CA1302709C - Method of cultivating plants, vegetables and grasses, and growth medium therefor - Google Patents
Method of cultivating plants, vegetables and grasses, and growth medium thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1302709C CA1302709C CA000528071A CA528071A CA1302709C CA 1302709 C CA1302709 C CA 1302709C CA 000528071 A CA000528071 A CA 000528071A CA 528071 A CA528071 A CA 528071A CA 1302709 C CA1302709 C CA 1302709C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mat
- sheet
- base
- underside
- seams
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 239000001963 growth medium Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 6
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 title abstract description 5
- 241000209504 Poaceae Species 0.000 title abstract 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000000050 nutritive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000035784 germination Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920001131 Pulp (paper) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002522 Wood fibre Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 240000000491 Corchorus aestuans Species 0.000 claims 1
- 235000011777 Corchorus aestuans Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 235000010862 Corchorus capsularis Nutrition 0.000 claims 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002025 wood fiber Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003864 humus Substances 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000013585 weight reducing agent Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 102100040428 Chitobiosyldiphosphodolichol beta-mannosyltransferase Human genes 0.000 description 12
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 4
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000012010 growth Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001502381 Budorcas taxicolor Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 240000008415 Lactuca sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000003228 Lactuca sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241001275902 Parabramis pekinensis Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001163743 Perlodes Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000008216 herbs Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexamethylenetetramine Chemical compound C1N(C2)CN3CN1CN2C3 VKYKSIONXSXAKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001802 infusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008635 plant growth Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002786 root growth Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G20/00—Cultivation of turf, lawn or the like; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G20/10—Pre-cultivated sod or turf; Apparatus therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G20/00—Cultivation of turf, lawn or the like; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G20/20—Cultivation on mats
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
- Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Protection Of Plants (AREA)
- Hydroponics (AREA)
- Soil Working Implements (AREA)
- Transplanting Machines (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A method of cultivating plants, vegetables, or grasses, which comprises broadcasting seeds onto a mat of natural fibrous fleecy material located on a base of water-impermeable material, irrigating the mat with nutritive solution to enable germination of the seeds to produce seedlings and, after roots have grown through to the underside of the mat adjacent the base, peeling the mat from the base for transfer to an installation site for the seedlings. The invention has the advantage that no humus growth medium is required, which results in significant weight reduction and consequent savings in cost and labour where, for example, the technique is used for cultivation of turf.
A method of cultivating plants, vegetables, or grasses, which comprises broadcasting seeds onto a mat of natural fibrous fleecy material located on a base of water-impermeable material, irrigating the mat with nutritive solution to enable germination of the seeds to produce seedlings and, after roots have grown through to the underside of the mat adjacent the base, peeling the mat from the base for transfer to an installation site for the seedlings. The invention has the advantage that no humus growth medium is required, which results in significant weight reduction and consequent savings in cost and labour where, for example, the technique is used for cultivation of turf.
Description
r--~
13~2709 This invention relates to a method of growlng plants, vegetables and 8rasses and to the finished product of such a method, and is especlally concerned with the production of turf on 8 commerclal basls.
Turf or sod is usually grown in carefully prepared native 8011 and lifted ~n strlps or sections wlth speclal machines. To prevent tearin8 of the strips ; durin~ thelr peeling, transportation snd installation on-site, a woven or webbed mat is often used, which become interwoven with the turf. It is also known to cultivate turf, with or without such a reinforcement mat, on a plastic sheet acting as a ~eparation layer to facilitate lifting and peeling away of the turf. All conventional turfs and methods for cultivation of ~ame - even where reinforcement mats or the llke are used - have lt ln common that the soil for the 8rass seed requires an atditional layer of peat-mo~s, humus or fertile native 8011. The damp humus layer, which 18 several centimeters thick and in which the 8rass takes root, maXes the turf rolls heavy and unwelldy. The turf can therefore be transported only ln small pleces of, typically, 30 by 80 centimeters, and even a small plece of that size weighs about 20 k8-It 18 an ob~ect of the present inventlon to provlde a novel method ofcultlvatlng plants, vegetables and Brasses whereby the products are very li~ht in welght and, which in the case of turf, especlally, can be harvested in relatlvely large pleces or in strlps of varylng wltths and lengths, and yet are easlly transported. It 18 a further ob~ect of the lnvention to provlde a simple, energy efficient and labour savlng method of cultivating such products - especlally turf - whlch requires only slmple and inexpensive equipment.
