When to dig. Can our choices effect our hobby?

[Hammer287]

I think I know the answer to this but as I am only seven weeks into the hobby this will be my first summer season digging. My question is, during the hot and dry months of summer is it wise to ask permission to dig around someone's home or on their manicured lawn? Intellectually I think I know the answer. It seems that during the hot and dry season Grass in the replaced plugs Will not survive and the homeowner is left with the dead brown spot in his or her lawn. My feeling is that this could negatively impact future permissions. Again I'm not talking about fields,unmaintained back lots or mowed fields. Do you guys resist the Temptation and wait for early fall? I live in an historic town and have many places to ask permission but don't want to shoot myself in the foot,ruining it for myself and others in the future. Thanks all

 

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[Tpmetal]

i just bring lots of water with me and wet the plug before i put it back in, seems to keep everything from turning brown and dead.

 

[mrwilburino]

Dry ground is the #1 reason that plugs turn brown. Even the sloppiest plugs have a better chance of survival when the soil is moist. I stay off lawns in summer months, both park and private, unless I'm just clad/jewlry stabbing with a screwdriver.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

I think I know the answer to this but as I am only seven weeks into the hobby this will be my first summer season digging. My question is, during the hot and dry months of summer is it wise to ask permission to dig around someone's home or on their manicured lawn? Intellectually I think I know the answer. It seems that during the hot and dry season Grass in the replaced plugs Will not survive and the homeowner is left with the dead brown spot in his or her lawn. My feeling is that this could negatively impact future permissions. Again I'm not talking about fields,unmaintained back lots or mowed fields. Do you guys resist the Temptation and wait for early fall? I live in an historic town and have many places to ask permission but don't want to shoot myself in the foot,ruining it for myself and others in the future. Thanks all

Yes, I wait. Usually there will be a rainstorm along in a week or so but I never hunt nice grounds if I think it will do damage that will be noticeable. Summer is a good time to water/beach hunt for me.

 

[eastcoastdetectorist]

I save most fields for early fall and hunt beaches and rivers during the summer. HH

 

[Hammer287]

Yeah I think I'll save my prime 1700 houses for later in the season. No need to alienate one to have it learned by others and then get turned down altogether

 

[Sandman]

If you only use a screwdriver an cut no holes you won't damage the grass. If i don't pinpoint it, I leave it alone. Digging hole in grass is what gets us banned.

 

[Loco-Digger]

You are thinking right. When it gets dry here in July through August, I go into the woods or to the fresh water beaches. If I need a quick detecting fix I will hit some tot-lots in the county.

 

[Honest Samuel]

Wait until it rain, since it is better to find deep buried coins and jewels. Better for the lawns.

 

[Rustic]

Yes, I wont cut plugs in dry turf, unless it's my own yard, because chances are that it will die. In fact I try not to do anything that might make the property owner feel miffed. For example I always use headphones so there's no irritating sounds for them to listen to, I don't dig near any valuable plants or gardens, and of course always take out any trash found, so when they ask what you've found, always show all the trash too. We are all ambassadors for our sport in a way, and responsible for how it is perceived in the community... Happy hunting and welcome to the addiction.

 

[Hammer287]

Some good advice from all. I think your advice about keeping "noise down" and keeping a "low profile " while digging is a great tip. Thank you all

 

[TerryC]

If the lawn is well manicured, it is also well watered. Find out from the owner what the watering schedule is and dig the following day(s). Don't bring fertilizer as the owner has that covered. TTC

 

[cammobunker]

Depends on a lot of different factors really, like grass type, frequency of routine watering, whether or not the grass was fertilized the previous fall. A healthy, well watered lawn can survive plug digging even in mid summer. Of course, the kind of people who take care of their lawns that well typically won't even let you walk on it, let alone dig in it.
Summertime for me is relic hunting time out in the woods, just me...and the ticks...and the snakes. It's also time to pay particular attention to construction sites and the swimming beaches.

 

[against the wind]

Yep, when it's get hot and dry,,
I get cool and wet. Just me and my Excalibur at the beach in the water.

 

[coinman123]

I spend most of my summer metal detecting in the woods and do farm fields very late in the year if there is no snow. I metal detect lawns in the fall or spring when the ground is damp.

 

[Kurios1]

You have already received good counsel so why not start to research water sights as you have an AT Pro. I own several machines but, my AT Pro is reserved for getting into the water. Lots of potential great finds in the streams and beaches of your area I reckon. It does take a certain kind of "crazy" to go wading through streams and dunking your head under water to recover targets. I have only about three months water detecting experience but, when it's pushing 90 degrees and above it's my only option for hunting. I enjoyed the heck out of it and can't wait to hit the water again this season. Cheers.