GB2442933A

GB2442933A - Combined weed suppressant and cloche

Info

Publication number: GB2442933A
Application number: GB0620990A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Paul Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-21
Filing date: 2006-10-21
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Also published as: GB0620990D0

Abstract

The device comprises a number of base units 1 of triangular cross section, which are positioned in parallel formation in the spaces between a row of plants or vegetables. When secured flush to the ground 10 these units serve to suppress weed growth. The units, made of impermeable materials, such as plastic, also direct rainwater towards the plants growing between them. Another unit 5 made of transparent plastic is placed on the ground between the base units, creating a protective environment for the growing plants. Both units are fitted with spikes to secure them to the ground.

Description

Ve!etable Garden Product

Description

This invention relates to a two-part product for use in a vegeiable garden or similar where plants are being cultivated in rows.

For a person who is cultivating plants or vegetables from seed or young plants, there are a number of factors that can threaten the successful development of the plant, particularly in its infancy. These threats include competition for space and nutrients from weeds, damage to the plant from strong winds, heavy rain, tow temperatures; and damage by birds and small animals. Contact with any or all of the above can result in either a greatly reduced crop of plants or no plants at all.

At present there are a number of options available to the grower to tackle these problems.

Weeds can be suppressed either by the use of a permeable fabric sheet laid on the soil surface between the plants being cultivated, by digging out the weeds by hand, or via the non-organic method of spraying a chemical herbicide. Frost damage is protected against by growing the young plants under cover, be it in a greenhouse or under a cloche. A physical barrier is also generally required if birds or mammals are to be kept away, again either by using a cloche or netting.

The present invention proposes a two part system to help overcome these problems. It comprises a number of base units placed in parallel formation in the spaces between the rows of vegetables, having a triangular, or similar, cross section. When secured flush to the ground these units act to suppress weed growth beneath them by blocking out light to that area of ground. By constructing the units of a non-permeable material, such as plastic, and using angled sides, the units will also direct rainwater towards the vegetables or plants growing between them. The second part of the invention is a clear or opaque plastic unit designed to cover the areas between the base units when required, and form a protective environment for the plants or vegetables to grow in. The area beneath these covers will work like a cloche and protect against cold temperatures as well as wind, rain and animals. In addition, the arched profile to the roof of the cloche unit and spaces maintained at the sides, will ensure any rainwater is still distributed to the plants underneath, therefore minimising the need for the grower to manually water the plants, as is the case with other cloches on the market which tend to be impermeable to ram The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the base unit of the invention, which are intended to be placed in parallel formation between the rows of crops and act to exclude sunlight and rainwater from the ground beneath them, inhibiting weed growth and directing the water towards the crops rather than in the areas between.

Figure 2 shows the cloche unit that bridges the gap between the base units and creates the enclosed protective environment.

Figure 3 shows a view of two base units placed in parallel as intended and the growing area for the plants between.

Figure 4 shows a view of two base units and one cloche unit placed in situ as intended, to demonstrate how they work as a complete system. 2.

In figure 1, the base unit is shown. The unit is primarily intended to be of rigid construction, made of a plastic, or similar lightweight non-permeable material, and of a colour, that does not allow light to penetrate beneath it when placed flush to the ground. The unit shown is of a triangular cross section and can be manufactured to various fixed lengths, widths and angles.

It can also be produced with an adjustable width by way of a simple hinged joint along the top ridge of the unit (2) if required. Any number of these units can be placed securely into the soil between parallel rows of vegetables using the attached spikes (3) or via separate pegs fitted through holes in similar positions, the spikes ensuring that strong winds do not move the units out of their intended positions. The sides of the unit (1) can either be of a rigid material or could possibly be of a flexible plastic sheeting if necessary, fixed onto a frame.

This may be of use where longer lengths are required and manufacturing costs or manocuvrability make a solid side panel (1) impractical.The base of the unit should be hollow, this should not only keep manufacturing costs down, but also make the unit light enough for one person to manoeuvre. The fixed end panels will serve to give the unit structural strength and durability, and will be angled in a way that the base of the unit is longer in length than along the top ridge (2), thus enabling the items to be stacked one inside another for ease of transportation and storage.

When the unit is placed on the soil in the required position and the spikes or pegs fully insertedintotheground, theumtwillnotonlybestableagainstanystrongwindsbutwillalso prevent any light and rainwater from reaching the soil beneath it and therefore eradicate any weeds or plants from being able to grow on that area of soil. By placing a number of these units in parallel with rows of vegetables or plants in between, the grower can greatly reduce the amount of weeding required on a plot of land. The units will also be light enough and strong enough to be easily lifted and moved around by one person when required (using the handle spaces (4)), thus giving easy access between the rows of crops when necessary.

In addition to the task of reducing the number of weeds that can grow on a plot of land the base unit to the invention also acts as a device to use rainwater more efficiently. As mentioned previously, the present methods for suppressing weeds, other than using a chemical spray, are generally in the form of a permeable sheet of fabric laid directly on the ground. Holes are cut in the fabric and the desired plants are planted in the spaces and left to grow and spread out as normal. These products are not aimed specifically at vegetable gardens where crops tend to be planted in parallel rows, but are more for use as a general garden product, for instance when a new flowerbed is planted and the person wishes to reduce the number weeds that grow between their chosen plants. They are normally permeable to water, allowing rainwater to penetrate the whole area, basically because the roots of the plants will spread over time. In vegetable cultivation the plants are only grown over a short period and generally do not have extensive root systems, so the rainwater can be concentrated in a desired area at the base of the plants. This is also particularly useful where rainwater is in short supply.

