Planting a 150 ft row of bushes. What is the best attachment to use?

[future_vision]

1 gallon pots are less than 7” across.
2 gallon pots are less than 9” across.

If you soil is loam, a hand post hole digger would be quicker in the pictures you posted for moving around in the debris, than trying to maneuver a machine in there.

I have sandy loam and can dig a 10” hole a foot deep in about a minute with a post hole digger. I’d guess I could dig 50 holes like that, plant the bushes and be done in about half a day.

Thanks. Are you talking with a shovel or a gas powered post hole digger? My main concern with gas powered are the rocks. There are enough to cause problems I think.

 

[MossRoad]

I’m talking about a hand operated post hole digger like this, a long handled shovel, and a digging bar like this if I hit a rock. Those are small holes and they don’t have to be 2’ deep. You generally want to make a hole twice the size of a container in diameter, and not much deeper. Tip the plant out of the container, and put it in the hole. Maybe add some loosened soil under it to bring the plant up to the same height it was in the container, score up the roots if it’s root bound, add soil around it, pack it in and water. Maybe mix in some balance fertilizer to the soil that you backfill with before packing it down. Make a little dirt moat around the outer edge of the hole to hold water and off you go.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

If you have someone that can help you the 2 man augers are really good. This one is at Home Depot by me. I assume you would have one nearby as well. It will deal with rocks and roots pretty well. If you hit something too big just move a foot or so and try again, if it can't move a foot skip it and come back with a rock bar and manual post hole diggers for that hole.

They also have these. I have not personally used one but I have heard they work well also.

 

[M59]

Here is another option similar but different than Ground Hog. Find a place that rents the below.

 

[future_vision]

1 gallon pots are less than 7” across.
2 gallon pots are less than 9” across.

If you soil is loam, a hand post hole digger would be quicker in the pictures you posted for moving around in the debris, than trying to maneuver a machine in there.

I have sandy loam and can dig a 10” hole a foot deep in about a minute with a post hole digger. I’d guess I could dig 50 holes like that, plant the bushes and be done in about half a day.

I just saw a 1 gallon pot and the bushes are definitely in bigger pots. I'd say 2.5-3 gallons.

 

[future_vision]

1-2 gal pot's? They are only 6" tops in diameter. I use a 9" auger for those, a 12" auger for 3 gal pots. For bigger trees, I usually do 3 holes, in a triangle pattern, each hole almost touching. I have done holes almost 3' across using the 12" auger.

Do you have a tiller already? If not, they are probably 3-4 times more expensive than a post hole digger. A PHD can be had for about $8-850 w/ an auger.

How far apart are the holes / bushes going to be? If only a couple feet, using a plow would probably work. If they are further apart, you'll be moving / digging a lost more dirt than you have to. Plus, you'll still be digging some by hand.

A rented hand auger would work and get the job done, but be prepared to get beat up and tired. It will also take what seems to be forever.....

I think a PHD would be the easiest to accomplish what you need. You can also sell it very close to what you paid for it after your done.

Pots are definitely bigger I think. I have to get over to the property and check. I think they are probably closer to 2.5-3 gal. The plan is similar to this.

 

[future_vision]

Tractor supply has county line phd for less than 600. Add another 150-190 per auger depending on size.

Are they any good?

 

[future_vision]

I’m talking about a hand operated post hole digger like this, a long handled shovel, and a digging bar like this if I hit a rock. Those are small holes and they don’t have to be 2’ deep. You generally want to make a hole twice the size of a container in diameter, and not much deeper. Tip the plant out of the container, and put it in the hole. Maybe add some loosened soil under it to bring the plant up to the same height it was in the container, score up the roots if it’s root bound, add soil around it, pack it in and water. Maybe mix in some balance fertilizer to the soil that you backfill with before packing it down. Make a little dirt moat around the outer edge of the hole to hold water and off you go.

View attachment 754919 View attachment 754920

I could use the workout but 50 holes in half a day? These holes would be bigger than I first thought. Still. That's a ton of work but I'm up for it.

 

[alexpops]

The augers are fine. I have 6/9/and 12 inch from them, no problems. Can't speak to the 3 pt PHD. Didn't need it, as I picked up a new Mahindra version (old stock in original crate) @ auction for 1/2 what TSC wanted a few years ago. Other than Paint, the Mahindra doesn't look any different than the County Line. For what I do, as long as the gear box will stand up to the PTO, I don't really care ... its a hole & will be filled with something (fence post/concrete/tree/bush/whatever). I've gone down the full length of the auger, so maybe 3.5-4 feet with 12 inch? to plant phone pole sections as Gate posts & lots of 2 ft 9 inch holes for 4x4 posts holding up field fence. Lot's easier than the "one man/gas powered" I was using before the tractor.

