We were contacted by the makers of ProPlugger early this winter while we were down in Florida. They asked that we try out their product, the ProPlugger, and tell them what we thought of it.
I start at the end, DH hosing off the ProPlugger XL
Their website shows several ways of using it
ProPlugger makes digging anything easy. Note the brass ring at the bottom, which serves the purpose of limiting the depth of the cut. Each ProPlugger come with two such rings with different internal diameters to fit the tapered cutting end of the ProPlugger, thus allowing two different depths for cutting the soil.
We agreed to try it out, and asked that we be able to try it both in Florida and in Maryland, because of the difference in soils, weeds, and stuff in general. They agreed and we received two packages in the mail: one was a ProPlugger, which digs a 1 5/8 inch diameter hole, and a ProPlugger XL, which digs a 2 1/8 inch hole. We had a large bare spot in the front yard where the St. Augustine grass had all died off, so we went to our local Lowes, bought a flat of 15 plugs, and returned to “do battle.”
You just step on the ProPlugger to dig, either right or left foot
When we compared the size of the plugs to the two ProPlugger models, we saw how much larger the XL model was, so that is the one we decided to use for the grass rejuventation. Let it be said that we had done this without the ProPlugger a couple of years ago and were not happy with the outcome. It was a lot of work, even in sand, and the plugs did not take – couldn’t get the holes deep and regular in size enough, so the plugs died out around their edges, eventually succumbing to the heat. This time, DH was able to dig out the holes for the plugs, empty the ProPlugger, plant the plugs, and wash the ProPlugger all in about 30 minutes time, and he said it was EASY! Even in our loose Florida sand “soil”, the plugs stayed inside the plug cutter!
You just turn the ProPlugger upside down to empty it!
All that is required is to step on the ProPlugger (can use either right or left foot), twist the pipe, and pull up the plug of dirt or sand. You can dig several holes without emptying the pipe because the pipe has a slight taper to it (not noticeable) that holds the plug of dirt. Emptying the pipe requires nothing more than turning it upside down, with the handle aimed at a bucket or the ground to receive the accumulated dirt or sand plugs.
Emptying the ProPlugger of clay in Maryland
We also have volunteer saw palmetto all over, so we tried to dig them up with the ProPlugger, but the roots of these things go down at least a foot or more, and just couldn’t be dug up by the relatively shallower ProPlugger. Too bad, but understandable. Even without the removable disks, the plugger could not cut deeply enough for these very deep plants.
In Maryland, DH used the ProPlugger to dig holes for new mail-order plants. I order by mail precisely because they are small plants and fairly easy for me to transplant by shovel or trowel.
Digging up in Maryland in clay soil
The original hole was enlarged by eating around it with the ProPlugger
This time, DH did the digging via the ProPlugger, gradually “eating” out a larger hole than just one stomp of the ProPlugger takes out, making a hole the size needed.
Quart-sized blackberry being inserted after digging with the ProPlugger
Again, he said it was easy!
We have plans to show you the ProPlugger for transplanting liriope (very difficult to dig with a shovel) on a later post.
The completed blackberry with the ProPlugger next to it!
We have to say that this device is a wonderful tool, well worth its price, very well made, and very heavy duty. We are looking forward to using it again for some serious weed work and transplanting.
