To plug or not =three ways==Which one will harm the grass less

[GunnarMN]

In this photoe i have grass befor plugging and during , The one on the right is a full plugg the one in the middle, is a hinge plug and the one on the left is a slit that i pry open and then dig down thru the center placing the dirt in a bowland pluck grass to put in when filling , the one on the left is the one i use in really nice grass it is also very much easear to dig i tell you if I had to dig 32 full plugs i would be so worn out , now in a few days i will post how the grass is doing , which one will turn brown , which one will not . see you in a few days Gunnar

 

[jmaryt]

the one on the right end (full plug!)
will have "croaked" next time you check,because ALL plug roots have been severed!
one in the middle will survive,because some plug roots are NOT severed!
the one to the left end will "croak" too because grass roots have been 'severed"
when the "slit" was made. just sayin!

(h.h.!)
j.t.

 

[zeekeys]

Gunnar thank you for doing your little experiment. I have always dug the horse shoe type plug. I see a video here on the forum says that the full, deep plug is the only way to dig a plug? I also saw a video with the slit plug and pried up the sod from the middle. I did a few of the slit plugs and lost the coin in the hole and the hole got deeper and deeper. By the time I had done a few slits I wanted to go home and sit in the recliner. My next trial will be trying to pop a coin out with a screw driver and probe method. I used a 6" screw driver and it just didn't work that well. Next time I am at Sears I will pick up a 10" or longer screw driver. Thanks again Gunnar..... Z

 

[Larry (IL)]

Thanks for documenting the test Gunnar, I'm anxious to see the results.

My guess is the slit will have the less damage to the ground and then the hinged plug. The 360 will be toast in a few days if it does not get a good watering. I also think the slit will survive "lawnmower lift" best of the three as well. I have seen even the hinged plug get sucked out of the ground after mowing in dry conditions and needless to say the 360 will get sucked up and spit out with a big lawnmower.

 

[Mike Hillis]

Will be an eye opener for sure. Good test. All the pluggin looks like shallow plugs, so both of them are history. The slit will be the only one that will look halfway decent.

Invest in a Uniprobe and you'll never plug for shallow targets ever again. Next time you sink your knife into the ground will be to dig a good solid 5" or 6" deep plug.

Looking forward to the results picture.
HH
Mike

 

[Carolina Phil]

I agree that the plugs are probably not deep enough. It appears that the grass roots have been severed, which would increase the chance of brown spots. A deeper plug would also be less likely to be sucked up by a lawn mower because it would be a heaver plug. I relic hunt in the woods though, so I really don't have an experienced opinion.

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

Thanks for documenting the test Gunnar, I'm anxious to see the results.

My guess is the slit will have the less damage to the ground and then the hinged plug. The 360 will be toast in a few days if it does not get a good watering. I also think the slit will survive "lawnmower lift" best of the three as well. I have seen even the hinged plug get sucked out of the ground after mowing in dry conditions and needless to say the 360 will get sucked up and spit out with a big lawnmower.

When I lived in Fl. the slit was the way to go. You could not plug with loose sand. You would never know I was there.

In WV. heavy clay soil I plug. I do it only when the ground is not dry. I tried the slit method, but it always left a bad bare slice in the ground. Retrieving something 8 to 10" in heavy clay with rocks is a very hard task. The clay just doesn't cooperate. A deep plug goes back into the ground unnoticeable. Really. I even drive by days later to make sure. If it is dry weather I MD in the wood or a place where it doesn't matter so much. Fields, streams, abandon homes, excavation, caves, tot lots, barns, basements, my parents house. ;>)

 

[GunnarMN]

a good piponter is a must when doing the slit . the grass i dig in is like a golf course Im suprized they have not made a fuss but when i get done you cant see whear i did dig otherwise in the farm field i just trash the ground bug wide holes, thats why i like farm fields,,

 

[dewcon4414]

I think this also take us to why we need better TID machines. I know some indicate they dig 15 targets per hour. However, for those who dig everything that could easily triple and in a park after 7 hours... well that could make quite an impression on the park manager.

Dew

 

[BarberBill]

I've been plugging by cutting either a horseshoe shaped plug or a three sided plug both leaving a hinge. Going over the same areas later, I haven't seen any dead grass where I know I've been. IMHO it is good to leave a sincere hinge as I've heard of mowers sucking plugs out of the ground on some occasions. This issue may vary from one location to another as well. Several ball fields and parks that I detect have a variety of grass that builds up a very heavy root/sod layer that seems to hold up quite well, but is rather difficult to penetrate in order to retrieve a target. I'm thinking that areas that are watered generously and often may fare better, also. My two bits.
BB

 

[jmaryt]

yes! "farm fields" no danger,however one still needs to cover holes!..still gives a "negative" impression if not done!
just sayin!

(h.h.!)
j.t.