In the practice of the present invention, no humus layer is requlred for cultlvatlon of the vegetatlon. Instead, a flbrous fleecy mat of only a few mlllimeters in thlckness and which has on lts resr surface a perforated foil made from bio-degradable synthetic materlal, is used for the germinatlon of the seeds and growth of the vegetation and ls irrlgated wlth a suitable nutrltive solutlon 80 that the roots 8row wlthout need of a humus layer into the fleecy mat and feed on the nutrltlve moisture contalned therein. The roots grow through the perforatlons of the sheet, whlch 18 attached to the rear surface of the mat or may alternatlvely be mbedded theroln - pr-ferably in the lower thlrd of the mat thickne~-. By thi~ mothod, thlck growth of vegetatlon develops in a very short spac- of time. In the ca~- of ~ra~, for , -- 1 --~ 13~Z709 example, because no addltlonal humus layer is used, the turf has little we~ght; ~t can be produced in very long strlps, easily be rolled up, and slmply and cheaply transported. The installation of the turf from the rolls or strlps i8 ~reatly facilitated by its light weight.
As the natural fibre material for the fibrous fleecy mat, several materials are sultable, such as ~ute, felt, processed wood fibres or pulp.
The structure and thickness of the flbrous Sleecy mat is 80 selected that the seeds sown on its surface will not be harmed but, to the contrary, will become well embedded therein. ~he mat must have ~ood absorption for the retention of the nutritive moisture and allow the vegetation to take root easily and to 8 through the fleece materlal to lts rear surface. The additlonal perforated synthetic sheet assures that the moisture stored in the overlying mat remains there and does not easlly drain away. By careful design of the size and position of the perforations in the synthetic sheet, the process of storage and draina8e can be controlled. Through these perforations, the roots can grow easily to the rear surface of the mat and develop adequate length and density. Slmultaneously, the perforated sheet sandwiched withln the fleecy mat stabilizes the mat and, in the case of a turf product, prevents penetration by weeds once the sod is laid at the installation site. The synthetic sheet material slowly decays to~ether with the natural fibres of the fleecy mat after lnstallatlon of the turf and only after the 8rass has flrmly taXen root ln the natlve 8011 at the site.
Turf prepared by thls method can be produced without large investments ln labour or special equipment, and can be'transported ln relatively large pieces and strip~. It can be installed easlly by laymen and its use in the form of large, wide strips is especlally suitable for the sodding of slopes and erosion control.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nutritive solution is fed continuously from beneath the fibrous fleecy mat. Thls keeps the fleecy layer constantly moist and enables the use of water-soluble fertilizers to provide a contlnuous source of nourlshment. The lrrlgation and nourishment from below the mat prevents rapld evaporation from the surface of the mat and, by employment of suitable probes and assoclated equipment, the contlnuous flow of nutritlve solutlons can be automated by techniques which will be readily apparent to those s~llled ln the art.
' ' ' .
~3~Z7~g As stated above, the present invention is, of course, not confined to the production of turf but is applicable to the cultlvation of vegetables, such as lettuce or other small plants. By using the novel mat of this invention for the planting and growing of kitchen herbs, ve~etables, flowers, etc. on a balcony, window sill or terrace, the need for a humus or other such growth medium i8 obviated.
A piece of the novel mat may be placed ln a suitable flat container, soaked in nutritive solutions and the plant seeds added. Germination, takin~
root and plant growth in the fibrous fleecy mat proceeds in the same manner as described above.
