Heavy Duty Bulb and Bedding Plant Auger 28 In. Long by 2.75 In. Diam.

I live in central New England where we are blessed with soil that seems to produce rocks and stones as if they were mushrooms. Early New England farmers would clear their fields of rocks only to have more appear the next spring (frost heaves bring up the endless supply of rocks and stones left by the glaciers). Nevertheless, I was hopeful. As suggested, I waited until we had a heavy rain to help "loosen" the soil. I used a 3/8" corded drill with a keyed chuck. I didn't see a flat side on the auger rod but nevertheless, the drill held the auger despite the assault and battle we went through together. I tried in 3 different places in my yard - I was barely able to make a 1 inch starter hole before hitting a rock. Once the point hits a rock, it's not going anywhere. I tried turning it at a slight angle as it shows in one of the photos but that really didn't help. The auger put up a valiant fight but we just weren't getting anywhere. I admitted defeat and hauled out my Mantis rototiller and tilled an area that I had used last summer for a small veggie patch. With the ground broken up, the auger was able to advance and I was able to make 30 holes for tulip bulbs in a matter of minutes. I also used the auger to mix my neglected compost barrel. When the auger got tangled in some dried tomato vines, I was able to put the drill into reverse and back out, so to speak. Although it couldn't perform the miracle of cutting through rocks like a hot knife through butter that I was hoping for, I was pleased with its eventual performance. It also proved to be well-made: the rod never bent and the spiral blade is welded on strongly. The only improvement I can think of would be if they added markings to the blade indicating inches so you would know how deep you've gone.

We had bought several more cheaply made bulb augers, which worked poorly from the start, then quickly tore apart when they hit rocks in the rocky soil of our mountain cabin. Then I found THIS auger! It works fantastically well with my Milwaukee 1/2" drill, pulverizing lumpy soil into fine planting dirt as it goes. I have hit many rocks in the months I have had these, and it either breaks the rock, kicking rock chunks to the surface, throws out the entire rock from the hole, or jams against it.... WATCH OUT if you have a very powerful drill like my 1/2" Milwaukee, or it could easily break a wrist! BUT... it never breaks! Just keeps on digging! I even use it now to dig holes for larger plants such as 3 or even 5 gallon size potted plants. Just make several adjacent holes, and angle each outward as you do it, connecting all into one larger hole. I bought two, thinking the first would quickly break as all the others had done, but I have never even had to touch my spare. I HIGHLY recommend this auger!

I was somewhat skeptical at first but I have to say this thing works well. I used it to mix 8 big compost bins (4' diameter, 3' high and packed with leaves, grass, wood chips, veggie trimmings, coffee grinds .....). I changed the battery after 4 of these bins but the drill was not really dead yet. I just wanted a fresh battery for the remaining 4 bins. I also tried drilling a 2 foot hole in my garden. No problem. Totally satisfied.

This is such a great tool! It's the perfect height for me to use without hurting my back (5'4") as I make holes. I accidentally found another use for the tool that I was so excited about! I was making many holes for bulbs in the flower bed and I caught a piece of bindweed. It wrapped that sucker clear around the bottom of the auger and I was able to yank out bindweed that I wasn't able to get to. I tell you, I went around the whole yard wrapping that devil weed around the auger and pulling it out. (I am NOT suggesting doing this with yours, that's NOT what this is made to do) I'm just sharing what I found by accident.The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is; my husband had to flatten the shank so it wouldn't spin when we used it with the drill. With the flattened shank, it IS a 5-star product.

The auger arrived in new condition and worked as expected in an area of the yard with minimal roots. Do not expect it to work in areas where your tree limbs shadow the ground, this is where the large roots grow and it will not cut through them. I'm a weak 54 yo woman. If you are a man of average strength, use a post digger as a neighbor who felt sorry for me did for me. He had no problems getting through roots in no time. I just don't have the strength to do that and that is why I bought this. It will be great for putting in bulbs this fall in full sun areas, no tree roots.

It works great for making holes in the ground... I used it to make fence post holes for a couple of posts I was using for an arbor and I made the holes in about 20-30 seconds! I'll use it for transplanting seedlings into the garden in a few weeks.Okay, now it's been a few weeks and I love it still! Works great for making holes for transplanting stuff... perfect size and great depth - I have to watch it because in just a few seconds it will make a really deep hole. Highly recommended if you want to put out a lot of transplants. I did not till my garden this year - just sprayed roundup on the winter weeds and went out with the auger and made my rows. Easy!

I was able to plant my annuals in just 25% of the normal time. Plus drilling the holes while standing allowed me to plan the layout better. The only time I was on my knees bending over was to push in the dirt around the plants. (Side note: buy some Husky construction knee pads at Home Depot and you can kneel all day) The seller must have read some previous reviews because they slightly ground flat three sides near the drill so the auger doesn't slip. Note, the ability to drill in hard ground or in compost depends on the size and power of your drill, the blades are not sharp at all so don't believe for a second that it will cut any size tree roots. I would not buy any smaller diameter auger for bedding plants as you need room to position depth and this size was perfect. Overall quality is good. My brother-in-law liked it so much he bought his own through Amazon.