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cutting plug so grass does not die?

A

Anonymous

Guest
I have been doing alot of detecting on the farm where I live. There are lots of circles in the lawn where I have been very careful to put the plug back in yet the grass within that plug died. Is there a way to keep this from happenning?
If I was granted permission to detect in someone elses lawn I sure would not want to leave a bunch of circles of dead grass. I'm sure if I did that I would never be allowed back.
Any ideas?
What I do I cut a plug about 3 inches round and about 4 inches deep and gently lift the whole plug out, move it in front of the coil to see if anything is in that plug, if not I set it aside and commence to dig more from where that plug came from.
When done I put back the dirt I dug out and try to smoosh it down as best I can then re-insert the plug. Often I have to step on the plug to get it back down to the same level as the ground.
Any ideas on how to do it better?
I just don't want a bunch of people mad at me. The word will get around town and that will be the end of it around here.
Good thing I am testing all this here first where I live.
 
I have been waiting to hunt residences because it has been so dry. Now that the grass is beginning to come back I will be able to hunt lawns again.You seem to be doing everything right. One thing I do though is cut the plug as deep as I can and only cut about 3/4 circle and lift the plug as though it were on a hinge. Then when it is replaced it is not so apt to be pulled out by animals and lawn mowers.
just my two zincs worth.
HH..Chuck
 
Also if the coins are within a few inches of the surface, you can use a screwdriver. Just probe with it until you hit the coin, then move screwdriver maybe an inch towards you & insert it into the ground at an angle & lift the coin up. No brown grass this way. I still dig a 3/4 plug leaving the grass attached on one side when the coin is down about 4"+. HH, George (MN)
 
I thought I replied to you but I guess I got logged off before it took. Anyway, thanks for the reply.
I do have a nice coin popper which has a scoop on the end about 1/2 inch wide and about an inch long. But I'm afraid of damaging the coin by prying it.
 
Best time to hunt yards is spring and fall, usually the ground is wetter and the grass recovers.. not sure where you live, but here I try and get to those areas just before winter, the snow fixes all brown spots <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT=":)">
 
After you replace the plug, push your spade in the ground about an inch away from the plug (in 4 or 5 places) and pry towart the center of the plug. This will close the air gap around the plug. Then, step on the plug and area around it. I've been doing this for many years and it works good.... Bob
 
Don't assume the grass is dead when it goes brown. Sometimes the roots are alive and just the tops die from the stress. Best thing is to disturb the roots as little as possible by removing a whole plug carefully; then make sure plug is pressed in tight by your foot so no air gets in to dry out the roots.
 
Probe & Driver
This technique should be used in areas where the ground is not that moist or where cutting a plug is not acceptable. While requiring more practice than the plugging method, it results in virtually no damage to the lawn. After pinpointing the target, use a probe to locate the target. Next, insert an 8 inch screwdriver just above the target and rotate it slowly to spread the grass roots. Now insert the screwdriver just under the target at an angle and work the target to the surface. After the target has been removed, brush the loose dirt back into the hole and press the roots back together.
 
This method should only be used in wooded areas or in
lawns that are moist. plugging in dry, hard ground can damage the grass,leaving yellow ,dead spots" after you leave. After pinpointing the target, cut a plug three quarters of the way around using a large hunting knife. result in the grass dying. Cutting a complete plug will usually within a few days time. Using the blade of the knife as a leaver, fold back the plug. Sweep the search coil over the hole and the plug to determine where the target is located. Use a probe to locate the target and recover it.
A trick that many detectorists use is to have a plastic bag or thick plastic to place the removed soil on. (about 12" square). This can then be emtied back into the whole you have made. Fold back the plug and tread it firmly into place
 
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