Planting leeks - dibber or trowel?

Years ago, I bought a lawn aerator, which was basically four hollow tines, on a square frame, which you trod into the turf to make holes.

It didn't work at all well, as of course, the tines clogged up immediately, so I've taped a Spear and Jackson metal pointed dribbler to the bottom, and make the holes with that, also having a handy foot to assist the downward pressure.

It does make life so much easier - there's a pic of it somewhere here...

This year I'm going to try using a long-handled bulb planter 

Quote from: 8doubles on July 07, 2014, 11:28

I used to plant lots of leeks so dibber it was!

Also when watering in, water to the side of the hole to take a bit of soil down or you can float the freshly planted leeklets back out.

Ah - that's a good idea, though I found I didn't have that problem when I used my trowel, possibly because the soil was looser around the hole edges. Now - how do I stop my "talking tortie cat" Daphne from suddenly having a playful moment and runnning off with a newly-planted leek like she did last year!! 

You can use a dibber or a trowel for that !

My friend had to have a serious word with his cat for running up and down a row of seedlings inside cloches !

I believe VET was mentioned !

Goosey, here's the one I made earlier...

Brilliant, shame the spikes are not wider as then you could dib four holes in one go.

I water the ground pretty well so the hole does not collapse back in once I've made it.  I use an upturned hoe and get a good leverage as I put my weight on it to make the hole, and give it a twist as it comes out.  Nice and clean