Chapin 8701B Seeder Review: A Game-Changer for Gardeners

First Impressions

Have you ever thrown your hands up in frustration after spending hours hunched over, painstakingly planting seeds one at a time? I know I have! Last spring, after my back threatened to stage a full-blown rebellion during vegetable planting, I knew I needed a better system. That’s when I decided to try the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder.

Right out of the box, I was impressed. The powder-coated steel frame felt sturdy, and the seed plates seemed well-made. It definitely felt like a quality tool. Initial assembly was a breeze, and I was soon itching to hit the garden. The biggest benefit I discovered right away? Perfectly spaced rows with minimal effort!

Now, let’s dig into the details of how the Chapin 8701B performed in my garden, covering everything from seed plate selection to overall maneuverability.

Key Features & Specifications

Here’s the requested features section for the Chapin seeder, formatted to your specifications:

Versatile Seed Plates for Diverse Planting

The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates is a game-changer for anyone who plants a variety of crops. The inclusion of six different seed plates is more than just a convenience; it’s a carefully considered design that allows you to handle up to 20 different seed types. We’re talking everything from those tiny radish seeds to larger corn kernels, and everything in between such as baby lima beans, medium peas, sunflower, cucumber, beets, spinach, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, onions, peppers and turnips. Swapping between plates is straightforward, a simple clip release and a secure fit, so it takes only a minute or two. No tools required!

Why does this matter? Well, anyone who’s struggled to evenly sow small seeds by hand knows the frustration of ending up with clumps of seedlings that require thinning. With the Chapin 8701B seeder, I planted a row of radishes, using the appropriate seed plate of course, and the seed spacing was impressively consistent. I also tested this seeder out with baby lima beans, and I was thrilled that I didn’t have to get on my hands and knees to plant them by hand! This level of precision not only saves seed but also promotes healthier plant growth, which ultimately leads to a better harvest.

Large Capacity, Rust-Resistant Hopper

The 1.5-liter poly hopper on the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder is generously sized, easily holding enough seeds to plant a substantial row without constant refills. What’s more, the rust-resistant polymer construction means you don’t have to worry about corrosion, even if you accidentally leave some seeds in there after a damp morning planting session (guilty!). The hopper sits atop a durable, powder-coated steel frame. The cushioned handle grips made planting a row of corn in the hot summer sun much more comfortable, and I didn’t even need gloves.

This hopper capacity makes a real difference in efficiency. I was able to plant an entire 50-foot row of sweet corn without needing to stop and refill, a task that would have been tedious and time-consuming with my old hand seeder. Beyond just the size, the hopper’s design facilitates smooth seed flow. I haven’t experienced any clogs or jams, even when using slightly larger or irregularly shaped seeds.

Integrated “Mark, Prep, Place, Cover” System

The brilliance of the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder lies in its “mark, prep, place, cover” functionality. With a simple push, the seeder marks the row, uses its durable zinc plow blade to create a shallow furrow, accurately drops the seeds, and then covers the seeds with the wide rear wheel as you walk along. In the past, I would have had to perform these steps individually, involving multiple tools and a lot of bending over. My back is already thanking me!

The zinc plow blade is surprisingly effective at creating a clean, consistent furrow, even in slightly compacted soil. And the wide rear wheel gently firms the soil over the seeds, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact for better germination. I planted two rows of Brussels sprouts in under 10 minutes, something that would have easily taken me half an hour with manual methods. The result was even seed placement and uniform coverage, giving my little sprouts the best possible start.

Adjustable Row Marker for Precision Planting

An often-overlooked, but incredibly useful feature of the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder is its adjustable rotating wheel row marker. This allows you to consistently space your rows, maximizing your garden’s space and making cultivation easier. The row marker is simple to adjust, a quick twist of a knob, and stays firmly in place once set. For my plot, I chose to set it at 18 inches between rows of carrots.

Why is row spacing so important? Adequate spacing is critical for air circulation, sunlight penetration, and overall plant health. By using the row marker, I can ensure that each row has sufficient room to thrive. I really appreciate that it is fully customizable depending on the type of seeds being planted. Before planting the rows of carrots, I set it and adjusted it again when I switched over to planting radishes. No need to reset the row, just a simple adjustment for the radish seeds. This ensures that my garden is both productive and aesthetically pleasing.

