How to Use a Bulb Planter for Spring Flowers

By The Diggers Club - Australia's No.1 Gardening Club | Published: 2026-10-24

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to use a bulb planter for spring bulb planting. Quick steps, common mistakes, and why Diggers' own bulb planter makes the job easier.

Quick answer

Use a bulb planter to quickly dig clean holes at the correct depth for each bulb. The Diggers Bulb Planter is especially good because its chrome-plated surface reduces soil sticking, and its depth markings help you plant accurately without guesswork.

Why choose a bulb planter over a trowel?

A bulb planter is designed to remove a core of soil in one motion, creating a neat hole and loosening the soil below. This is much quicker than digging and refilling with a trowel, and it disturbs nearby plants less. If you are planting dozens of bulbs, a planter saves time and reduces kneeling.

When a bulb planter may not be ideal

In very heavy clay or extremely compacted soil, a bulb planter may struggle to cut a clean core. For such conditions, loosen the soil first with a fork or choose a planter with a serrated edge. Also, for very small bulbs (like crocus), a trowel or hand fork may be simpler if you need very shallow holes.

Step-by-step: Using a bulb planter for spring flowers

1. Prepare the soil surface: Loosen the top layer lightly with a rake or hand fork and remove any stones or debris. This helps the planter cut cleanly without diverting on hard objects. Skip this step in very wet soil to avoid creating a muddy mess.
2. Position and press down: Place the planter at the spot where you want the bulb. Push it straight down into the soil until the depth marking matches the depth required for your bulb type. Common depths are written on the planter – for example, tulips often need 15 cm depth. Check the bulb supplier's recommended depth because some bulbs differ. The planter's markings are a guide.
3. Twist and remove the core: Give the planter a quarter-turn (about 90 degrees) to break the soil core from the base, then lift it out. The soil plug should come up inside the planter. If it sticks, a light tap on the handle often releases it. If the plug does not come out completely, you may have pushed the planter into very dry or sticky soil. Watering the area the day before helps.
4. Drop the bulb in and refill: Place the bulb in the hole with the pointed end up (most bulbs) or according to the supplier's instructions. Then push the soil plug back into the hole from the top, pressing down just enough to fill the space. Do not compact it tightly. Bulb roots need air – over-compacting the soil can slow root growth.
5. Clean and store the planter: Rinse or wipe the chrome-plated surface clean before the soil dries on. Storing it dry prevents rust and keeps the markings readable. If you plant in different soil types, clean between sessions to avoid spreading pathogens.

Product fact

Bulb Planter: The Diggers Bulb Planter is chrome plated to reduce soil debris from sticking, and has graduated markings on the side to help you select the correct depth for each bulb. Less soil sticking means cleaner holes and less effort cleaning the tool; depth markings remove the need to measure each hole by eye.
Bulb Planter