A good bulb planter is one of the most quietly useful tools in the shed. We looked at seven tools from major UK retailers including Amazon, Screwfix and B&Q, with options across different budgets and garden sizes, from short-handled hand planters to long-handled stainless models and a drill attachment for bulk planting.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Planter |
Type |
Best for |
Price |
|
Draper Hand Bulb Planter |
Short handle |
Pots and occasional use |
See card for current price |
|
Kent & Stowe Hand Planter |
Short handle |
Yearly container planting |
See card for current price |
|
Spear & Jackson Stainless Hand |
Short handle |
Rust-free hand tool |
See card for current price |
|
Kent & Stowe Long Handled |
Long handle |
Best all-rounder |
See card for current price |
|
RHS Burgon & Ball Long Handled |
Long handle |
Premium pick |
See card for current price |
|
Spear & Jackson Long Handled |
Long handle |
Heavy / clay soil |
Check retailer for current price |
|
Bulb auger drill bit |
Drill attachment |
Bulk planting |
Check retailer for current price |
How to choose a bulb planter
Short handle or long handle?
Short-handled planters suit containers and small spaces but require bending. Long-handled models let you work upright and use your body weight, making them better for naturalising bulbs across lawns and larger projects.
Blade material and build
Stainless steel heads offer easier soil penetration, rust resistance and better clay release compared to painted carbon steel. The connection between head and handle should be solidly riveted or welded to prevent early failure.
Depth markings and core width
Most bulbs need planting at two to three times their own height. A 6cm core width suits daffodils, tulips and alliums, while smaller bulbs prefer narrow dibbers.
Soil type matters
Bulb planters work best in loose soil. Heavy clay or compacted ground benefits from long-handled tools with foot treads or drill augers. Pre-watering the day before planting helps significantly.
The best bulb planters for 2026
1. Draper Hand Bulb Planter — best cheap pick
A basic, affordable hand planter with a spring-loaded handle suits occasional planting in pots and soft borders.
Key specs: Short-handled hand planter; 60mm diameter chrome-plated steel head; roughly 50mm to 100mm planting depth.
Pros: – Very affordable – Light – Suitable for containers and soft soil
Cons: – Flexes in hard ground – Plated steel needs cleaning and drying to prevent rust
Best for: Pots and occasional planting in soft soil
2. Kent & Stowe Hand Bulb Planter — best short-handled all-rounder
This tool features a thicker carbon steel head, a clearly stamped depth scale and a comfortable soft-grip handle. It comes with Kent & Stowe’s generous guarantee, indicating expected durability.
Key specs: Short-handled carbon steel hand planter; stamped depth scale; soft-grip handle.
Pros: – Sturdy for a hand tool – Clear depth markings – Lengthy guarantee – Comfortable grip
Cons: – Still demanding on the back for larger projects – Carbon steel requires dry storage
Best for: Yearly container planting
3. Spear & Jackson Stainless Hand Bulb Planter — best stainless hand tool
The mirror-polished stainless head sheds clay effectively and resists rust. Solid construction justifies the higher cost over carbon steel alternatives.
Key specs: Short-handled stainless steel planter; mirror-polished head.
Pros: – Rust-free stainless – Releases sticky soil effectively – Well made
Cons: – More expensive than carbon steel alternatives – Still requires bending
Best for: A rust-free hand tool for borders and pots
4. Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Long Handled Bulb Planter — best overall
Features an FSC-certified ash handle enabling upright work, a foot tread for leverage, and a stainless steel head cutting a uniform 6cm core. Backed by a 15-year guarantee.
Key specs: Long-handled; stainless steel head, 6cm core; FSC-certified ash handle; foot tread.
Pros: – No bending required – Foot tread provides leverage – Rust-free stainless – Extended guarantee – Quality ash handle
Cons: – Heavier to store – Unnecessary for small container projects
Best for: Most gardeners planting more than a handful of bulbs
5. RHS Burgon & Ball Long Handled Bulb Planter — best premium long-handled
A Royal Horticultural Society-endorsed tool with an angled polished stainless blade that bites into soil with less effort, cutting a 6cm core to approximately 16cm depth for larger bulbs.
Key specs: Long-handled; angled polished stainless blade; 6cm core, around 16cm deep; RHS endorsed.
Pros: – Angled blade penetrates easily – Deep core accommodates large bulbs – Excellent finish – RHS endorsed
Cons: – Among the priciest options – More capability than small gardens require
Best for: Premium quality and larger bulbs
6. Spear & Jackson Long Handled Bulb Planter — best for tough soil
A mirror-polished stainless steel head paired with a waterproofed hardened wooden shaft and wide T-grip. Designed for durability with excellent clay release performance. We could not verify an Amazon UK listing, so check current stock and price with UK retailers.
Key specs: Long-handled; mirror-polished stainless head; weatherproofed hardwood shaft; wide T-grip and foot tread.
Pros: – Tough, weatherproofed handle – Excellent clay release – Wide foot tread
Cons: – Heavier – Prices fluctuate, so waiting for sales is advisable
Best for: Heavy clay and tougher soil
7. Bulb auger drill attachment — best for planting in bulk
A spiral bit attachment that bores neat holes in seconds on soft to medium soil, enabling rapid bulk planting. It requires a reasonably powerful cordless drill. We could not verify a specific UK Amazon listing, so check current options with UK retailers.
Key specs: Cordless drill attachment; spiral auger bit.
Pros: – Extremely fast for bulk planting – Very affordable – Compact storage
Cons: – Needs a decent cordless drill – Struggles in clay and stony ground
Best for: Bulk planting in soft to medium soil
How we chose
We focused on tools currently available from mainstream UK retailers and evaluated build quality and blade material, ease of use in typical British autumn soil, and value. Prices change often with promotions, so see each card for the current price.
Tips for using a bulb planter
Plant bulbs at two to three times their own height, pointed end up. With long-handled tools, twist slightly while pushing to aid core release, then crumble soil back over the bulb. Pre-watering dry soil significantly improves results. For naturalised plantings, scatter and plant bulbs where they fall for an organic appearance. Always clean and dry the head after use, particularly carbon steel models, to prevent rust.
Frequently asked questions
Are long-handled bulb planters worth it?
For planting more than a handful of bulbs, yes. Standing upright with foot tread leverage is gentler on joints and gives better control in firmer soil. Hand planters suffice for containers.
What depth should I plant bulbs?
Plant at two to three times the height of the bulb. Daffodils and tulips typically need 10-15cm depth, while smaller bulbs like crocus need 5-7cm. Depth markings on quality planters simplify this.
Will a bulb planter work in clay soil?
Hand planters and drill augers struggle in heavy clay. Long-handled stainless planters with foot treads manage considerably better, especially when the soil is pre-watered.
Can I use a bulb planter for bedding plants too?
Yes. The neat soil plug removed is also suitable for plug plants, small perennials and module-grown bedding, adding versatility beyond the tool’s primary purpose.
Verdict
For most gardeners, the Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Long Handled Bulb Planter is the one to buy: it saves your back, copes with real British soil, and the 15-year guarantee adds value. The RHS Burgon & Ball suits those prioritising premium quality, while the Spear & Jackson long-handled model is aimed at heavy clay soils. For containers, the Kent & Stowe or Spear & Jackson hand planters suffice. For bulk planting, a drill auger offers remarkable speed. A good bulb planter will reward you with effortless springs for many years to come when properly maintained.