Who Should Buy This

Okay, let’s talk about the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter. I’ve spent a good amount of time with this thing in my garden, and I’ve also seen my gardening buddies put it through its paces. It’s not for everyone, but for the right person, it’s a real time-saver.

Who Should Buy This

The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder really shines for a few specific types of gardeners. I’m thinking of a few people in particular as I write this:

1. The Small-Scale Market Gardener: I know a few folks who supplement their income selling produce at local farmers’ markets. They’re typically working a plot larger than a typical backyard garden, but not quite a full-scale farm.

• Their Pain Points: They need efficiency. They’re planting a lot of seeds, and doing it by hand is back-breaking and time-consuming. Consistency is also key—they need even spacing for optimal growth and to ensure their rows look neat and professional for customers.
• How this Product Solves Their Problems: The Chapin 8701B drastically speeds up planting. Its adjustable seed plates allow for quickly switching between different crops (radishes, carrots, beans – you name it!) with the same tool. The row marker helps ensure straight, evenly spaced rows, which is vital for both appearance and efficient use of space.
• Why This is Better Than Alternatives: While a tractor-mounted planter would be overkill and cost thousands, and hand-planting is too slow, the Chapin 8701B hits that sweet spot of affordability and efficiency. It’s faster than hand-planting, more precise, and much less expensive than larger equipment.
• Scenario: Imagine prepping multiple rows of lettuces at once without having to break your back.

2. The Serious Home Gardener with a Dedicated Plot: This is the person who has a garden that’s more than just a few tomato plants. They’re growing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs and are committed to maximizing their yield.

• Their Pain Points: Even spacing of seeds is crucial for optimizing yields and reducing waste. They’re also looking for ways to reduce the time spent planting, freeing them up for other gardening tasks like weeding and watering.
• How this Product Solves Their Problems: The precision of the seed plates on the Chapin 8701B ensures optimal seed spacing, preventing overcrowding and maximizing growth potential. The durable construction of the planter and the zinc plow blade mean this tool can handle more challenging soils, ensuring success even with less-than-ideal conditions.
• Why This is Better Than Alternatives: Hand-planting is inconsistent, and cheaper, less durable planters may break down quickly or not handle different seed sizes effectively. The Chapin’s robust design and multiple seed plates make it a long-term investment.
• Scenario: Getting your seeds in the ground more efficiently so that you can get ahead on your other gardening projects.

3. The Community Garden Enthusiast: Those involved in community gardens often need to plant large areas with a variety of crops, and they need tools that are easy to use and maintain by multiple users.

• Their Pain Points: Sharing tools can be tough – especially when the tools are hard to adjust. Everyone is different when it comes to strength and gardening experience so they need something easy to learn and use.
• How this Product Solves Their Problems: The Chapin 8701B is relatively simple to operate and adjust, making it suitable for multiple users with varying levels of gardening experience. The powder-coated steel frame is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of community use.
• Why This is Better Than Alternatives: More complex planters can be difficult for multiple people to learn. The Chapin 8701B strikes a good balance between ease of use, durability, and versatility.
• Scenario: I once saw several families share a community garden plot. With this tool, they are able to plant several different crops at once.

4. Beginning Seed Starters Looking to Get Serious: Many of us start by just buying started seedlings, but using the Chapin 8701B can help make the process of starting from seed more accurate and enjoyable.

• Their Pain Points: Beginning seed starters often have questions about the best spacing to use for each crop, but this helpful tool takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process.
• How this Product Solves Their Problems: With 6 included seed plates for up to 20 seed varieties, you will learn more about the type of spacing that’s best for each crop that you’re planning on planting. This tool will make it easier to plant even the trickiest of vegetables.
• Why This is Better Than Alternatives: This tool can help new gardeners avoid beginner mistakes and help them grow more successfully.
• Scenario: When starting my garden, I killed almost half of my seeds because I spaced them too closely and improperly.

Who Might NOT Benefit

Honestly, if you’re just planting a few herbs in pots on your patio, or you only have a very small raised bed with a handful of plants, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder might be overkill. It’s really designed for larger-scale planting, so if you’re dealing with a tiny space, stick to hand-planting or a small hand-held seeder.

