Brown spots after cutting a plug

[Hawk]

This is a good thread, not to be taken lightly. The actions taken can by one MDer can determine how many people look at us.....good or not so good.

I avoid MDing public areas when it is dry....unless it's a beach or less traveled, non maintained areas.

As far as cutting plugs in dirt, I do the flap method for most everything.....my understanding is it gives the roots the best chance for recovery. I also have a cloth that I put the dirt on from digging. The cloth also makes it a snap to put the dirt back in the hole leaving little, if any mess. I fold the flap back down and step on it so there is no mound. This also helps to keep the moisture in and the dryness out.

Another way to help is to get a pinpointer. It will go a long way in helping locate your find if it's in the plug and not shredding up the plug so much to inhibit the root recovery. It can also prevent you from doing more digging in the hole than you have to.

Hawk

[schoser]

down here it's always dry unless you're near a sprinkler system spicket or it's monsoon season...lol. so i usually don't cut a plug because it kills the grass quick and is just plain work. instead i go with the screwdriver and that actually isn't too bad because it seems easier for me to pinpoint a target quicker. if there is a better means of extraction i'm all ears .

[bigfrank]

Originally Posted by Hawk

This is a good thread, not to be taken lightly. The actions taken can by one MDer can determine how many people look at us.....good or not so good.

I avoid MDing public areas when it is dry....unless it's a beach or less traveled, non maintained areas.

As far as cutting plugs in dirt, I do the flap method for most everything.....my understanding is it gives the roots the best chance for recovery. I also have a cloth that I put the dirt on from digging. The cloth also makes it a snap to put the dirt back in the hole leaving little, if any mess. I fold the flap back down and step on it so there is no mound. This also helps to keep the moisture in and the dryness out.

Another way to help is to get a pinpointer. It will go a long way in helping locate your find if it's in the plug and not shredding up the plug so much to inhibit the root recovery. It can also prevent you from doing more digging in the hole than you have to.

Hawk

I agree with Hawk. A hand held pin pointer is almost a must. Even if you end up missing the target and its still in the hole, you can find it easier. I used a Bullseye II ( and still have it ) but have just went to a Sun ray inline pin pointer that goes on my MXT. It works really well!

I too cut a flap in grass, but now with the new pinpointer, the shallower targets get probed and extracted usually with a screwdriver.


Frank

[gator_bait]

When the ground is moist or wet, a plug can be removed and replaced usually without damage to the area. When dry, or on a hot day better to use flaps. Most grass roots are rhizomes, meaning they run horizontal beneath the ground and send grass shoots upward. When the plug is cut, it effectively cuts off the main rhizome from spreading itself. The cut off ends will then have to heal and spread from all directions to fix the damaged area. A flap on the other hand leaves the roots connected. A slit, like I use, do'es minimal damage and has the fastest repair time. The only thing better is probing, and cutting a tiny slit to extricate the target. In some cases when the ground looks dry, but you see there is dampness a few inches down, that water will wick itself to the surface during the night helping the repair process. Hope this helps...Gil

[Saraqa]

I know I am a newb here and to MDing. But I was a professional landscaper for years before I joined the Army and I agree with the previous poster as far as methods go. Another thing that nobody has touched on ( since everyone seems to be concerned with sod health) is whether you plug or flap, cover the roots from exposure to the sun while you are digging, that will prevent most of the damage done from the cut.

[Lt1stone]

I'll have to remember those tips.

[Gary]

When I'm putting back in the plug I pour a bit of B-12 on the roots,then put some mild grass starter fertilizer in the hole.Put the plug back in the hole then I tamp it down level and sprinkle a mixture of grass seed compising of Red Fescue and Kentucky Blue Grass.Water it then go back the next couple of days watering it as needed.

[mtpockets]

Just paint the Brown spots.....


Always Green Grass Painting

[homefire]

Don't have that problem around here! They just think !!!!!! Crap another Ground Squire! We don't have grass!

[john65803]

I dug the "halfmoon" type plugs and notice the grass dying a bit. I decided to pour a little water in the whole before replacing the plug and the grass looked much better in those areas than the non-watered plugs.