their back and knees from bending in flower beds all day. This 39-inch bulb planter from Perfect Garden Tool has a solid, arrow-shaped planter blade that eliminates the need to discard soil plugs and makes it easy to carve out a 7-inch deep hole quickly. This stand-up bulb planter also allows you to easily plant bulbs in a larger garden or even aerate a lawn. 

The wide middle step plate makes it easier to keep your balance while pressing down on the planter. We also appreciate the wide handle on this tool, so you can grip it with both hands, since it is heavier than a short-handled bulb planter. Although this planter is 39 inches tall, it may not be tall enough to be comfortable for taller users. This tool’s design and size also make it one of the most expensive picks in our roundup, but we think its user-comfort-oriented design makes it worthy of a splurge.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Material: Steel | Length: 39 inches | Type of Blade: Solid | Weight: 96 ounces}

Best Auger

TCBWFY uger Drill Bit for Planting, 3 x12-Inch and 1.6 x 16.5-Inch Bits"

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A power drill allows you to quickly create plenty of holes for all your seeding needs. This drill bit set from TCBWFY includes two different bits: a 3 x 12-inch bit and a 6 x 16.5-inch bit. The extra length on both bits allow you to drill as deep as necessary into the soil, but there are no depth markers included, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t drill too deep. This type of bulb planter is ideal for someone who doesn’t love to spend an entire afternoon gardening, or for someone who prioritizes efficiency. "A good 3-inch auger with a 24-to-28-inch shaft on an 18-volt drill works wonders with very little bending over," suggests Schanen. "Care should be taken when using augers in clay soil, or soil with tree roots or stones, as they can get out of control and cause wrist or arm strain."

If you have young helpers in the garden, this tool may not be the best for them to use. These drill bits fit most standard hex drill drivers (0.37-inch and 0.3-inch drivers specifically) and don’t require extensive effort to install or connect to your drill. 

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Material: Alloy steel | Length: 12 and 16.5 inches | Type of Blade: Drill bit | Weight: 27.2 ounces}

Best Multipurpose

ProPlugger 5-in-1 Lawn and Garden Tool

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The thought of purchasing yet another tool that only serves one purpose and takes up space in a toolshed is a valid concern, so we’re always looking for multipurpose tools. The ProPlugger 5-in-1 Lawn and Garden Tool is the answer to all your clutter concerns and lawn and garden needs. From picking up weeds with deep roots to transplanting creeping grass, this tool does it all and is comfortable to use for extended periods of time. This standing design has two step levers on either side of the central barrel, so you can step on it with both feet or just use your dominant foot. 

Rather than releasing soil plugs after each hole, this tool functions by collecting them in its central pole and can be dumped upside down to discard all of them once it's full. Our only concern with this design is that crumbly, dry soil may not stay in the barrel of this tool, which would create more of a mess than help. However, we appreciate the labor-saving idea behind this tool’s design. The two blades on the bottom also act as depth markers for two and four inches. Pressing the planter into the ground until it's flush with the step levers equals a 6-inch hole. Overall, we think this tool is a great option for gardeners who are looking for a tool that can weed, aerate, seed, and transplant plantings all with a single action.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Material: Welded carbon steel | Length: 34.5 inches | Type of Blade: Cone | Weight: 88 ounces}

Best With Depth Markings

Berry&Bird Garden Bulb Planter with 6-Inch Depth Marks

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A bulb planter that features depth markings is an exacting gardener’s best friend, especially if soil-freeze warnings are a concern in your region. This tool from Berry&Bird features a 6-inch blade that’s clearly marked with centimeter and inch measurements. While it’s much more traditional in design, meaning there’s not a fancy plug-release mechanism or other helpful features, this tool is well made and will last several seasons for a recreational gardener. And in case your tool does arrive with any faulty parts, it’s backed by a two-year warranty. 

The serrated edge makes it easy to insert into soil and swiftly pick up soil plugs with a twisting motion. The wooden handle is ergonomically carved, so you can comfortably grip it while working. We are slightly worried about the comfort of this handle while using it for extended periods of time, and it may deteriorate if exposed to harsh weather conditions. However, assuming you store it in a tool shed or deck box that covers it from rain and snow, we feel confident that this bulb planter is a great basic planting tool with clearly marked depth measurements.

Price at time of publish: $24

_{Material: Stainless steel | Length: 12.6 inches | Type of Blade: Cone | Weight: 22.4 ounces}

Best for Clay Soil

Bully Tools 10-Inch Steel Hand Seeder

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Clay soil can be difficult to plant in, but certain bulbs, like daffodils and grape hyacinth, are more forgiving about their growing needs. This bulb planter from Bully Tools is the ideal tool for boring deep into compacted clay to plant bulbs or other seedlings. It has a curved, shovel-like edge, which makes it easier to initially enter rocky or clay soil, and the durable steel handle won’t give way or bend while you’re pressing into the soil. The rubber-gripped handles make it comfortable to use for a longer period of time, but we recommend wearing gloves if your hands are especially prone to blisters. 

While this bulb planter is very simple in design, its weight and durable construction make it a great option for harder soils. It is more expensive than other options on the market, but we think its effectiveness makes it worth the splurge, given the effort it saves you in combating difficult planting conditions. 

Price at time of publish: $42

_{Material: Steel | Length: 26.3 inches | Type of Blade: Cone | Weight: 48 ounces}