[compostqueen]

I use a walking stick 

You can use one of those cheapo bulb planters too. They're quite nifty

[Spr0ut]

I don't dig so I haven't got a broken spade handle - narrow width trowel for me.

[42cherries]

I use an old dibber left behind by the previous owners, made from an old spade handle. I've also found that watering well beforehand makes it easier to make the holes. Last year I used a trowel and I struggled to get the leeks in. I found it much easier with the chunky dibber.

Each to their own, I guess!

[surbie100]

I'm planning to use the other end of my hoe - 8ins marked off on it with a white chalk pen.

[Snoop]

I use a 1/12" dia steel tube with a slot  8" up so the soil plug comes out and leaves a clean hole

I use something similar - a bit of old plastic pipe of around the same diameter fitted with another piece inserted through the top to make a T for ease of pushing in (Mr Snoop made this and even padded it with leather for greater comfort). Don't have a slot but a core of soil comes up cleanly. Getting the core out of the pipe can be a challenge. I sometimes need to bash the pipe a bit on a handy stone (lots round here) to loosen it so I can shake it out. The roots go in nicely and it leaves relatively loose rather than compacted soil at the bottom and the sides, so it works well for for watering the leeks in.

[Elm street]

I'm planning to use the other end of my hoe - 8ins marked off on it with a white chalk pen.

That's what I have done this last week 

[Spr0ut]

I use a 1/12" dia steel tube with a slot  8" up so the soil plug comes out and leaves a clean hole

I use something similar - a bit of old plastic pipe of around the same diameter fitted with another piece inserted through the top to make a T for ease of pushing in (Mr Snoop made this and even padded it with leather for greater comfort). Don't have a slot but a core of soil comes up cleanly. Getting the core out of the pipe can be a challenge. I sometimes need to bash the pipe a bit on a handy stone (lots round here) to loosen it so I can shake it out. The roots go in nicely and it leaves relatively loose rather than compacted soil at the bottom and the sides, so it works well for for watering the leeks in.

I like this idea; a length of water waste pipe with a length of broom handle to push the soil plug out with. Now all I need to do is remember it for next year!

[Lardman]

... Getting the core out of the pipe can be a challenge.

This is the very reason I don't do it any more. 10 seconds to create the hole - 15 minutes trying to get the soil out of the pipe. 

[Goosegirl]

Good answers on here - thanks. On my silty soil akin to clay and, even adding compost and new top soil to the raised beds, it is still rather easily compacted. My thoughts exactly about compacting the soil at the bottom of the hole when dibbing. I'm going for the trowel jobbie as it is easier on my hands and doesn't require a lot of strength to pull it out either.

[8doubles]

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.

[grendel]

I use the handle end of my rake for everything, peas, beans , leeks, onions, just walk along move the end and lean, a quick twist as you pull out leaves a nice clean hole, drop the pea / bean / onion in, and flip the rake and rake the soil into the holes, minimal bending if you are a good shot with dropping the bean into the hole.
Grendel

[dugless]

... Getting the core out of the pipe can be a challenge.

This is the very reason I don't do it any more. 10 seconds to create the hole - 15 minutes trying to get the soil out of the pipe. 

That is why I use a steel pipe with a slot 8" up, the soil comes out on it own no banging needed.
I have heavy soil when it is dry you cannot dig it so the steel pipe bashed in with a heavy hammer does the job

[3 allotments]

Used my faithful pointed spade handle 500 times today planting pencil leeks,only another 800 to go tomorrow 

[8doubles]

Used my faithful pointed spade handle 500 times today planting pencil leeks,only another 800 to go tomorrow 

With those amounts to plant a trowel would be an extra days work sore knees and a bad back !

[Ma Lowe]

Old spade/fork handle here. The rate at which hubby is breaking the forks and spades I will be selling them off as dibbers