The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanyin~ drawings, wherein:
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side elevation and partially cut-away perspective views of a plece of turf beinB grown ln accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention Pigure 3 is a plan view of an irri8atlon base for use in the process of the invention and Pigures 4 and 5 are respectively sectlonal and plan views of a further desi8n of lrrigation base for use in the invention.
Z0 Figures 1 and 2 show a plece of turf in the course of protuction, such piece consistlng of a mat 1 of compressed bio-degradable natural flbres into the lower thlrd of the thic1~ness of which a perforatet sheet 2, mate from bio-degradable synthetlc material and havlng perforatlons 3, is incorporated.
The 8rass plants 25 are grown without a humus layer directly into the loose fibrous fleecy structure of the mat 1 ant the roots 26 grow through the perforatlons 3 of the sheet 2 down to its rear surface ant spread out to form a network along the impermeable surface of an irrl8atlon base 4. While the turf can be cultivated on a synthetic sheet formin~ a base for the mat 1, it is preferable that such base take the form of an irrigation medium, such as the base 4 shown in the drawlngs. This consists of two plastic sheets 5 and 6, which are connected in a predetermined pattern along weldin~ seams 7. The seams 7 define conduits 8 and the irrigation base 18 further divided by the seams into a plurality of ~eparate, interconnectot chambers~ The upper plastic sheet 5 has perforations 15 over it~ entlre urface. Th- thus prepared, welded and perforated base 18 fabrlcated in ~trips, whlch can be cut ~3~2~09 lnto desired lengths 12 ant the ed8es 10 and 11 of the cuts welded closed ~F~Rure 3).
At one or more locatlons 14, communlcating wlth the conduits 8, a commerclal hose connection 13 18 provided. Vla a hose, nutritlve solutlons can be infused lnto the conduit 8, and thereafter dispersed in the directlons illustrated by arrow~ 9 of Pl~ure 3 into the chambers created by weldlng seams 7. By infusion of the llquid under pressure, tho walls of the plastic sheets are swelled and the pressurlzed liquid exits via the perforations 15 into the underside of the mat 1, whereby the mat is irri8ated evenly with nutritive.
The mat 1 may be placed either loosely over the base 4 or bonded thereto alon~ the ed6es of the mat and the base, thus preventln8 1098 of nutritive solution from the ed6es. If mat 1 and base 4 are directly bonded to6ether~
the synthetlc sheet 2 wlthin the mat 1 may be omltted.
Fi6ures 4 and S illustrate a further example of a sultable irrl6ation base 23, having welding seams 17 arran6ed ln diamond confisuratlons 80 that dla~onal canals 18 are formed, throu6h which nutritive solutions may be infused from the outside and which reach the exit openings 20 in the upper sheet 21 in the dlrectlons of the arrows 19.
In the cultivation of turf without a humus layer but with the use of a natural fibrous fleecy mat 1, the ~rass seed 18 broadcast over the surface of the mat. ~t the same tlme, the mat 18 soaXed in a sultable nutritlve solution from the underlylng lrrigation base. Germlnatlon of the seed should take place in a greenhouse to avold the seed belng blown off the surface of the mat by wind or washed away by raln. Depending on the species of grass, the plants develop w~thln 10 to 14 days, under constant lrrl8atlon wlth nutritive solutions in the mat. The roots penetrate the perforatlons 3 of the sheet 2 ~i~ present) and grow to form a networX of roots on the underside of the mat.
Some roots grow through the perforatlons lS and 20 of the irrlgation base 4 and extend lnto the condults 8 and absorb nutrltlve solution from the inside of the base. Once a thick carpet of 8reen ~ras~ has grown on the surfaco of the mat 1, the mat and base are removed from the breenhouse to allow the turf to develop for another 14 days. The mat 1 wlth the ln~rown 8rass can now be separated from base 4, the root~ whlch h-v~ ~rown Into the perforatlon~ 15 nd 20 bein~ lifted or torn away. The turf, in piec-- or ~trlps, s requ~red, ls then rolled up and tran~ported to tSe in~tallatlon sit-.
