Brits are gearing up for another summer of garden transformations, but it’s not a shiny new mower or state-of-the-art trimmer that’s stealing the spotlight – it’s an old-school tool that’s unexpectedly earning hero status among gardeners over 50.

The humble post hole digger, once the preserve of fence installers and professional landscapers, is fast becoming the must-have item for anyone who wants to make light work of garden chores without punishing their back and joints.

According to Sophie Willoughby, an RHS-trained horticulturalist, this sturdy tool has become her secret weapon for all kinds of jobs around the garden.

"I used to think a post hole digger was just for, well, posts," Sophie laughs. "But now I use it all over the garden - for new plants, bulbs, even setting up solar garden lights. It’s the best thing I’ve added to my tool shed in years."

For older gardeners, digging can be one of the most physically demanding tasks especially with a standard shovel that demands constant bending and heavy lifting. The post hole digger offers a more upright, controlled alternative.

"It saves my back from all that bending,” Sophie says. "And it’s so much tidier. I’ve even used it to plant small trees - no mess, no drama."

And it’s not just about digging fence post holes. This unlikely hero is proving its worth in all kinds of surprising ways:

• Planting shrubs and perennials without disturbing surrounding soil
• Digging holes for solar lights, bird feeder poles, and parasol stands
• Creating drainage holes or space for soakaway pipes
• Setting up garden screens or trellises- Placing supports for climbing plants like clematis or sweet peas

The team at Ready Set Supplied, leading tool suppliers, say they’ve seen a sharp rise in orders for post hole diggers this season – and they’re keen to share a few tricks for getting the best results.

"In summer, the ground can be rock-hard. A light watering the evening before can help the digger cut in smoothly,” say the Ready Set experts. "Just don’t overdo it or you’ll be scooping up sludge."

When it comes to technique, they recommend keeping things simple: "Insert the digger straight down, squeeze the handles to trap the soil, and lift. No twisting or yanking it’s more efficient and easier on the arms."

The best part is that manual post hole digger doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. With decent models starting at under £30, it’s an affordable upgrade that could help older gardeners enjoy their hobby for years longer without the aches and pains.

"Gardening should be fun, not physically draining," Sophie says. "With this tool, I’m doing more planting, more building, and I feel less sore afterwards. I genuinely wish I’d discovered it years ago."

So whether you’re planting bulbs, putting up a bird feeder, it might be time to follow Sophie’s lead. The post hole digger isn’t just for posts anymore - it might just be your new best friend this summer.