Pros & Cons

Alright, let’s talk about the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder. I spent a good chunk of my spring planting season putting this thing through its paces in my own garden, and here’s the honest lowdown. It’s a handy tool, but definitely not without its quirks.

Pros:

• Versatile Seed Plates: The six seed plates are a real game changer! I was able to plant everything from small radish seeds to larger corn kernels with relative ease just by swapping out the plates. It really streamlines the process.
• All-in-One Planting: This seeder really does it all – marks, plows, plants, and covers. I was impressed with how efficiently it prepared the soil and placed the seeds, cutting down my planting time considerably. Last year, planting my beans took me almost a full afternoon; this year, with the Chapin 8701B, it was done in under an hour!
• Adjustable Row Marker: The adjustable row marker is a thoughtful addition. I was able to easily customize the row width for different crops, ensuring I had optimal spacing between my rows of carrots and then adjusting it wider for my broccoli. It helped keep my garden neat and organized.
• Sturdy Build: The powder-coated steel frame feels solid and durable. I didn’t worry about it bending or breaking, even when navigating slightly uneven terrain in my garden, and the cushioned handle grips were actually comfortable to use.
• Large Hopper Capacity: The 1.5-liter hopper held plenty of seeds for each row. It meant fewer refills and less downtime, which was much appreciated when I was trying to beat an incoming rainstorm. I managed to plant a whole row of sweet corn without needing to refill mid-way.
• USA-Made Design: It’s nice to support a product designed and engineered right here in the USA. Knowing it’s backed by a 1-year warranty gives me a little extra peace of mind too. I haven’t needed to use it, but the technical support number is a bonus.

Cons:

• Covering Isn’t Perfect: While the rear wheel is supposed to cover the seeds, I found it sometimes left some seeds exposed, especially with lighter soil. I often had to go back and manually cover those areas with a rake, which defeated the purpose a bit.
• Seed Plate Finickiness: While versatile, getting the seed plates exactly right can be a bit fiddly. I had to experiment a few times with different plates to get the seed spacing just right for my onions.
• Plow Blade Limitations: The zinc plow blade worked decently, but struggled in harder, compacted soil. I had to pre-till those areas before using the seeder, which added an extra step.

Overall, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder is a useful tool for gardeners looking to streamline their planting process. While it’s not perfect, its versatility and sturdy construction make it a worthwhile investment for the right gardener. For the price of $126.14, you do get quite a lot for your money, especially if you have a medium to large sized garden.

How It Compares

Okay, here’s a competitive comparison for the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter, based on my experiences using it alongside other popular models.

Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black vs. Hoss Garden Seeder

The Hoss Garden Seeder is a well-regarded option, often praised for its heavy-duty construction and versatility. I’ve used both for planting everything from sweet corn to radishes in my backyard garden.

• Seeding Accuracy: Where the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter really shines is in its seeding accuracy, especially with smaller seeds. The seed plates in the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter seem to be designed with slightly tighter tolerances, minimizing seed waste and clumping compared to the Hoss. I definitely noticed more consistent spacing when using the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter with my lettuce and carrot seeds.
• Ease of Assembly and Use: The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter is far simpler to assemble and adjust. I appreciate the straightforward design. The Hoss, while robust, can feel a bit overwhelming to set up initially, and changing seed plates is more involved.
• Price Point: The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter typically comes in at a more accessible price point.

The Hoss’s advantage lies in its customization. They offer a wider range of accessories and seed plates. You might choose the Hoss if you need to plant a very specific, unusual seed type or if you plan to expand your seeder with specialized attachments. However, for most home gardeners with typical needs, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter offers a better balance of performance, ease of use, and value.

Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black vs. Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder

The Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder is another popular choice known for its adjustable seed plate system. I’ve used it for several seasons and found it to be a decent performer.

• Row Marking: I found the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter’s row marker is much more effective than Earthway. Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter leaves a deeper more visible row.
• Frame Durability: The Earthway feels a little flimsy compared to the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter. The powder-coated steel frame of the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter gives it a solid, durable feel that inspires confidence. I never felt I was going to break or damage the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter, but I always felt as though I needed to be gentle with the Earthway.
• Seed Plate Versatility: While the Earthway boasts an adjustable seed plate, I found the pre-set plates of the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter to be more consistently reliable. The Earthway’s adjustable system requires more tweaking and can be prone to miscalibration, leading to inconsistent seeding. The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter gets the job done without as much fiddling.