~` ' .
:
13(:~Z7~9 The dlmensions of the turf rolls or pieces are detesmlned by their lntended use and the base msy be constructed ln a sln~le piece to flt the dQsired dlmenslons or be assembled from lnterchan8eable pleces.
The extremely short 8ermlnatlon perlod for the seets 18 made posslble by the use of the blo-degradable flbrous fleecy mat ln comblnatlon wlth the sheet 2 tif present). She somblnstlon of the mst and the sheet 2 and~or the irri~ation base allows the mst to be malntalned molst wlth nutrltlve solutions. The mat 1 is made from felt or ~ute and preferably has a thicXness of between 5 and 10 mlllimeters. Where a synthetlc sheet 2 is used, the mat is fused with the perforated sheet by means of needle rollers, glue or wells.
The composite comprislng the mat 1 wlth the intermedlate synthetlc sheet 2 can be made by placing a thln layer of blo-degradable synthetlc material on the fibrous fleecy mat (typically of five mlllimeters thickness) and sandwiching the sheet wlth a further thln fibrous fleecy mat of 2 to 3 mllllmeters thlcXness. The composlte thus formed 18 needled together, which at the same time forms the parforatlons ln the sheet. Slnce the mst 1 and sheet 2 consist excluslvely of bio-degradable msterlal whlch, after lnstallatlon of the turf on the native soil of the slte, wlll rot wlthln a few months, they are therefore ecologically hlghly deslrable.
The mat may be cut by means of sclssors to deslred shapes and slzes even by unskllled persons and easlly installed.
Cermlnatlon of the turf ln the mst can taXe place on any root-lmpermeable base but, for systematlc farmlng of sod, tha tescrlbed lrrl8atlon base 4 18 especially advantageous slnce the dosages of nutrltlve ~olution can easlly be regulated and controlled.
~,, ~, .
13~2709 This invention relates to a method of growlng plants, vegetables and 8rasses and to the finished product of such a method, and is especlally concerned with the production of turf on 8 commerclal basls.
Turf or sod is usually grown in carefully prepared native 8011 and lifted ~n strlps or sections wlth speclal machines. To prevent tearin8 of the strips ; durin~ thelr peeling, transportation snd installation on-site, a woven or webbed mat is often used, which become interwoven with the turf. It is also known to cultivate turf, with or without such a reinforcement mat, on a plastic sheet acting as a ~eparation layer to facilitate lifting and peeling away of the turf. All conventional turfs and methods for cultivation of ~ame - even where reinforcement mats or the llke are used - have lt ln common that the soil for the 8rass seed requires an atditional layer of peat-mo~s, humus or fertile native 8011. The damp humus layer, which 18 several centimeters thick and in which the 8rass takes root, maXes the turf rolls heavy and unwelldy. The turf can therefore be transported only ln small pleces of, typically, 30 by 80 centimeters, and even a small plece of that size weighs about 20 k8-It 18 an ob~ect of the present inventlon to provlde a novel method ofcultlvatlng plants, vegetables and Brasses whereby the products are very li~ht in welght and, which in the case of turf, especlally, can be harvested in relatlvely large pleces or in strlps of varylng wltths and lengths, and yet are easlly transported. It 18 a further ob~ect of the lnvention to provlde a simple, energy efficient and labour savlng method of cultivating such products - especlally turf - whlch requires only slmple and inexpensive equipment.
In the practice of the present invention, no humus layer is requlred for cultlvatlon of the vegetatlon. Instead, a flbrous fleecy mat of only a few mlllimeters in thlckness and which has on lts resr surface a perforated foil made from bio-degradable synthetic materlal, is used for the germinatlon of the seeds and growth of the vegetation and ls irrlgated wlth a suitable nutrltive solutlon 80 that the roots 8row wlthout need of a humus layer into the fleecy mat and feed on the nutrltlve moisture contalned therein. The roots grow through the perforatlons of the sheet, whlch 18 attached to the rear surface of the mat or may alternatlvely be mbedded theroln - pr-ferably in the lower thlrd of the mat thickne~-. By thi~ mothod, thlck growth of vegetatlon develops in a very short spac- of time. In the ca~- of ~ra~, for , -- 1 --~ 13~Z709 example, because no addltlonal humus layer is used, the turf has little we~ght; ~t can be produced in very long strlps, easily be rolled up, and slmply and cheaply transported. The installation of the turf from the rolls or strlps i8 ~reatly facilitated by its light weight.
