What is the proper way to dig in grass so it dosen't damage it?

[seemore1]

I have read on the forum to dig plugs properly but no one gave the right procedure.
could someone explain the right way so I don't get in trouble?
Thanks
Craig

 

[dobbie]

good question. i to have wondered if i have done it right...

 

[cassiekarimom]

I usually find where the item is and try to imagine a square about an inch all around and push my digger in all the way down on the bottom of the square, and push the digger forward, then push it in on the top of the square and pull it twords me, then along the sides, I try to get deep enough that I am under the roots so that when I put it back the roots can keep growing and keep the grass from dying on top. Sometimes the item is in the plug and I have to carefully pull it apart to find it and put the pieces back in the hole the same way.

 

[treasurefiend]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oTDKXethwnk

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VqRyBlS8220

 

[robert roy]

There is no way your going to dig a plug and not hurt the grass. Maybe one of the old timers can do it, but for the most part some damage IS done. The best time to dig your plugs in when the grass is green and there is plenty of moisture. You can fold the flap of your plug back down, step down on it with your foot and it will probably be OK. When its is DRY and HOT like in the summer, plugs usually tend to turn yellow. Not good. I was driven out of one sports field by one of the grounds keepers, even though I explained I was being careful. His response was, and he was polite about it,"I know you guys do but when we go over the area with our lawn mowers, the flaps are torn apart." SO I just don't MD there anymore. Some guys are really good with long screwdrivers popping the coin right out and no one is the wiser, but you have to have really pinpointed accurately to do that all the time, in my opinion.
RR

 

[treasurefiend]

n/t

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hey seemore, i hope your pinpointing skills are good, 'cause they need to be if your're going to be digging someone's lawn up. the easiest, fastest, and most effective way that i have found to do it is this: get a 1 ft. x 1 ft. piece of cloth. a garden trowel or dull butcher knife will do well. cut a semi-circle 2" on each side of the target. maintain the 2" at all three points. if using a butcher knife, one swift flick of the wrist will do it; this action also loosens a good bit of soil, and it can easily be taken out by hand. if using a garden trowel, cut the semi-circular plug, then insert the trowel at a 45 degree angle and pull up slightly, freeing up the soil. it can then be removed by hand or by the trowel. re-check the hole. put all your loose dirt on the rag. most targets are below the roots. if the target is in the roots, you can grab the plug and shake it. when you make your initial cut, keep your digger straight up and down; this way, less roots are disturbed. angled digs destroy more roots. an old yarddigger i know came up with a novel solution: he went to the hardware store and bought a 25 lb. bag of that blue fertilizer you mix with water. make a gallon jug or two of it, then after the hunt wet down all your dig spots. it's cheap and lasts forever, and helps the grass to stay green and down. with practice, you'll get pretty quick at it. no technique is 100% effective on grass. hh,