SINGULATING HAND PLANTER AND FERTILIZER APPLICATOR

A device and method for hand planting cereal grain seed, and other crops where singulation (single seeds planted per strike) is taught. The device and method are capable of serving as a small scale fertilizer and alternative product applicator. The inventive method includes the capability of applying fertilizer and/or other products that are collected and dispensed via a reciprocating drum device. The device preferably includes a tapered (or pointed) soil engagement component capable of striking or penetrating the soil surface. With each planter strike to the soil surface, the device is actuated to meter a granular material product and the reciprocating drum rotates to expose the cavity to a material hopper. As the actuation force is released, the reciprocating drum rotates in the opposite direction to its original location and drops the material that has been metered.