As the natural fibre material for the fibrous fleecy mat, several materials are sultable, such as ~ute, felt, processed wood fibres or pulp.
The structure and thickness of the flbrous Sleecy mat is 80 selected that the seeds sown on its surface will not be harmed but, to the contrary, will become well embedded therein. ~he mat must have ~ood absorption for the retention of the nutritive moisture and allow the vegetation to take root easily and to 8 through the fleece materlal to lts rear surface. The additlonal perforated synthetic sheet assures that the moisture stored in the overlying mat remains there and does not easlly drain away. By careful design of the size and position of the perforations in the synthetic sheet, the process of storage and draina8e can be controlled. Through these perforations, the roots can grow easily to the rear surface of the mat and develop adequate length and density. Slmultaneously, the perforated sheet sandwiched withln the fleecy mat stabilizes the mat and, in the case of a turf product, prevents penetration by weeds once the sod is laid at the installation site. The synthetic sheet material slowly decays to~ether with the natural fibres of the fleecy mat after lnstallatlon of the turf and only after the 8rass has flrmly taXen root ln the natlve 8011 at the site.
Turf prepared by thls method can be produced without large investments ln labour or special equipment, and can be'transported ln relatively large pieces and strip~. It can be installed easlly by laymen and its use in the form of large, wide strips is especlally suitable for the sodding of slopes and erosion control.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nutritive solution is fed continuously from beneath the fibrous fleecy mat. Thls keeps the fleecy layer constantly moist and enables the use of water-soluble fertilizers to provide a contlnuous source of nourlshment. The lrrlgation and nourishment from below the mat prevents rapld evaporation from the surface of the mat and, by employment of suitable probes and assoclated equipment, the contlnuous flow of nutritlve solutlons can be automated by techniques which will be readily apparent to those s~llled ln the art.
' ' ' .
~3~Z7~g As stated above, the present invention is, of course, not confined to the production of turf but is applicable to the cultlvation of vegetables, such as lettuce or other small plants. By using the novel mat of this invention for the planting and growing of kitchen herbs, ve~etables, flowers, etc. on a balcony, window sill or terrace, the need for a humus or other such growth medium i8 obviated.
A piece of the novel mat may be placed ln a suitable flat container, soaked in nutritive solutions and the plant seeds added. Germination, takin~
root and plant growth in the fibrous fleecy mat proceeds in the same manner as described above.
The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanyin~ drawings, wherein:
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side elevation and partially cut-away perspective views of a plece of turf beinB grown ln accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention Pigure 3 is a plan view of an irri8atlon base for use in the process of the invention and Pigures 4 and 5 are respectively sectlonal and plan views of a further desi8n of lrrigation base for use in the invention.
Z0 Figures 1 and 2 show a plece of turf in the course of protuction, such piece consistlng of a mat 1 of compressed bio-degradable natural flbres into the lower thlrd of the thic1~ness of which a perforatet sheet 2, mate from bio-degradable synthetlc material and havlng perforatlons 3, is incorporated.
The 8rass plants 25 are grown without a humus layer directly into the loose fibrous fleecy structure of the mat 1 ant the roots 26 grow through the perforatlons 3 of the sheet 2 down to its rear surface ant spread out to form a network along the impermeable surface of an irrl8atlon base 4. While the turf can be cultivated on a synthetic sheet formin~ a base for the mat 1, it is preferable that such base take the form of an irrigation medium, such as the base 4 shown in the drawlngs. This consists of two plastic sheets 5 and 6, which are connected in a predetermined pattern along weldin~ seams 7. The seams 7 define conduits 8 and the irrigation base 18 further divided by the seams into a plurality of ~eparate, interconnectot chambers~ The upper plastic sheet 5 has perforations 15 over it~ entlre urface. Th- thus prepared, welded and perforated base 18 fabrlcated in ~trips, whlch can be cut ~3~2~09 lnto desired lengths 12 ant the ed8es 10 and 11 of the cuts welded closed ~F~Rure 3).
