can make holes on 6-inch oAset centers deep enough to
plant the seedlings. The marker shown here is for a 5-
foot-wide bed and covers slightly more than half the
growing bed. When one reaches the end of a bed, the
marker is simply turned around and lined up with the
holes and pulled down the other side of the bed. This
allows the increased ;exibility that is needed to bridge
over the rounded beds and still make good deep holes.
Once the holes are made, seedlings (or cloves in the case
of garlic) are dropped in the holes and then settled
within the earth and watered in. Using this technique,
two skilled people can plant 621 transplants, a 100-
square-foot bed, in less than 15 minutes.
The wheels on the dibble not only oAer an easy mode
of transport but supply the weight needed to force the
individual dibbles into the ground. The wheels shown in
the photo were old iron wheelbarrow wheels found at a
junk yard—most any wheels will do. The dibble handle
is ;ipped, so the wheels are down for transport and the
handle ;ipped over when lined up on the bed for actual
marking. A well-tilled soil with good soil structure and
correct soil moisture are important to get proper
penetration of the dibble while keeping the holes from
caving in.
Partial Parts List
QTY. MATERIAL
33 1" x 2.5" dowels (old tool handles can be used)
6 1.5" x 1.5" x 36" (dowel support bars)