Find's Treasure Forums

Welcome to Find's Treasure Forums, Guests!

You are viewing this forums as a guest which limits you to read only status.

Only registered members may post stories, questions, classifieds, reply to other posts, contact other members using built in messaging and use many other features found on these forums.

Why not register and join us today? It's free! (We don't share your email addresses with anyone.) We keep email addresses of our users to protect them and others from bad people posting things they shouldn't.

Click here to register!



Need Support Help?

Cannot log in?, click here to have new password emailed to you

Changed email? Forgot to update your account with new email address? Need assistance with something else?, click here to go to Find's Support Form and fill out the form.

Opinions- Dormant Brown Grass Being Better To Dig Plugs In? & Your Tips To Keep From Killing Grass...

There's a big difference between aeration via small holes punched into the soil with a machine behind a tractor and exposing the entire bottom root system to the air. It's not really a controversial thing to say that exposing roots to air is the number one reason the grass dries out and dies when you dig a plug. In gardening circles many plants need you to keep as much dirt around the roots as possible when transporting them for that very reason. There are exceptions (I've planted a large vegetable garden for years), such as transplanting individual sweet patoto plants from a pot, where you just keep the root intact with the plant and have no need to keep dirt around it when transporting, but as a general rule most plants need their roots with as much dirt around them as possible when removing/transporting them or it could very well kill the plant.

Of further consideration, even if the plug isn't dug deep enough to keep dirt on the bottom of the roots, is for sure that the plug needs compacted as much as possible, because any trapped dead space with air around the roots will suck the moisture right out of them over the following hours and days.
 
Critterhunter said:
There's a big difference between aeration via small holes punched into the soil with a machine behind a tractor and exposing the entire bottom root system to the air. It's not really a controversial thing to say that exposing roots to air is the number one reason the grass dries out and dies when you dig a plug. In gardening circles many plants need you to keep as much dirt around the roots as possible when transporting them for that very reason. There are exceptions (I've planted a large vegetable garden for years), such as transplanting individual sweet patoto plants from a pot, where you just keep the root intact with the plant and have no need to keep dirt around it when transporting, but as a general rule most plants need their roots with as much dirt around them as possible when removing/transporting them or it could very well kill the plant.

Of further consideration, even if the plug isn't dug deep enough to keep dirt on the bottom of the roots, is for sure that the plug needs compacted as much as possible, because any trapped dead space with air around the roots will suck the moisture right out of them over the following hours and days.

The physical act of digging a plug destroys the root structure, compacting the earth only makes it worst. Seems the roots need air too.
http://www.lawncare.net/why-lawn-aerating-is-necessary/
 
CW(SC) said:
That a large knife or hand digger raggs out the grass and causes a destructive mess to the well kept lawns, the key is a sharp downward thrust all with just one motion,i am working on the video with the parks department head to show you guys what is happening here.It is time to do what is right,not to do what we know is not right.The parks department and surrounding communities know we are digging,there is no reason to hide with a large knife any longer,for this is nothing but antiquated thinking.We need to move fast with this,because if we keep ragging out these parks with these hand diggers we are done.CW::csflag:

You have got to be kidding me!
Your going to show us how its done!
Its not the people that tend to the park that is the problem! (Somewhere along in here is where you don't get it)
It's the general public that's the main problem, its the people that live around and hang out in the public parks that's the problem!
They see several people digging large holes in the park with shovels and they complain!
They call the police!
They police come and tell us, people are complaining about the park getting dug up!
The police then will to keep peace tell you (us) that your not really breaking any laws, but for them to serve the community around the park and keep the masses happy, you need to move on somewhere else.

You have already got the general consensus here, "Large Digging Tools In Public Parks Is A Bad Idea"
And it doesn't matter how good of a hole you can dig with that long handled shovel of yours, "Its Still A Bad Idea"
It draws to much bad attention to the hobby to use them in public places like parks!

