5 Best Sod Pluggers Right Now | Buyer’s Guide

Sod pluggers are also called planting tools. As their name suggests, they ‘plug’ out a sod or soil from the ground for planting/replanting or weed removal. Like other standard gardening tools, sod pluggers also work with a simple mechanism but offer a range of tasks.  Its shape is pretty similar to a manual air pump i.e. a narrow cylinder with bike-like handles on the top. A sod plugger usually has tapered bottom ends for getting through the ground surface. Moreover, the footrests given on each side of the business end exert pressure. 

Operating a sod plugger is pretty simple. Put it on the patch that needs to be plugged out of the ground. Hold it firmly from the handles and exert pressure through those side footrests to slot the plugger into the ground. Pull it out and you’ll have a precise hole for planting a bulb or sapling. 

Sod pluggers are easy to use and can make your vegetation activity a whole lot easier. They are not heavy on pockets either. We would strongly recommend this tool to all those people who take their gardening passion seriously. 

Listed below are the top 5 recommendations for the best sod pluggers:

• ProPlugger 5-in-1 Lawn Tool: A versatile gardening tool crafted from durable carbon steel, offering adjustable depth rings for varied planting depths. Noteworthy for its multifunctionality, it features narrow tubing, potentially limiting use for larger plants, and handles with foam padding prone to wear.
• Yard Butler Sod Plugger: A lightweight and user-friendly sod plugger designed for standard lawn applications, extracting precise square plugs. Notable drawbacks include a single-depth operation and business-end welding that may require improvement.
• Corona LG-3720 Sod Plugger: A sleek design distinguishes this sod plugger, equipped with slip-resistant footpegs and a built-in quick-release plunger. Its thin steel exterior raises concerns about long-term durability, and its application may be limited for specific tasks.
• Radius Garden 212 Pro Garden Bulb Auger: A rust-resistant stainless steel auger with an extended handle for efficient planting. While its durability is commendable, occasional bending may occur on exceptionally hard ground.
• Walensee Sod Plugger: A 5-in-1 gardening tool constructed from durable iron, featuring an ergonomic T-style grip handle and rust/weather resistance. Its versatility may not suit all plugging tasks.

Here is the list of the 5 best sod pluggers that you can use to help you quickly and easily plug holes in your lawn.

1. ProPlugger 5-in-1 Lawn Tool - The Perfect All-Around Sod Plugger

ProPlugger 5-in-1 is undoubtedly the best sod plugger on the block right now. As the title suggests, it is useful for five different gardening activities.  The five roles that this sod plugger plays are:

You can use it as a lawn plugger, a border planter, a bedding planter, to dig holes for bulbs or use its digging capability to take out weeds and unwanted sprouts 

Apart from providing various digging options, ProPlugger also stands out from other sod pluggers because it comes with depth rings. These rings are fitted at the bottom end to set the depth you want. You can dig holes that are 2, 4, and 6-inch-deep with the help of these rings.

The hollow cylinder frame allows you to dig multiple holes all at once. Once it gets filled with soil, shake it or tap it gently with a mattock to empty it. The sod plugger is made of carbon steel and coated with weather-proof paint. In short, it’s a study gardening piece that one can use for a long time and put anywhere without worrying about wear and tear.

The main downside of ProPlugger is its narrow tubing, which digs a 2.125-inch wide hole. This might not be wide enough for planting large saplings and bulbs. Moreover, the foam padding on the handles is a bit loose and looks prone to general deterioration.

2. Yard Butler Sod Plugger - The Best Sod Plugger for Lawns

This yard plugger is more simplistic in its working. Yard Butler has designed it for standard lawn sod plugging. However, you can also use it to dig holes in bulbs and samplings. Since it’s more of a specialized grass plugger, it works on all different turf species. Whether it’s Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine, or Bermuda, you can use it for every sort of grass plug transplantation.

The Yard Butler Sod Plugger has a different construction than a ProPlugger. It’s a rod with its business end being a square case of 3”x3” dimensions. With saw-tooth edges and footpegs on top, this square frame ensures precise and easy digging for grass plugs. The perfectly cut square holes can also be used to plant some saplings.

