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Home Made Dibber

februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 827
in Tools and techniques
Has anyone here improvised a dibber? I'm going to be planting some tulip/narcissus/crocus bulbs in my raised beds and a dibber would be the best option but all of those I've looked at have a relatively small diameter. Has anyone DIYed one?
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,126
    I bought one for the 600 crocus I planted last year.
    It was useless as the thin end meant that the when the bulb dropped in there was an air-pocket below the bulb.
    In the end I sawed off the tapered end of the dibber so it was just a little wider than the crocus bulbs and it worked a treat.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,052
    edited September 2022
    Broom handle (or a length cut off one)? The end is rounded rather than pointy.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,045
    A slim tree stake cut down to size might work.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • TheVanguardTheVanguard Posts: 130
    edited September 2022
    I’ve made a set of dibbers, all on the smaller side though for cuttings etc, 

    you can buy various lengths of stainless steel rod from eBay (from memory 306 and 316 stainless with the 316 having better rust resistance) cut to pretty much what ever size you want 

    It’s then just a matter of grinding to a blunt ish point and adding a handle 


  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,540
    People used to make them from old broken fork or spade handles. If you can find a replacement one you could trim it to the size and diameter you want .
    AB Still learning

  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 827
    Some really good suggestions. Thanks 🙂

    Also, @TheVanguard that's impressive!
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,076
    For crocus, i just use a finger.
    A proper bulb planter is cheap and saves a lot of hassle with bigger bulbs. 
    Sunny Dundee
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    I was going to say 'four candles', too! o:)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 804
    I use a frozen sausage.
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,076
    MikeOxgreen said:
    I use a frozen sausage.
    Would that be a chipolata for crocus, and a black pudding for bigger bulbs?
    Sunny Dundee
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