Tanaka 745202 3-Inch-by-12-Inch Bulb Planting Auger Bit

The soil in my area is solid clay. Unless it's just rained it's murder to try and dig down to plant bulbs or other plants. I wasn't sure about this auger, but I thought it was worth a try. Oh my goodness! It caught me by surprise. I pressed the button and zzzzzipppp, I had 6 inches of hole immediately. I planted 30 bulbs all over the garden in less than 30 minutes. Why didn't I think of getting this before?!

I purchased this to dig dozens of holes in garden beds that had become heavily rooted from weeds and nearby trees. A hand trowel and even a full sized shovel were not cutting it (literally). This auger bit on my 20v drill turned an arduous job into a quick and easy task. If it became stuck on a particularly tough root then it was easy enough to reverse the drill to pull the bit out and try again. I also found it very useful for loosening and mixing potting soil.

Good quality (steel)

Bottom line: get this auger bit ...it works well, but be prepared if you've got hard ground. I have very hard soil (in SoCal, suburb of Los Angeles) where my hill was dry, dirt compacted tough, and seemingly all the soil in my valley is heavy with minerals. Factor in our low annual rainfall and you have seriously hard soil here (if it has not been worked/tilled beforehand). I had to get 12" diam x 12" deep holes for rose bushes into this hard dirt, and on a hill which made it even more difficult for me. I was skeptical because of my terrain, but this auger bit worked. I had to go slow, (slow drill speed as well not too much downward pressure), and it bit into the ground slowly, but surely. And with particularly hard ground as I have, go in at angles so the bit doesn't have to bite squarely into the ground, which helps it chomp little by little, which makes your progress much better. My particular case was stubborn, took lots of muscling, sweat, and time, but it worked! BTW, I was also using a regular ol' Ryobi 18v brushless drill which worked like a champ under quite a bit of continuous use, and though each battery did last a good long time, I still had to replace it because my stinkin ground was so tough! I highly recommend you check the chuck every few minutes, use slow speed, and adjust the clutch carefully for your comfort and safety. This clutch thing is important because if you've got a drill with good torque (this Ryobi does), and the bit catches and stops, that drill will torque your wrists which will hurt you if you're not ready for it. I do have strong hands/arms but still decided to use the clutch (set tight with just a bit of release) simply to avoid tweaking my wrists. My only reason for 4 stars and not 5 is I wish the tip of the bit were sharper to facilitate "bite" into hard earth. OK, so all that was for brutally tough ground. I tried this auger bit on tilled soil and it is perfect ...no issue whatsoever; you'll breeze through it so for soft-medium hard dirt, I'd give this bit a 5 for sure.

The media could not be loaded. I am thrilled with the Power Planter DIY Guru Garden Auger! This 3"x12" drill bit hole digger has revolutionized the way I tackle gardening tasks. If you're a gardener or landscaper, this tool is an absolute must-have.First and foremost, let's talk about efficiency. This auger makes digging holes an absolute breeze. Whether I'm planting bulbs, installing fence posts, or creating holes for shrubs, the Power Planter gets the job done in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional methods.The 3-inch diameter is perfect for a wide range of tasks. It effortlessly cuts through soil, even in tough or compacted areas. The depth of 12 inches is ideal for most planting needs, providing ample room for roots to grow and thrive.One of the standout features is the 3/8" non-slip hex drive. This ensures a secure connection to my drill, giving me confidence that the auger will stay in place during use. The hex drive design is also excellent for preventing slipping, even in dense or rocky soil.The build quality of the Power Planter is outstanding. It's sturdy and durable, built to withstand the rigors of regular use in the garden. The construction is solid, and the auger bit is sharp and efficient, making quick work of any digging task.Additionally, the versatility of this tool is impressive. Not only is it great for digging holes, but it also serves as a fantastic bulb planter. I've used it to effortlessly create perfect holes for bulbs, ensuring they're planted at the ideal depth for optimal growth.In conclusion, the Power Planter DIY Guru Garden Auger is a gardener's best friend. It's efficient, versatile, and built to last. If you're tired of back-breaking manual digging or want to speed up your planting process, I highly recommend adding this auger to your gardening arsenal. It's a game-changer that will save you time and effort while producing fantastic results.