DIY Guru Auger Review: Putting This Garden Auger to the Test
Digging holes by hand has to be one of the least enjoyable parts of gardening. That’s why so many gardeners are turning to a garden auger to speed up the process and save their hands and backs from unnecessary strain. The DIY Guru Auger is a compact yet powerful attachment that turns your cordless drill into a fast and efficient planting tool, making it easier to dig in all types of soil.
Eric Seider from Planting Pioneers tested the DIY Guru Auger in a patch of clay-heavy ground, which is a tough condition to face when planting. The results, captured in his video review, highlight just how effective this garden auger drill bit can be when compared to traditional hand tools.
Why Choose an Auger Drill Bit for Planting?
The answer is simple: speed and efficiency. Planting bulbs, annuals, or even small shrubs often means bending over and digging dozens of holes. Traditional hand tools like trowels and digging knives can get the job done, but they’re slow, uneven, and exhausting on your wrists and back.
A garden hole digger like the DIY Guru Auger attaches to your cordless drill and does the hard work for you. You can have perfectly sized planting holes in no time that are ready for bulbs, edibles, or even soil amendments.
Eric’s First Impressions
Eric was told about the DIY Guru Auger from a trusted source. His good friend, Billy from Perma Pastures Farm, had been using it in nearly 100% clay soil and found that it “made a world of difference.”
Taking that recommendation, Eric gave it a try and was immediately impressed with the quality. As he explained in his review: “Definitely seems like a well-made, durable product. I mean, it did the business in heavy clay, and that’s gonna be one of the worst planting conditions you can experience.”
That quality comes from its construction. The DIY Guru Auger is made in the USA with a ⅝-inch solid steel shaft, 10-gauge flighting, and a ⅜-inch non-slip hex drive. It’s built to last and ready to tackle some of the most challenging ground conditions you’ll face.
Real-World Test: Digging in Clay Soil
The most impressive part of Eric’s review was the side-by-side comparison of the auger versus a digging knife. While the digging knife took about one full minute to dig a planting hole, the DIY Guru Auger dug a comparable hole in just 17 seconds. That’s more than three times faster. For anyone planting bulbs or trees, the time savings add up quickly.
As Eric put it: “Definitely an improvement over hand digging, and in the right conditions, I think it would be a heck of a tool.”
Features That Make a Difference
The DIY Guru Auger is designed specifically with gardening and planting in mind. Some of the standout features include:
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3 inches wide by 12 inches long: Ideal for bulbs, bedding plants, and small shrubs.
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Digs holes up to 11 inches deep: Perfect depth for most bulbs and seedlings.
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Designed to leave a small amount of loose soil in the bottom to help new roots establish.
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Multiple color options: Available in black, pink, lime, and purple.
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Compatible with standard cordless drills: 18V or larger.
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Ready to use right out of the box: Just attach it to your drill and start digging.
This garden auger is also versatile enough to go beyond planting. It’s also helpful for mixing fertilizer, soil amendments, or even paint, as well as weeding and setting small traps.
Who Benefits Most from a Planting Auger?
One of Eric’s closing thoughts summed up the real value of the tool: “If you’re establishing a new area, you’re pioneering some rough country, doing a lot of tree planting, I think it would be a huge asset.”
This means homesteaders, landscapers, market gardeners, or even homeowners with tough soil conditions can all benefit. Whether you’re planting hundreds of bulbs in the fall or prepping a new garden bed in the spring, this garden hole digger turns what could be hours of exhausting labor into a much quicker task.
Closing Thoughts
Eric’s review and real-world test proved what gardeners everywhere are, or should be, discovering: a garden auger drill bit like the DIY Guru Auger is a game changer. It’s faster, easier, and more efficient than hand digging, and it’s built strong enough to handle even compacted clay.
If you’re looking for an auger drill bit for planting that can save you time, reduce strain, and help you tackle tough soil conditions, the DIY Guru Auger is worth adding to your toolbox. Available in multiple colors and ready to use right out of the box, it’s the perfect tool to make planting enjoyable again.