At one or more locatlons 14, communlcating wlth the conduits 8, a commerclal hose connection 13 18 provided. Vla a hose, nutritlve solutlons can be infused lnto the conduit 8, and thereafter dispersed in the directlons illustrated by arrow~ 9 of Pl~ure 3 into the chambers created by weldlng seams 7. By infusion of the llquid under pressure, tho walls of the plastic sheets are swelled and the pressurlzed liquid exits via the perforations 15 into the underside of the mat 1, whereby the mat is irri8ated evenly with nutritive.
The mat 1 may be placed either loosely over the base 4 or bonded thereto alon~ the ed6es of the mat and the base, thus preventln8 1098 of nutritive solution from the ed6es. If mat 1 and base 4 are directly bonded to6ether~
the synthetlc sheet 2 wlthin the mat 1 may be omltted.
Fi6ures 4 and S illustrate a further example of a sultable irrl6ation base 23, having welding seams 17 arran6ed ln diamond confisuratlons 80 that dla~onal canals 18 are formed, throu6h which nutritive solutions may be infused from the outside and which reach the exit openings 20 in the upper sheet 21 in the dlrectlons of the arrows 19.
In the cultivation of turf without a humus layer but with the use of a natural fibrous fleecy mat 1, the ~rass seed 18 broadcast over the surface of the mat. ~t the same tlme, the mat 18 soaXed in a sultable nutritlve solution from the underlylng lrrigation base. Germlnatlon of the seed should take place in a greenhouse to avold the seed belng blown off the surface of the mat by wind or washed away by raln. Depending on the species of grass, the plants develop w~thln 10 to 14 days, under constant lrrl8atlon wlth nutritive solutions in the mat. The roots penetrate the perforatlons 3 of the sheet 2 ~i~ present) and grow to form a networX of roots on the underside of the mat.
Some roots grow through the perforatlons lS and 20 of the irrlgation base 4 and extend lnto the condults 8 and absorb nutrltlve solution from the inside of the base. Once a thick carpet of 8reen ~ras~ has grown on the surfaco of the mat 1, the mat and base are removed from the breenhouse to allow the turf to develop for another 14 days. The mat 1 wlth the ln~rown 8rass can now be separated from base 4, the root~ whlch h-v~ ~rown Into the perforatlon~ 15 nd 20 bein~ lifted or torn away. The turf, in piec-- or ~trlps, s requ~red, ls then rolled up and tran~ported to tSe in~tallatlon sit-.
~` ' .
:
13(:~Z7~9 The dlmensions of the turf rolls or pieces are detesmlned by their lntended use and the base msy be constructed ln a sln~le piece to flt the dQsired dlmenslons or be assembled from lnterchan8eable pleces.
The extremely short 8ermlnatlon perlod for the seets 18 made posslble by the use of the blo-degradable flbrous fleecy mat ln comblnatlon wlth the sheet 2 tif present). She somblnstlon of the mst and the sheet 2 and~or the irri~ation base allows the mst to be malntalned molst wlth nutrltlve solutions. The mat 1 is made from felt or ~ute and preferably has a thicXness of between 5 and 10 mlllimeters. Where a synthetlc sheet 2 is used, the mat is fused with the perforated sheet by means of needle rollers, glue or wells.