 

[alexpops]

I did need the handheld digger, as well, to clean out loose dirt in the bottom of the holes, as the auger will drop some back in. probably doesn't matter for bushes, but I was setting in concrete & wanted clean holes.

 

[future_vision]

The augers are fine. I have 6/9/and 12 inch from them, no problems. Can't speak to the 3 pt PHD. Didn't need it, as I picked up a new Mahindra version (old stock in original crate) @ auction for 1/2 what TSC wanted a few years ago. Other than Paint, the Mahindra doesn't look any different than the County Line. For what I do, as long as the gear box will stand up to the PTO, I don't really care ... its a hole & will be filled with something (fence post/concrete/tree/bush/whatever). I've gone down the full length of the auger, so maybe 3.5-4 feet with 12 inch? to plant phone pole sections as Gate posts & lots of 2 ft 9 inch holes for 4x4 posts holding up field fence. Lot's easier than the "one man/gas powered" I was using before the tractor.

Ok. So you were using a 3pt PHD just not the one from TSC but you used TSC augers(drives/bits or whatever you call them)

 

[alexpops]

yup. The auger is the working end that hits rocks/roots/etc. & TSC's version has replaceable bolt on tips. The rest is simply a gearbox on a boom & drive shaft connected to PTO & 3 pt attachment frame to mount on the tractor for lifting/dropping.

 

[MossRoad]

I just saw a 1 gallon pot and the bushes are definitely in bigger pots. I'd say 2.5-3 gallons.

Well, that’s quite different!

 

[MossRoad]

I could use the workout but 50 holes in half a day? These holes would be bigger than I first thought. Still. That's a ton of work but I'm up for it.

Two summers ago I dug 16 holes 4’ deep by 16” across by hand. Easy peasy! I live on sandy loam on top of sand. I did consume a lot of Gatorade. Your mileage may vary.

I’d say try one or two holes by hand. If it’s OK, continue. If it sucks, buy or rent some power equipment or an attachment for you tractor.

Only you can be the judge of what works best for you.

 

[alexpops]

Try the clamshell digger like MossRoad said, you'll want one any way if you ever dig holes deep. AgriSupply also has 3pt PHDs, & augers look the same but cheaper than TSC. Not sure about your ground, but the cutters on the augers help loads with tree roots as long as you drop slow & don't screw yourself in. I find AgriSupply generally has better pricing than TSC, BUT not sure how shipping to New England from Georgia would affect that. FWIW my digger is identical to the Agrisupply medium duty or TSC's AgKNX 1500. If you go that route, get plenty of shear bolts.

 

[alexpops]

You could also try one of these, but be ready for bruised ribs sore arms & back.

Gas Powered Earth Auger

Amazing deals on this Gas Powered Earth Auger 50:1 at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[future_vision]

I’m talking about a hand operated post hole digger like this, a long handled shovel, and a digging bar like this if I hit a rock. Those are small holes and they don’t have to be 2’ deep. You generally want to make a hole twice the size of a container in diameter, and not much deeper. Tip the plant out of the container, and put it in the hole. Maybe add some loosened soil under it to bring the plant up to the same height it was in the container, score up the roots if it’s root bound, add soil around it, pack it in and water. Maybe mix in some balance fertilizer to the soil that you backfill with before packing it down. Make a little dirt moat around the outer edge of the hole to hold water and off you go.

View attachment 754919 View attachment 754920

I'm thinking drain spade and a regular spade to clean out the hole. Yes. Those are Harbor Freight images. That drain spade is $15 compared to Lowe's which is something like $54. I can break a couple and still be ahead buy from HF.

 

[future_vision]

You could also try one of these, but be ready for bruised ribs sore arms & back.

Gas Powered Earth Auger

Amazing deals on this Gas Powered Earth Auger 50:1 at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Yeah. That's my main concern. Chainsawing aggravated my wrist joints from time to time so I can only imagine what that thing will do. Granted, it probably depends on the quality of the machine. Myt understanding is some have springs that take some of the jerkiness out when you get snagged but it doesn't get rid of it all.

 

[/pine]

There's more to digging holes than just the how...

What's the Science behind digging a hole?

I could google it but that's not as much fun. My question is what's the science behind digging a hole? It seems when a hole is dug and filled back in there is never enough dirt to level the hole, why is that?

www.tractorbynet.com

And be sure to check the moon phase or else you'll end up with way too much (or not enough) earth left over...hehehe...!

 

[LouNY]

You say New England and your picture shows a lot of rocks.
My limited experience with 3 pt mounted augers in rocky ground with hardpan is that they are just about worthless.
Every time you catch a rock 4" or larger they jump all around digging an oval hole and then it starts just bouncing up and down.
If I was going to try and auger the holes I would rent a SSQA mounted hydraulic powered unit, if your tractor
can't power it rent the skidsteer that can.