Post after post that gets started here you chime in and turn it around in a way to lobby us towards your great idea of "Relic Shovels" and "backhoe's" is the best way to retrieve a 1972 Washington quarter that's 4" deep in our local city parks?
You have gone way out of your way to claim that that "Monster Relic Shovel" of yours leaves a cleaner dig on a 3" Memorial Penny" then popping it out with an ice pick?
Its a relic shovel! its not meant for use in public parks!

Now, seeing how the problem isn't with the ground keepers of the parks it with the local general public why don't you spend your time making those video's and working to soften the general public's view of metal detecting? that would really help us, here your fighting a losing battle.
To many here have learned by hard knocks that its best to keep a low profile!
Be nice to the locals, even helpful if you can!
And No One Has Ever Been Shot By The Police Because They Had A Soil Knife Digging A Plug In A Park! (That was an off the wall comment you made in another post. You would have to be brandishing it as a weapon)

Now, this post was started by someone else, now you've hi-jacked it in another direction to serve your cause of "Everyone Throw Your Small Hand Diggers In The Trash And Get A Relic Shovel"
It's Better!
Its A Cleaner Dig!
Its Makes the Grass Grow Better!

You have more than once made your stand on your "Great Shovel" right?
You've already gotten the overall consensus here about the use of that "Great Shovel" of yours.
Why can't you just let it go?
Why turn (Hi-Jack) most of the threads started by others into your own personal agenda?
A thread can be moving along and being productive and you just have turn in into a campaign for "Use A Relic Shovel In Public Parks" and then a stink starts and a Moderator or forum Admin has to shut the thread down.

Give it up!
Move on!
Everyone here knows your view of the "Great Relic Shovel" Its been debated, you've expressed your view in a number of post, the ones that agree with you have told you so! those that do not have told you so and told you why!

It would seem to me that you are spinning your wheels in the mud and not getting anywhere in your "campaign" here to make any digging tool other than the "Great Relic Shovel" illegal in public parks.

Can you stay on topic or not?
Go back to the title post and look at the question again.

Critterhunter Ask said:
"Dormant Brown Grass Being Better To Dig Plugs In?"

And My Digging Tools Of Choice For Most All Places!
 
In trying to stay somewhat on topic and address the best time to dig and also address the redirected issue of proper digging tools I thought this would help.
Taken from a VERY Popular metal detector owners manual on digging tools and proper digging!

Notice it states "Moist" not dry (that's on topic)
Notice the digging tools preferred (that's the off topic part)
I hope there readable!
I also included a little better picture of my choice for digging tools. (and if anyone uses anything other that what I have pictured then your ruining the hobby for everyone!, your digger must also be bright orange! Okay, just kidding!!)

I must be one of those "Bullies" mentioned earlier!

Mark
 
And from another popular (current) detector owners manual. The people that build the detectors has the most to lose if they mislead people about detecting.

From A Fisher 1270 Manual said:
RECOVERY TOOLS
1. Many Detectorists use a heavy-duty blunt screwdriver. An expert with
this method can leave virtually no trace of their recovery.
2. A sturdy hunting knife is also preferred my many. By cutting a slit or section
of grass, the sod can be replaced easily, and without damage. CAUTION:
A jackknife, or knife without a locking blade is a good way to lose a finger!
3. A narrow trowel or garden tool will work well in soft or sandy soils.
4. A thin probe is preferred by many to precisely pinpoint the target, making
for the smallest of holes.
5. There are several well designed sand scoops, trowels, and digging tools made especially
for the Hobby of Metal Detecting. See your local dealer for more information.

Notice the "smallest" of holes!
Its seems that they like the "Smallest" of holes and not holes that look more like tree transplanting holes.
How big of a hole do you need to get a US quarter out of the ground that is less than 6" deep?
The "Smallest" of holes seems to be preferred to protect the hobby.
Also, notice that it states,
"An Expert"??
And
"A thin probe is preferred by many to precisely pinpoint the target, making for the Smallest of holes"

(I know I'm being a Bully again)

Back to the topic,
Seems like the more I research it shakes out that dormant grass in hot weather would be in dry hard ground and that's just not a good time to dig in area's where there is concern for grass damage.

Mark
 
Top