The composite comprislng the mat 1 wlth the intermedlate synthetlc sheet 2 can be made by placing a thln layer of blo-degradable synthetlc material on the fibrous fleecy mat (typically of five mlllimeters thickness) and sandwiching the sheet wlth a further thln fibrous fleecy mat of 2 to 3 mllllmeters thlcXness. The composlte thus formed 18 needled together, which at the same time forms the parforatlons ln the sheet. Slnce the mst 1 and sheet 2 consist excluslvely of bio-degradable msterlal whlch, after lnstallatlon of the turf on the native soil of the slte, wlll rot wlthln a few months, they are therefore ecologically hlghly deslrable.
The mat may be cut by means of sclssors to deslred shapes and slzes even by unskllled persons and easlly installed.
Cermlnatlon of the turf ln the mst can taXe place on any root-lmpermeable base but, for systematlc farmlng of sod, tha tescrlbed lrrl8atlon base 4 18 especially advantageous slnce the dosages of nutrltlve ~olution can easlly be regulated and controlled.
~,, ~, .
Claims (4)
1. A growth medium for plants comprising a mat of compressed bio-degradable natural fibrous fleecy material having in contact with the underside thereof an irrigation base, said base comprising a first and second sheet of water-impermeable material held together along their edges and along a pattern of seams between said edges so arranged as to define a plurality of elongated channels between said seams and said sheets, at least part of said channels conducting a nutritive solution therethrough, and being interconnected with one another, said first sheet having a major surface with a plurality of perforations, said mat underside being placed directly over an area of said sheet formed with said perforations.
2. A growth medium as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bio-degradable natural fibrous fleecing material is selected from the group consisting of jute, felt, processed wood fibers and pulp.
3. A growth medium for plants comprising a mat having a first and second layer with each of said layers being formed from a natural fibrous fleecy material, an irrigation base in contact with an underside of said mat, said base comprising a first and second sheet of water-impermeable material held together along their edges and along a pattern of seams between said edges so arranged as to define a plurality of elongated channels between said seams and said sheets, at least part of said channels conducting a nutritive solution therethrough, said first sheet having a major surface with a plurality of perforations, said mat underside being placed directly over an area of said sheet formed with said perforations, and a sheet of synthetic bio-degradable material being sandwiched between said first and second layer formed of said natural fibrous fleecing material and extending through said mat substantially parallel to major surfaces of said mat, said sheet of synthetic bio-degradable material having through-holes distributed thereacross to enable said nutritive solution to pass therethrough and also enable roots of said plants to grow through said synthetic bio-degradable sheet to said underside of said mat.
4. A method of cultivating plants which comprises broadcasting seeds onto a mat formed from a first and second layer each of natural fibrous fleecy material, said mat including a perforated sheet of bio-degradable synthetic material imbedded between said first and second layers and extending through said mat, and an irrigation base comprising a first and second sheet of water-impermeable material held together along their edges and along a pattern of seams between said edges so arranged as to define a plurality of elongated channels between said seams and said water-impermeable sheets, and said first water-impermeable sheet having a major surface with a plurality of perforations and directly thereabove supporting said mat, irrigating said mat with a nutritive solution conducted through said channels to enable germination of said seeds to produce seedlings and, after roots have grown through to the underside of said mat, peeling said mat from said base for transfer to an installation site for said seedlings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3602060.5 | 1986-01-24 | ||
| DE19863602060 DE3602060A1 (en) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-01-24 | ROLLING LAWN, MAT AND IRRIGATION PAD AND METHOD FOR TURNING ON ROLLING LAWN |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1302709C true CA1302709C (en) | 1992-06-09 |
Family
ID=6292511
