skip to main content

Water powered Garden Dig-It??

17 years ago

Hi,

My hubby and I will (eventually) fence part of our yard, the front with picket fence, the back with wire. My question...has anyone had any experience with the Garden Dig-it, a device that digs holes using water pressure? I've included a link to a description of the item.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Dig-It

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

tkendr01
17 years ago
This is a great device! It is the one weed-digging device that my wife can easily use and it works very well. The green plastic handle broke off on one side when she was using it, so we ordered another one. The broken one still works but it is necessary to use a stick to block the valve open.
It is great for digging out weeds that are among the roots of another plant - no need to dig up the other plant, just fill in the hole where the weed came out.

I assume that this is for digging fence postholes. What kind of posts will you be using and what kind of soil do you have along the proposed fencelines? The Dig-it will certainly make holes but they will probably only be about 1-2 inches in diameter, even though the depth will be OK.

The weeds and volunteer trees that we hand-pull with the Dig-it are usually only 1/2" diameter. For larger stuff, we use the tool to create a pocket of mud around the weed from several sides, then wrap a chain around it and remove with a truck rim or connect it to a pickup truck hitch if more power is required.
Pamela Church
Original Author
17 years ago
We have a combination of sand and loam. One of the problems we've had in the past is old roots and trash. Our yard had been the backyard dump site of an old farmhouse that burned probably 30 years ago. We've found old bottles, crockery, pieces of tools and farm equipment, and about a million Old Milwaukee cans, lol.

We'll be using 4 X 4 posts in the front and metal fence posts in the back.