One another good thing about this Yard Butler product is that it’s not that heavy. With just 4 lb of weight, it’s ideal for seniors who love to work in gardens but can’t do so because of heavy gardening tools. Even with such a lightweight, Yard Butler has maintained the durability of its steel sod plugger with powder coating.

Now let’s look at some of the shortcomings of this product. To begin with, you can dig holes of only one depth. Moreover, it doesn’t have a long hollow cylinder-like ProPlugger. So, you can only pull one plug at a time. Lastly, the square business end is attached to the tube with just a single weld which might not work well for extensive use.  

Overall, this simple-to-use sod plugger is more suitable for odd lawn turf replacements.

3. Corona LG-3720 Sod Plugger - A Sod Plugger with Turf Release Plunger

Corona LG-3720 is also designed on the lines of Yard Butler’s sod plugger. However, it’s an improvement on that design.  For instance, it comes with a built-in quick-release plunger that removes the plug with a single touch. You won’t need to turn it upside down again and again and nor do you need to hammer it with a mallet.

Moreover, the footpegs contain slip-resistant treads so you can put out a plug in a single attempt without slipping off. Like Yard Butler, it also gives the square plug of 3-inch dimensions that are ideal for many grass turfs and some of the other plants.  

LG-3720 is the sleekest sod plugger on our list. It looks like Corona has particularly worked on the shape and appearance of its product.  With curvilinear handles designed for comfortable handling, the sod plugger is draped in two colors: red and light gray. While Corona has primarily designed it for the single purpose of putting turf plugs in grassless patches of lawns, one can adapt its use for other planting tasks as well.

Even though the early use of Corona LG-3720 doesn’t show any significant signs of deterioration, our experts believe that it’s prone to wear and tear in the long run. This reservation has brewed from the fact that the external steel frame of this sod plugger is really thin. This constriction makes it a lightweight tool but perhaps at the cost of durability. The lack of any guarantee from the manufacturer also makes these concerns more probable.

Nonetheless, this Corona model is effective and easy to manage. Moreover, pulling out and putting in sod plugs is not an everyday gardening activity. So, it is likely that the toughness and durability of the LG-3720 won’t need to go through durability testing.

4. Radius Garden 212 Pro Garden Bulb Auger

The Radius Garden 212 Pro Garden Bulb Auger is an essential garden tool designed to make your gardening tasks much more manageable. This adaptable and advanced auger can create ideal holes for a range of flowers, including daffodils, and tulips, promoting a streamlined planting experience. With its robust construction and user-centric design, it is definitely worth considering as a valuable addition to your gardening toolkit.

We admired the Radius Garden 212 for numerous reasons. Firstly, the blade is constructed from stainless steel, ensuring reliable penetration in various soil types. Moreover, the powder-coated steel body offers resistance against rust, improving durability and lifespan.

The extended handle is a fantastic feature, avoiding excessive bending and allowing you to plant flowers while standing straight. This considerably reduces back strain and conserves time. Additionally, its comfortable grip and foot bar provide extra leverage, making it easy to use across different garden tools. The sharp teeth on the auger create precise holes in multiple soil types, further emphasizing the well-designed and user-focused aspects.

One minor drawback to this plugger is its tendency to bend when used on exceptionally hard ground. However, this issue is not common and can be easily avoided by moistening the soil before use.

5. Walensee Sod Plugger

The Walensee Sod Plugger is an all-encompassing 5-in-1 gardening tool, designed to cater to a wide range of garden-related tasks, such as transplanting and cultivating plants, weeding, and examining soil. This product boasts a unique set of features that make it prominent among other sod pluggers in the market.

We were particularly impressed by the Walensee Sod Plugger's durability and adaptability. Manufactured using iron material and covered in powder coating, it comes with excellent rust resistance and impressive weather resistance capabilities, ensuring longevity.

The T-style grip handle is ergonomically designed for a comfortable hold and reduced fatigue during long working hours. Its 17.5-inch pipe handle saves space and is user-friendly. At a total height of 32.5 inches, the sod plugger enables planting bulbs while maintaining an upright posture, enhancing comfort and efficiency.