In figure 2, the cloche unit is shown. This unit is constructed of a rigid plastic or perspex material and could be either smooth in texture or with a crimped effect laterally that could give a more even distribution of water. The roof ofthe unit (5) is either of an arched cross-section, as in figure 2, or with a central ridge. Either way, the roof (5) will allow any rainwater to runoff to either side of the unit and down the side of the base units to the growing area.

The cloche unit in figure 2 is intended to be constructed of either a clear or opaque coloured plastic so as to allow light to penetrate. The unit is intended to be placed between two base units, to form a protective environment beneath it, and is again fixed into the ground using the incorporated spikes (8). Both ends of the unit will have a solid panel (7) again made of 3.

the same clear or opaque material, and along the side edges will be incorporated a series of spacer blocks or protruding panels to ensure that a gap is maintained between the units. In addition to allowing rainwater to reach the plants underneath, this gap will allow air to circulate and stop the environment from becoming too hot or humid for the plants.

The enclosed environment created by the cloche unit will act as a barrier to ground frost and to protect the plants from damage by heavy rainfall and strong winds. The solid panels at either end of the cloche unit (7) will exclude animals and birds who may otherwise eat the young plants. Again, the unit is intended to have a handle in the form of a slot missing from either end (9) and be of lightweight construction so that they can easily be moved in and out of position by one person. A slight angle of greater than 90 degrees between the roof and the end panel in the construction of the cloche unit will allow the units to be stacked for easy transportation and storage when not required.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of two base units in their intended positions. The feet (3) are below ground level (10) and should anchor the unit in the ground. No light or wind should now get below the base units and no weeds will be able to get the light or rainwater they need in order to grow. The base units are at a sufficient distance apart for plants to grow in the growing area (11). Rainwater is able to run off the angled sides of the base unit (I) towards the plants and the units will also offer some protection against strong winds.

Figure 4 shows the complete configuration of the units together. With two base units and one cloche unit in place the plants or vegetables planted by the grower arc protected against ground frost, strong winds, heavy rainfall and the threat of birds and most animals whilst being supplied with rainwater when it falls. When used independently, the base units will act as a labour saving device by reducing the amount of weeding for the grower in an organic way and should reduce the need for manual watering via a hose or watering can. 4.

Claims

Claims 1. A device which when placed on the ground adjacent to a

planting area acts as a means of preventing weeds from growing directly beneath the device by excluding daylight and rainfall, and also as a means of directing rainfall to the planting area via a side of the device (1).
2. A device as in claim 1, which has a hollow underside so that it can be stacked for transportation and storage purposes.
3. A device as in claim 1 or 2, which has a cross section of triangular profile.
4. A device as in claim I or 2, which has sides (1) of concave or convex profile.
5. A device as in claim 1 or 2, which has a profile whereby an angle is formed from the top ridge to the base of the device which enables rainwater to be distributed to the planting area by the forces of gravity.
6. A device as described in any preceding claim, which has spiked feet on the base of its two side panels (I) for securing the pod into the ground.
7. Adeviceasinclaimslto5thatissecuredtothegroundbyseparatepegsplacedthrough holes in the sides of the pod.
8. . A device as in claim! to 5 that has smooth sides constnicted of a non-permeable material.
9. A device as in claim I to 5 that has sides made of a non-permeable material with a textured finish.
10. A device as in claim! to 5, of fixed rigid construction with no movable parts.
11. A device as in claim 1 or2, that is adjustable in width by way of a hinged joint incorporated into its top edge (2).
12. A device as in claim 3 to 5 that has non permeable plastic sheeting fixed to a rigid framework
13. A device as in claim 3 to 5 that has non permeable plastic sheeting fixed to a framework that is adjustable in width by way of a hinged joint incorporated into its top edge (2).
14. Apparatus comprising two devices as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the devices are spaced apart from each other with the planting area there between, the apparatus further comprising a roof unit supported above the planting area to provide a protective cover therefor.
15. Apparatus as in claim 14 whereby the roof unit is made of a clear or opaque plastic material and allows light to penetrate.
16. Apparatus as in claim 14 whereby the roof unit has fixed vertical end panels and spiked feet so that the roof unit can be secured in the ground.
17. Apparatus as hi claim 14 whereby the roof unit has fixed vertical end panels with holes at the bottom so that the roof unit can be secured in the ground by separate pegs.
18. Apparatus as in claim 14 whereby the roof unit has an pitched or arched profile, creating an slope from the centre of the roof to its edge.. 5_.
19. Apparatus as in claim 14 whereby the roof unit has spacers (6) incorporated along its long edge to allow rainwater to be distributed to the growing area (11) via the sides (I) of the base devices.
20. Apparatus as in claim 14 whereby the roof unit is held n position between two base devices as in claims 1 to 11 by placing the spacer devices (6) into a pre-cut slot in the sides (1) of the base device.