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000528071A Expired - Lifetime CA1302709C (en) | 1986-01-24 | 1987-01-23 | Method of cultivating plants, vegetables and grasses, and growth medium therefor |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0234285B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE65356T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1302709C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3602060A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10548258B2 (en) | 2013-10-10 | 2020-02-04 | B+M Textil Gmbh & Co. Kg | Seed tape, seed tape system and greening or planting system |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3817480A1 (en) * | 1988-05-21 | 1989-11-23 | B & J Vliesstoff Gmbh | Nonwoven, production of the nonwoven and apparatus for producing the nonwoven for biological surface treatment |
| DE4215219C1 (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1993-08-05 | Robert Dr. 8100 Garmisch-Partenkirchen De Brehm | Mat and method for regenerating old lawns - has mat spread over levelled old lawns and is provided with attached grass seeds and integral nutrients |
| US6295756B1 (en) | 1992-06-22 | 2001-10-02 | Turf Stabilization Technologies Inc. | Surface for sports and other uses |
| US5489317A (en) * | 1992-06-22 | 1996-02-06 | Turf Systems International, Inc. | Surface for sports and other uses |
| US5850708C1 (en) * | 1992-06-22 | 2001-09-25 | Turf Stabilization Technologie | Surface for sports and other uses |
| AT1577U1 (en) * | 1996-09-05 | 1997-08-25 | Walter Augsberger Ges M B H | METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN EARTH-FREE ROLLING LAWN |
| DE29811722U1 (en) * | 1998-07-01 | 1998-10-08 | Behrens, Wolfgang, 27243 Groß Ippener | Vegetation element for laying on earth-bound areas |
| DE20202660U1 (en) * | 2002-02-20 | 2003-09-04 | P.V.P. Polymer Verarbeitung und Produktions GmbH & Co. KG, 07819 Triptis | Turf planting sheet is made from granules held together by flexible binder, grass being planted on one side of sheet and granules being made from recycled tires or shock absorbers |
| AT412049B (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-09-27 | Walter Augsberger Ges M B H | METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LAWN OR MEADOW TILES |
| GB2405569B (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2007-03-07 | Lindum Seeded Turf Ltd | Turf product |
| EP2947980B1 (en) * | 2013-01-23 | 2022-03-23 | Low & Bonar B.V. | Pre-vegetated vegetation element |
| AU2014218384B2 (en) * | 2013-08-26 | 2018-05-17 | Green Life Farms Pty Ltd | A method for producing turf segments |
| EP2921044A1 (en) * | 2014-03-21 | 2015-09-23 | DOLD Sportflächen GmbH | Ready-made lawn and manufacturing method for a ready-made lawn |
| CN110024588B (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2021-07-20 | 四川三合坡面科技有限公司 | Installation method of slope plant growth controller |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2321362A1 (en) * | 1973-04-27 | 1974-11-07 | Naue Kg E A H | Water permeable mat - prevents erosion of river banks, has bulky fibrous batt secured to rot resistant base |
| DE2438301A1 (en) * | 1974-08-09 | 1976-02-19 | Wolfgang Behrens | Lawn seed distributing system - seed distributed on base of highly porous material containing water or fertilizer placed on ground |
| US4065926A (en) * | 1975-07-18 | 1978-01-03 | Brandt Edison R | Subterranean irrigation system |
| CH603029A5 (en) * | 1975-07-30 | 1978-08-15 | Fritz Feller | Soil heating and irrigation system |
| FR2451699A1 (en) * | 1979-03-20 | 1980-10-17 | Piquilloud Pierre | Ready sown cover for lawn - has two sheets of porous flexible material joined by tufting with seeds between |
| FR2477830A1 (en) * | 1980-03-11 | 1981-09-18 | Fitexa Sa | TURF CARPET AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME |
-
1986
- 1986-01-24 DE DE19863602060 patent/DE3602060A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1987
- 1987-01-22 EP EP87100876A patent/EP0234285B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-01-22 DE DE8787100876T patent/DE3771519D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-01-22 AT AT87100876T patent/ATE65356T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-01-23 CA CA000528071A patent/CA1302709C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10548258B2 (en) | 2013-10-10 | 2020-02-04 | B+M Textil Gmbh & Co. Kg | Seed tape, seed tape system and greening or planting system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3771519D1 (en) | 1991-08-29 |
| ATE65356T1 (en) | 1991-08-15 |
| EP0234285A1 (en) | 1987-09-02 |
| EP0234285B1 (en) | 1991-07-24 |
| DE3602060A1 (en) | 1987-07-30 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |