Old house where to look

[KOC]

I have a really quick question. I have recently gotten a metal detector and i went right to my backyard to try to find stuff. The only problem is that each time i dig a hole the grass on top dies. Also my house was built in 1770. Any suggestions where i should search first and how to solve my problem?

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Well when you find all that gold and silver...you could plant more grass seed.
Search the entire property...slowly , and make sure you place whatever slice of sod you take out on a hankerchief or something. Then when you replace the dirt and sod, (roots down ) make sure you stomp it down good and water it.

 

[Green1]

you also could do a small stretch, when your done turn on a sprinkler for a while,, its dying from shock and probably lack of water,, keep the plugs at least 6 in' wide and the depth about the same,, it works for me anyway..
rick

 

[Blackjack77]

On someone else's property I care if the grass dies-- don't care on My own. It'll come back next year. Some people dig a three-sided plug to avoid dead grass and an unsightly mess. Watering will help too.
good luck & HH

 

[Old Tom]

I love old houses, and gypsyheart is right .. all areas should be hunted, over and over .. and from many differnt direction, so that you can get good overlap. Go slow and listen for the deep signals.
Grass will do better if you hunt after a rain, and some people think you can pick targets up better and deeper when the ground is still wet.

Some of the hot spots for old houses are, clothes lines where clothes wear hung to dry. The paths to the out houses, remember outhouses would be moved from time to time. Also digging the old outhouse pits are good to many things including old bottles were disposed of .. or lost in these pits.
Also before we had A/C, people would sometimes sit out under shade trees on hot afternoons. Just remember trees from 1700's most likely are not there now. Another place might be in and around outbuildings, people might have layed on the ground to work on wagons, cars or trucks.
Places where the kids might have played .. sand boxes, tree forts and such are always good.

Let us know what you find .. good luck

Old Tom

 

[KOC]

Thanks for the info i'll let you all know what i find.

 

[buscadero]

KOC: Don't forget Inside the house, also. Check the Attic thoroughly! The Cellar, ex specially if it has a dirt floor. Take a Black Light to the Cellar Walls, looking for spots that may have been dug into, then filled in. Check around the Fireplace carefully. Exsp. the Hearth & Ck up the Chimney. Is there a Pantry? Ck the Top & Bottom Of ea. Shelf. If there are any Mason Type Jars, Look at them carefully.
If there's a Staircase' Look for newel posts that open, Trap Doors on ea Stair, etc.
Sometimes, they planted Lilacs around Outhouses to keep the Odors Down.

Since you live there, take it one Room @ a time. It pays to slow down

Good Luck, & let us know how you progress.

 

[whitesid]

dig the deeper singals
as for the dead grass try digging a "plug" then after you put it back give it a little water

 

[Michigan Badger]

I have a really quick question. I have recently gotten a metal detector and i went right to my backyard to try to find stuff. The only problem is that each time i dig a hole the grass on top dies. Also my house was built in 1770. Any suggestions where i should search first and how to solve my problem?

First you need a bucket of green paint. Make sure you buy FLAT (get it?).

If I knew how to dig without killing the grass my wife would buy my next detector for me.

As for the 1770...wow! You've got it made! Being that old could produce some very nice stuff!

Best to you,

Badger

 

[cwe]

Going to my to where my grandfather build their house..
it is back in the family.
The house is over a 100 years old...know where
the out house was...now.... what was the average
for a out house 3 feet 4feet or was each one dug
until someone got tired.

There are many places to dig here ...but will start here''
for old bottles he was from Italy .
Thanks cwe

 

[randall61]

when u dig leave one side attached and the grass wont die.
good luck