Abstract: A portable applicator for applying a dry fertilizer and/or insecticide material onto the surface of the earth adjacent a plant, and including an elongated essentially tubular body structure carrying at its upper end a container of the dry material andcontaining a passage through which the material flows downwardly to a bottom outlet under the control of a rotary valve element which is preferably actuated by a handle part serving the dual purposes of assisting in holding and manipulating the overall tool and also actuating the valve element when the handle grip is turned about its axis. The lower end of the body has fingers capable of cultivating the earth's surface for working the deposited dry material a short distance into that surface.