GB2390523A

GB2390523A - A plant protector

Info

Publication number: GB2390523A
Application number: GB0216160A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Hardy Duckworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2002-07-12
Publication date: 2004-01-14
Also published as: GB0216160D0

Abstract

The plant protector consists of a one- piece container which is designed to hold a continuous channel of water around a plant growing area. The water holding channel, which has a U-shaped cross section, is sunk in the ground forming a barrier in the form of a moat preventing animals such as slugs or snails from reaching plants which are planted within the enclosed area. The size of the water channel is such that the device remains effective for long periods of time despite evaporation of the water. The depth of the device also has the effect of forming a physical barrier to underground attack. The protector is lightweight and reusable, being made from plastic or any other waterproof material.

Description

DESCRIPTION: PLANT PROTECTOR

This invention relates to a one-piece bottomless water container that is placed in the ground in order to protect selected crops or plants from slugs and snails.

Various slug control methods are available. The disadvantages of these are that they may include toxic chemicals (slug pellets) and do not offer complete protection.

The object of this invention is to provide gardeners with a ready-made, lightweight, portable, re-usable and ecologically-friendly device that can be fitted around seeds or plants to protect them from slug and snail attack.

Accordingly this invention is made of a u-shaped container in a continuous circular or rectangular form. A small ditch is dug around an existing plant or an area of land that will be used for growing. The container is placed in the ditch, and the soil is replaced around the sides. The container is filled with water or other liquid which forms a moat around the land in the centre of the container. The liquid in the moat acts as a barrier to deter slugs and snails from entering the land in the centre. The container is also of sufficient depth to form a physical barrier against slug and snail attack below the ground. The plants growing in the land at the centre of the container remain in contact with the soil. In this respect the container is unlike a flowerpot, and therefore the plants do not require any specific watering.

The water or other liquid in the container will evaporate slowly but can be replenished by rainfall or watering. Trials have shown that water levels can remain sufficiently high for several months without any intervention. The container continues to offer protection even when the water level falls by 75%. If the water becomes stagnant it can be flushed out using a garden hose.

Preferably the container is made of rigid plastics material that is waterproof and strong enough to offer protection against being pierced by sharp stones.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the container.

FIGURE 2 shows a cross section of the container FIGURE 3 shows a top view of a circular container FIGURE 4 shows a top view of a rectangular container FIGURE 5 shows the container in the ground ar d plants growing in the protected area

DESCRIPTION (cont.)

As shown in Figure I, the container has rigid sides ( 1) and a channel that can be filled with water (2). It is a single item that can easily be carried and requires no assembly.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the container and the water it holds (2) . The depth of the container allows it to remain effective, despite evaporation, for a long time and the side ( 1) forms a physical barrier against underground attack.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the container. The land inside the area surrounded by water (2) is the land which is protected from slug and snail attack.

Figure 4 shows a rectangular container operating on the same principle. The land in the centre is protected by the barrier of water (2).

Figure 5 (on page 2/2) shows a side view of the container in the ground (3). It has been dug into the ground so that the water level (2) is at ground level (7). The sides ofthe container (1) protect the plants (4) from underground attack. The channel of water (2) protects the plants from attack on ground level (7). The roots of the plants (5) remain in contact with the ground so that no additional watering is required.

The container forms an effective barrier against slugs and snails. It is not harmful to birds, pets, children. It will allow gardeners to grow susceptible crops such as lettuce or coriander without slug damage. It can also be fitted round existing plants such as delphiniums, lupine or istomas which are particularly susceptible to slug attack in the spring. When these plants are more mature and the danger has receded, the container can be lifted out of the soil and used elsewhere if required.

Claims

1 A plant protector consisting of a one-piece water proof container designed to hold a continuous channel of water around an enclosed area so as to protect the plants growing in the enclosed area from slug and snail attack.

2 A plant protector as claimed in Claim I which holds sufficient water to counteract

the effects of evaporation.

3 A plant protector as claimed in Claim 1, which is embedded into the ground and where the sides protect the plants against underground attack by slugs and snails.

4 A plant protector as claimed in Claim I that is lightweight, portable, re-usable and does not require any assembly.

5 A plant protector as claimed in Claim 1 that uses water to prevent slug damage and does not contain any toxic chemicals.

6 A plant protector as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from plastic or any other waterproof material.

7 A plant protector substantially as herein described and illustrated in the i accompanying drawings.