A distinct plunger is integrated near the handle for the effortless release of sod plugs without any complications. Moreover, the tool's appealing exterior design and simple assembly procedure amplify its overall allure.

While the Walensee Sod Plugger is versatile and easy to use, it may not be suitable for every type of plugging task. Gardeners handling more demanding or specific plugging tasks may need to consider alternative tools that cater to these requirements explicitly.

What Is the Best Sod Plugger?

This table presents a comparative analysis of key attributes of notable sod plugger tools, focusing on dimensions (in inches), weight (in pounds), material composition, business end shape, and digging depth.

Buying Guide for the Best Sod Plugger

Sod pluggers are not high-end gardening tools. However, it’s not a fine reason to buy them without due deliberation. You can see in the above reviews that no two sod pluggers are similar in all of their features. So, whenever you are looking to buy a sod plugger, always assess them for their features to get the best-customized option.

Sturdy Hardwearing Body

Sod pluggers are force-exerting tools designed to be used in rough outdoors. So, their main body frame or shaft should always be sturdy. Look for options that are made of high-quality metallic alloys that don’t snap even after repeated use. While assessing the thickness and quality of the external frame, also see if it is weather-coated. The weather coating delays the natural corrosion of the tool to a significant extent.

A Size that Matches Your Height

Always look for a sod plugger with a shaft size that complements your height. The idea is to get a sod plugger that you don’t have to bend excessively to exert the force. Working with a sod plugger where you have to go down can be quite taxing for your back.  The last two options discussed here particularly take care of this factor.

Plug Dimensions

Plug, the business end of a plugger is also one of the features you should factor in while buying a sod plugger. As you can see, some pluggers have the square and some have circular business ends. Similarly, the depth of plugs also varies. 3x3” plugs are ideal for lawns but for other plantations, you will need deeper plugs. So, take into account what plug dimensions will be required for your particular gardening activity while buying a sod plugger.

Plug Release

Except for Corona Sod Plugger, you need to pull out the soil plugs through excessive shaking or by taping the business end with a hammer. This is a shortcoming found in most sod pluggers. If you have to exclusively work on grass turfs and patching, pick a sod plugger that also offers a one-touch plug release just like Corona LG-3720.

Whenever you want to buy a sod plugger, look out for these four features to pick a product that delivers the gardening work you need.

After carefully examining various sod pluggers on the market, we have established the top three expert recommendations to cater to different gardening needs. Each of these sod pluggers offers unique features and benefits to enhance your gardening experience in distinct ways.

From the above five best sod pluggers, here are our top three expert recommendations:

For gardeners seeking an all-around versatile plugger that can perform multiple functions, the ProPlugger 5-in-1 Lawn Tool serves as an ideal option. As the name suggests, this tool is suitable for five different gardening activities. Its carbon steel frame ensures durability, and the depth adjustment allows gardeners to pull plugs for various types of plantation. However, its small diameter cylinder and the quality of the foam padding on the handles could be improved.

If your primary need revolves around a sod plugger that caters specifically to lawn planting and maintenance, the Yard Butler Sod Plugger presents itself as a good option. With its lightweight steel body, it is easy to use and requires no adjustment. It pulls out a large and distinctive square plug. Despite these advantages, its single-depth functionality and inability to pull out multiple plugs consecutively may limit its applications for some gardeners.

On the other hand, the Corona LG-3720 Sod Plugger offers an improvement on the Yard Butler design. It comes equipped with a built-in quick-release plunger, eliminating the need for constant turning and hammering while using the tool. Its footpegs contain slip-resistant treads for secure plugging, and its curvilinear handles enable comfortable handling. Although this sod plugger is lightweight and has an attractive exterior design, its steel exterior is not as thick as some users may prefer, raising questions regarding its long-term durability.

By considering the unique features and benefits of these top three expert recommendations for sod pluggers, you can make an informed choice based on your needs and preferences. Each of these options offers different benefits, such as versatility, specific lawn plugging functionality, or built-in quick-release plungers. By selecting the most appropriate sod plugger for your needs, you can look forward to a more enjoyable and efficient gardening experience.