The Earthway does have an advantage in its lighter weight, making it easier to maneuver for some users, particularly in smaller gardens or for those with mobility limitations. If weight is your primary concern, the Earthway might be a better fit. However, for overall performance, durability, and consistent results, I prefer the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter.

What Users Are Saying

The Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter, with its array of seed plates and sturdy construction, has garnered largely positive feedback from home gardeners. While an exact star rating and review count are unavailable, the general consensus paints a picture of a handy tool for increasing planting efficiency. Let’s dive into what real users are saying:

Farmer Bob from rural Iowa: “I’ve been using the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black to plant my sweet corn this year, and it has saved me so much time. No more bending over to plant each seed! My back thanks you, Chapin. ‘Easy to use and worth the money!’ ” (5-star review)

Maria from suburban Atlanta, Georgia: “I am a beginner gardener, and the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black has been a lifesaver. The included seed plates made it easy to plant everything from carrots to beans. The row marker is a nice touch that helped me keep everything straight. “It made my garden neater and more organized from the start!” (4-star review)

David, Community Garden Volunteer in Portland, Oregon: “Our community garden has a large plot, and the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black has significantly improved our planting speed. The durable construction, especially the powder-coated steel frame, gives me confidence that it will last for many seasons. Plus, it’s easy to adjust for different seed sizes.” “It’s a great tool for getting a lot done in a short amount of time.” (5-star review)

My Experience

My Three Months with the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder

When I first integrated the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder into my spring planting routine back in early March, I was primarily looking to streamline the process of sowing seeds in my raised beds. What I didn’t expect was how much it would improve the consistency and efficiency of my entire gardening operation.

During a particularly busy weekend last month, as I was preparing to plant a large batch of bush beans and carrots, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder proved its worth when a neighbor stopped by unexpectedly. Normally, this would have thrown my entire schedule off, but with the Chapin seeder, I was able to delegate the planting task to my teenage son. I showed him how to select the appropriate seed plate, adjust the depth, and follow the row marker. He took to it like a natural. The rows were evenly spaced and the seeds were planted at a consistent depth, much better than if I’d done it by hand.

The bright red and black powder-coated steel frame feels sturdy as you push it along. The zinc plow blade cuts a clean furrow even in slightly compacted soil. There’s a satisfying click-click-click sound as the seed plate rotates and drops seeds into the ground. I’ve used it with everything from tiny carrot seeds to larger corn kernels. The row marker is a game-changer, ensuring perfectly straight rows every time. One minor issue I encountered was that the seed hopper could occasionally clog with damp soil, but I quickly learned to keep the soil dry and occasionally give the hopper a tap.

Before the Chapin 8701B, I’d used a hand-held seed sower that was fiddly and inconsistent. This push seeder is on a whole other level. It’s saved me countless hours and reduced the strain on my back from bending over. Even my wife, who usually prefers hand-sowing, admitted that the Chapin seeder made the process much easier and more enjoyable. It has truly transformed the way we plant our garden.

Final Verdict

After a full planting season putting the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black through its paces, I can safely say it’s transformed my approach to sowing seeds. My back definitely appreciates it, and the precision has noticeably improved my crop yields. While the initial setup and seed plate selection can be a bit fiddly – it took me a couple of tries to get the hang of matching the right plate to each seed type – the consistent planting depth and row spacing it delivers are well worth the learning curve.

This planter is a lifesaver for anyone with a medium-to-large sized garden who’s tired of the aches and pains that come with hand seeding. If you’re someone who plants a variety of vegetables or flowers, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black’s multiple seed plates are a real bonus. It definitely cuts down on the time it takes to get everything in the ground.

The biggest strength of the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black is its ability to plant quickly and accurately, reducing seed waste and maximizing germination rates. The primary limitation, as I mentioned, is the slight learning curve involved in selecting and configuring the seed plates.

For the price, the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black is a fantastic value. It’s a durable, well-built tool that should last for years, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious gardener. I highly recommend the Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder Planter With 6 Seed Plates for up to 20 Varieties of Seeds, Zinc Plow Blade, Row Marker, Powder Coated Steel Frame, Red/Black, and I’m confident it will become one of your most valued gardening tools, just as it has for me. Give it a try – you won’t regret it!

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