Posthole Digger using post hole digger to plant shrubs

m3rd · Dec 18, 2004

Thank you for your helpful replies. I think the PHD would certainly be better than digging by hand (it usually takes me 30 min to dig a hole for a moderately sized schrub due to all the rocks). But I can see how rocks can impede progress. With I back hoe you can dig the rock out.

Does anyone know how well the augers wear?; eg. when do I need to replace the cutters.

Thanks

MMM · Dec 18, 2004

On my 24", the flighting is serrated. The sides of the hole are nicely scuffed. Might could do a little of your own with a torch. It doesn't leave as clean of a hole for posts though.

JD3130 · Dec 18, 2004

When I moved to the ranch, I talked to a number of nursery experts about using the PHD for making the holes. They were all against it, in our hard soil here in south TX. A round hole tends to cause the roots to grow in a circle as if they are in a pot. They all suggested a square hole. But, being a lazy fellow, I used the PHD anyway. I drill three hole as close together as I can. Then break out the middle with the hand digger. Works great. Roots can go in all directions. (Note. Don't get them too close, if you break from one hole to another, you can break your pin, took me a couple to learn that one. Have fun!!

Holzster · Dec 18, 2004

I have done it MANY times - just remember not to dig to deep as then the tree/shrub will settle & the tree/shrub will be to deep & could die. Best to dig the last 2-4 inches by hand.

bubenberg · Dec 19, 2004

thanks, happy holidays /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

alco141 · Dec 19, 2004

post hole digger safety,

remember to stay away from the shaft and auger when turning, stay on the tractor seat!!!!, this is one of the most dangerous implements you can own. there are a lot of injuries from people trying to force these things. if you hit a rock, dont try to bull your way through you will jst break a pin, gently move the auger up and down, many times you will find a way around the rock, and i have seen some 6 inch rocks come flying out of the auger with pretty good force, landing 30-40 feet away. so stand clear of the auger. all in all i have been very pleased with the performance of the auger in doing the tasks you mention i think you will be amazed as to the speed that you can make holes and plant. as far as the digging points, i replace the three cutting edges once after 350 holes. i have not replaced the digging point so far, i bought extra cutting edges and have them in the shop when needed.

be safe,
alex

Bob_Skurka · Dec 19, 2004

Using a 12" auger bit I just planted 11 spruce trees ranging from 3' to 6' tall. Soil is hard clay, but no rocks. I dig the holes slightly deeper than the root ball, and I make sure to take a shovel to score or gouge the sides of the holes. I also dig multiple holes, in a triangular pattern and shten scoop out the spoils in the middle with a shovel. If you rock the tractor front & rear slighly while digging the holes, it breaks up the center section between the holes so scooping it out with the shovel is very easy work.

I used to dig down as far as the auger would go and then fill with better soil, compost, etc but I had some problems with plants sinking too far. None of mine died, but several sank. Starting last year I dig only a few inches deeper than the root ball and amend the soil at that point.

If the plants are small, make sure to rough up the sides of the hole so that the roots don't end up "pot bound" inside that hole. The auger bit, especially in clay, can actually polish the sides of the hole and effectively trap the roots inside the hole stunting the plants growth. I like using the PHD because it breaks up the soil making backfilling easier. With my clay soil, I find a BH lifts out a large clump that then has to be broken up (beaten with a shovel!!!) to be used for back fill.

MMM · Dec 19, 2004

It also creates a berm for watering/starter solution. I have marked my nursery auger for correct depth ( All my grafted trees come in identical pots).

RalphVa · Dec 20, 2004

I once rented one of those 2 man post hole diggers (powered by a motor) in NJ with lots of rocks. We dug until the digger about knocked us both over. We'd exit the hole and go on to the next while the wife got the rock(s) out with a long digger bar. Then we'd come back to the hole to finish it.

Did the entire fence around our pool there that way. It was still up near 20 years later when we sold and moved to Singapore.

Ralph

Bob_Skurka · Dec 20, 2004

<font color="red"> I once rented one of those 2 man post hole diggers . . . We dug until the digger about knocked us both over. </font>

The lovely Mrs_Bob and I did that once too. That was how I learned that I needed a tractor!