I have a bad back, so I can relate. But when my back isn't on the fritz, I love digging holes. I try to get them all done during hunting season, so it's easier to be in the woods without questions being ask. I will make some changes though. From now on, any time release plant food will go in when I transplant the plants. They are water released, so when you have a high water issue like I did a couple three weeks ago, all your time release releases. The first few holes I dug I was putting 15-20 gallons of soil mix in with the dirt. As the walks got longer, that was quickly reduced to 10, then to 5 or lower. Some of my really long walk holes have only lime, Epson salts, coffee grounds and fertilizers.
Good luck in getting some land. The few years I lived away from the farm were tough on me. Like I tell anyone who will listen, "they are not making any more dirt, so you had better get a piece of it while you can."
A disclaimer: I live in a sandy area, so digging is pretty easy for most of my holes.
