Caleb MorganBy Caleb Morgan

Updated November 2026

The right garden tools for digging holes make planting faster and easier on your back. This guide shows you which tool fits each job, how to size a hole for transplants and posts, and how to keep your digging efficient from start to finish.

Match the Tool to the Hole

Hole size and soil type decide the tool. A narrow planting hole for a shrub needs something different from a deep post hole, and both differ from breaking up a root-filled patch. Before you pick up anything, check how deep and wide the hole needs to be and whether the soil is loose loam, packed clay or gravelly.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Long Handled Garden Tools for Weeding and Digging (2026).

For most home gardeners, three tools cover nearly every job: a round-point shovel, a digging spade and a bulb or hand trowel. A post hole digger or auger handles deeper, narrower holes. If you are unsure how the blade shapes differ, see Shovel vs Spade: Choosing Digging Tools.

Digging Holes Step by Step

  1. Mark the hole. Use a garden hose or spray paint to outline a circle about two to three times the width of the root ball for transplants.
  2. Remove the top sod or mulch first, then dig straight down. Keep the sides as vertical as you can.
  3. Set the depth. For most transplants, the hole should be as deep as the root ball and no deeper, so the crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
  4. Loosen the sides and bottom with the blade tip so roots can push outward.
  5. Check fit with the root ball before backfilling. The top of the root ball should sit about an inch above grade in heavy clay and flush in loam.

Handling Clay, Rocks and Deep Holes

Clay soil clings to blades and compacts in the sides of the hole. Wet clay is especially hard to move, so dig when the soil is slightly moist but not soaked. A spade with a flat, sharp edge slices through clay more cleanly than a rounded shovel. For packed or rocky ground, use a pick or mattock to break the surface, then switch to a shovel to lift the loosened material.

For post holes 18 inches deep or more, a manual post hole digger removes soil with less effort than a shovel. Auger-style bits on a hand drill or powered auger work well in soft soil, but they struggle with large rocks. Check for buried utility lines before any deep digging, and call 811 in the US to have lines marked.

  • Round-point shovel: The curved, pointed blade cuts into soil and lifts loose material, making it useful for general planting holes. View on Amazon
  • Post hole digger: Two long handles and scoop blades remove narrow, deep columns of soil without a lot of force. View on Amazon
  • Hand trowel: Ideal for small bulbs, seedlings and tight spaces where a shovel would be too large. View on Amazon

Common Mistakes

  • Digging the hole too deep. Soil settling under a plant can bury the crown and cause rot.
  • Making the hole bowl-shaped. Walls that slope inward trap water and restrict root growth.
  • Digging in soggy clay. Smearing the sides creates a glazed surface that roots struggle to penetrate.
  • Skipping a dull blade check. A dull edge takes more force and tires you faster.
  • Ignoring tool storage. Blades left wet rust, so dry them after each session. For storage ideas, see Garden Storage for Tools: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Tidy Shed.

FAQ

What is the best tool for digging planting holes?

A round-point shovel works well for most planting holes. For small plants and bulbs, a hand trowel is a better fit.

How deep should a planting hole be?

Dig it as deep as the root ball and roughly two to three times as wide. Avoid digging deeper, since settling can lower the plant too far.

Can I dig holes in rocky soil without a pick?

Small stones can be removed with a shovel and a little patience. Larger rocks usually need a pick or mattock first. If you hit a large obstruction, consult a professional landscaper before forcing it.

Conclusion

Choosing the right garden tools for digging holes saves time and protects your back. Match the tool to the hole size and soil, follow a clear digging sequence, and keep your blades clean and sharp. With these habits, planting and post setting become much more manageable.

Ready to choose one?

Caleb Morgan

About Caleb Morgan

Caleb Morgan is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our garden hand tools & equipment guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.