Concerns about the dig

[Rock Sinders]

I don't know if this is a beef, a question or advice needed or what, but here goes.
Digging holes has been a real issue for me. I've tried to leave the turf the way I found it, especially in public places.
Most of the time I can get away with it. But there are those times the soil goes back looking like a dogs breakfast.
I have revisited or passed by those holes weeks or months later, and I'm a little embarrassed by what I've done in that dig.
Permissions or well-kept lawn areas, I am very careful about the digs, but I can get carried away in the moment.
I try to minimize the ground damage by working off of my depth reading and work hard to be exactly over top of the object(s) as well as I can do.
Tell me if this has been your concern or if you've gotten around it somehow by dismissing it as the "spoils of war", or is there a guilt about it and you're trying to improve.
Let me know what you think about this topic.

 

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[robertk]

Always try to leave the area looking better than you found it. You won't always succeed, but always try.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I moved from the city to a very rural area 32yrs ago. My detecting changed from parks and yards to plowed ag fields. It was a relief not having to worry about damaging someone’s lawn. I think I’d have a hard time switching back to digging turf.

 

[pepperj]

I don't know if this is a beef, a question or advice needed or what, but here goes.
Digging holes has been a real issue for me. I've tried to leave the turf the way I found it, especially in public places.
Most of the time I can get away with it. But there are those times the soil goes back looking like a dogs breakfast.
I have revisited or passed by those holes weeks or months later, and I'm a little embarrassed by what I've done in that dig.
Permissions or well-kept lawn areas, I am very careful about the digs, but I can get carried away in the moment.
I try to minimize the ground damage by working off of my depth reading and work hard to be exactly over top of the object(s) as well as I can do.
Tell me if this has been your concern or if you've gotten around it somehow by dismissing it as the "spoils of war", or is there a guilt about it and you're trying to improve.
Let me know what you think about this topic.

Firstly what are you using for digging a plug?
Let us know how you're digging a plug.

This is my method.
Use a sharp serrated or blade as a Leche.
Cut a horse shoe shape plug.
The cut has to have vertical sides.
Plug should be the whole piece of sod.
Meaning the roots also.

Retrieve target
Put plug carefully back in.
Stomp it, fluff grass.

I can dig all day and not see any sign of digging.

Problem plugs.
Digging in hot, dry conditions.
Butchered plugs.
Cutting saucer shaped sides that are too shallow.

The hinge provides the plug with a source of moisture still from the other roots.

Animals can be a source of ripped up plugs.
They will dig them out if not stomped down.

See a grub, toss it away from plug. It's a free meal, and they leave the plug alone.

 

[Rock Sinders]

Firstly what are you using for digging a plug?
Let us know how you're digging a plug.

This is my method.
Use a sharp serrated or blade as a Leche.
Cut a horse shoe shape plug.
The cut has to have vertical sides.
Plug should be the whole piece of sod.
Meaning the roots also.

Retrieve target
Put plug carefully back in.
Stomp it, fluff grass.

I can dig all day and not see any sign of digging.

Problem plugs.
Digging in hot, dry conditions.
Butchered plugs.
Cutting saucer shaped sides that are too shallow.

The hinge provides the plug with a source of moisture still from the other roots.

Animals can be a source of ripped up plugs.
They will dig them out if not stomped down.

See a grub, toss it away from plug. It's a free meal, and they leave the plug alone.

Great advice! I've using a very sharp, curved spade cut in half and welded to a handle. I do a horseshoe cut and when it hinges out I know it's the perfect plug, yes. Thanks again!

 

[Rock Sinders]

I moved from the city to a very rural area 32yrs ago. My detecting changed from parks and yards to plowed ag fields. It was a relief not having to worry about damaging someone’s lawn. I think I’d have a hard time switching back to digging turf.

I hear ya. We have the farm area to dig as well as the city and they are absolutely two different types of digs. Thanks!

 

[pepperj]

Great advice! I've using a very sharp, curved spade cut in half and welded to a handle. I do a horseshoe cut and when it hinges out I know it's the perfect plug, yes. Thanks again!

Your curved spade creates curved cuts.
This is creating disturbed cuts in the plug.

I tried the curved digging hand spade, even a curved Hori blade. Best plugs are tools designed for just that.


"I do a horseshoe cut and when it hinges out I know it's a perfect plug."

So here is the $64,000 question.

Why do think your plugs look like a "Dog's breakfast" ?

 

[Rock Sinders]

Your curved spade creates curved cuts.
This is creating disturbed cuts in the plug.

I tried the curved digging hand spade, even a curved Hori blade. Best plugs are tools designed for just that.


"I do a horseshoe cut and when it hinges out I know it's a perfect plug."

So here is the $64,000 question.

Why do think your plugs look like a "Dog's breakfast" ?

Cool. Because if I over dig downward, find the object in the plug, end up ripping the plug up even though I start with little probes, I sometimes end up shredding the plug and putting it back becomes that. Any ideas on that?

 

[Rock Sinders]

Always try to leave the area looking better than you found it. You won't always succeed, but always try.

Yes, I want to leave the spot like it wasn't untouched