It sounds like the Dig-it might be helpful with the metal, but we might have to rent a power auger for the 4 x 4's in the front.
Related Discussions
Digging out a vegetable garden
Q
Comments (18)
Your clay soil beneath - sounds like a description of a good deal of our region's problem. One of the "quick" ways to overcome the problem - is to grow in containers. Although for many of us, the containers have become larger and larger - as our desires or needs dictate. Box growing has become quite popular. My particular type is made out of 1 x 6 inch cedar board boxes that are doubled, cut into 3 ft. width x 6 ft. length sizes - now have 9 in all. The soil inside is 12 inches deep, and sits on top of ground (top soil over clay subsoil). As you can see that provides a growing depth space of at least 18 to 24 inches deep before hitting clay. This method has proven to be very easy for folks - like me -with limited physical strength - who are eager to garden without waiting for amendments to take their natural course. I grow most of our veggies that way, except for potato, and cooking onions - which we use a lot of and would require more space. But it is a great alternative if you only want a few fresh veggies each day. Also it helps to be able to have a longer growing time - temperature wise, as it is not necessary to grow all at once to take advantage of the climate in which you live. Also, introducing lots and lots of compost and manure to your soil - and let the worms and micro-herd dig deep mixing your soil for you. (may take awhile). Just my 2 c's. bejay
...See More
skunks are digging holes all over my garden
Q
Comments (3)
The skunks are looking for food and you probably have a source they like, grubs. What the store tried to sell you was a poison that would kill the grubs, and if they told you it would disolve the grubs I would tend to not go there again because of that misinformation. You could use the sprinkler, but the skunk may not like getting wet and might leave a calling card that is not pleasant. Check your garden for grub population by digging a hole 1 foot square and about 4 inches deep and count the number of grubs you find. 5 or less is not much of a problem that really would need control while 10 will indicate the need to use some means of control. Bacillus popilliae, Milky Spore Disease, is one means of control specific to those grubs. Parasitic nematodes are another means of control. Both should be applied in mid July to early August so the are inplace when the eggs that Ma Beetle lays hatch out.
...See More
Using carpet in no-dig garden
Q
Comments (34)
It's been ages since I've dropped by but I can't believe this old thread has been resurrected! Five years on and the carpet has worked well enough to allow the shrubs and trees to grow and start generating their own weed-suppressing mulch by shedding leaves. However, in the early days the weeds would sometimes germinate on top of the carpet, and I swear the onion weed would sometimes germinate through it! You have to kill that onion weed by whatever means possible: I selected a section and kept weeding it every week. A bit obsessive perhaps, but if you choose to use weed killer you'll have to apply it several times: once will not kill those monsters! Carpet was well worth using though, so long as you mulch heavily with newspapers underneath it to suppress most of the weeds from growing through it. Hi Alison, *very* long time no see :-) Years ago you sent me some brugmansia cuttings but you would not believe the brug seedlings I have growing now--two double-pinks among them. I'll post a fews pics over in the Oz Garden Gallery if I can remember how ;-)
...See More
Cats digging in garden
Q
Comments (52)
For those of you using detterents which advertise "natural oil's" in them such as eucalypt, pine and ti tree please be aware that constant use of these products cause the soil to 'repel' water. I.e. water running off and not being absorbed. I love cats, I love dogs. I have neither, I get miffed when my neighbors dog digs up my seedlings, marks my roses and leaves squishy messages behind. If I catch the dog it will be delivered to that neighbor (along with it's brown messages) with a stern warning and an invoice for the damaged plants and time taken to clean up after the dog. I don't expect it to be paid, but it does make it seem 'official' like you have been very patient and thourough with your investigations. I've found that some animals dislike certain herbs and some prefer certain herbs. Certainly try and plant your own garden with Catnip and Catmint to try and deter your cat from wandering into other peoples gardens. With dogs, I've found that a few soft drink bottles filled with holographic pieces of paper and water in their favourite spots stop them from digging. Along with a thick layer of tan bark. My lawn is a different story. Perhaps I won't buy 'people, cat and dog friendly' snail pellets any more? However I doubt it. I couldn't kill any animal, nuisance or not.
...See More
tkendr01
17 years ago
Are the metal fence posts like pipe (such as used with chain link fabric) or solid steel T-posts with bumps every few inches? If they are T-posts, you would be better served with a post-driver to slam them into the soil, though the Dig-it would do as well.
Wood 4x4 posts really need at least a 6" hole in order to make room for concrete mix.
nod702
17 years ago
With that type of soil, i think i would use post-hole-diggers for the 4x4s and like tkendr01 said use a post driver for the metal posts. I recently dug 42 holes 2 feet deep in Tennessee red clay and it wasn't too bad and i'm 68 years old. Another thing i did was coat the bottom two feet of the 8 foot treated posts with roof cement, the kind you can paint on with a brush. Even though the posts were pressure treated, and for ground contact after a few years they become terimite fodder.
Pamela Church
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the tips. I'll print this and pass it along to my hubby.
scmusician
12 years ago
I love the Dig It but after years of use it needs to be replaced. I don't know where I can get a new one. Any help will be appreciated. I'm at a loss without this super device.
bh13850
10 years ago
Hi - I have one, tested it, worked great, but I haven't used it in 5+ years and have forgotten how and of course lost the instructions. Does anyone have a copy of the instructions, or could anyone even just give a summary of how to use it? Thanks!

Related Stories

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Anemone Canadensis Adds Pizzazz to Water’s Edges

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Canadian anemone along pond, lake or stream edges for a splash of white flowers in late spring

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?

By Jen Dalley //

What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home

COMMUNITY Simple Acts: The Unsung Power of a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

There are many ways to be a good neighbor, and they're often easier than you think

DECORATING GUIDES Simple Pleasures: Digging in the Attic

By Laura Gaskill

Sift through forgotten things to bring back memories and inspire stories — and maybe even yield a treasure or two

DECORATING GUIDES The '70s Are Back. Can Ya Dig It?

By Becky Harris

No need to cringe. These 21 groovy blasts from the past are updated to look fabulous today

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Patio Power: 12 Ways to Energize Your Outdoor Room

By Becky Harris

From free and easy to pro skills required, we give you a range of options for boosting the look of your patio for summertime entertaining

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: A New Look for Former Student Digs

By Natalie Wain

An ill-treated Victorian in England becomes a more open, extended and aesthetically appealing family home

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

Sponsored

More Discussions

How long to grind each chainsaw link while sharpening?

12

drain valve for fuel

1

Question about TraxGarden hoe..........

2

chipper not starting

2

Wood chipper/grinder you can recommend?

1