Frilly, you're so right about machismo! My DH is usually willing to do some shoveling too though, even if not as sexy as a giant auger attached to a power drill. But like you said, if *he's* going to do it, what do you care if it took longer - as long as he enjoys it, right? It might go much more quickly for someone with stronger arms too. Similarly, if you can just point while he's digging, then come back & plant later, you could speed through his contribution, taking very little of his time. (As long as you 'use' the holes before it rains hard!)
And forgot to say, if the ground is that hard, will bulbs grow? I've not had much luck with anything planted where the ground was so hard I had to get help digging. A tree or shrub would be the only kind of plant I'd try in such a spot. Try covering really hard ground with TONS of leaves over winter. The 'decomposition crew' does an amazing job of fixing that kind of situation, the texture, drainage, a good thing.
