GB2622235A

GB2622235A - A method of producing a plant species substrate

Info

Publication number: GB2622235A
Application number: GB2213070.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Baxter Simon; Webster Frank
Original assignee: Grasslands Ltd
Current assignee: Grasslands Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-07
Filing date: 2022-09-07
Publication date: 2024-03-13
Also published as: GB202213070D0

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method of producing a plant species substrate. The method comprises providing an area of turfgrass and weakening or killing the turfgrass, wherein the weakened or dead turfgrass forms a carrier substrate 15. The method further comprises applying the seeds 16 of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate and harvesting the carrier substrate. The method may comprise weakening or killing the turfgrass by applying one or more chemicals, which may comprise a pesticide and/or growth regulator or mechanically weakening the turfgrass. The present disclosure also relates to a plant species substrate and to a method of cultivating one or more plant species.

Description

A method of producing a plant species substrate

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method of producing a plant species substrate. The present disclosure also relates to a plant species substrate and to a method of cultivating one or more plant species.

Background

Growing plants in situ from direct seeding can prove to be difficult, often resulting in io poor establishment. This can be due to invasive weed proliferation and the unsuitability of site top soils, and also because certain types of plants require specialist knowledge and/or growing equipment.

Direct seeding can be particularly challenging for wild flower and species rich plantings. There has been an increased demand for these types of plants in recent times, partially driven by a desire to improve biodiversity and combat habitat loss. There is particular demand on new housing development sites, where wild flower and species rich plantings are frequently specified by ecologists and landscape architects and are often required to attain Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) status. Achieving BREEAM status is now often a prerequisite to obtaining planning permission for new developments.

One attempted solution is to grow the wild flower plantings on a specialist site as a turf (i.e. on a layer of soil that is then harvested together with the plantings) and then harvest and transport the turf to the site for planting. This involves laying down a membrane, covering the membrane with a growing medium, incorporating a plastic netting for strength and stability, and then seeding with the desired seed mix. The turf is typically grown for approximately 20 weeks. Harvesting is then carried out by hand with the use of circular saws to cut through the netting and the harvested turf is stacked on pallets, making the process labour intensive and expensive.

It is desirable to provide a method of producing a plant species substrate, a plant species substrate and/or a method of cultivating one or more plant species that alleviates one or more of the above problems.

Summary of the invention

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method of producing a plant species substrate, the method comprising: providing an area of turfgrass; weakening or killing the turfgrass, wherein the weakened or dead turfgrass forms a carrier substrate; applying the seeds of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate; and, harvesting the carrier substrate.

In some embodiments, the step of weakening or killing the turfgrass comprises applying one or more chemicals to the turfgrass. In some embodiments, the one or /0 more chemicals comprises a growth regulator and/or a pesticide such as an herbicide.

The herbicide may be a broad spectrum herbicide. The herbicide may be Glyphosate or any other suitable herbicide.

The growth regulator may comprise, for example, trinexapac-ethyl or any other suitable growth regulator. An example growth regulator is Primo Maxx2 (TM) manufactured by Syngenta (TM). Alternatively, or additionally, the growth regulator may comprise a pesticide. The pesticide maybe an herbicide, for example, a broad spectrum herbicide such as Glyphosate, that is applied at a low concentration to weaken rather than kill the turfgrass.

In some embodiments, the step of weakening or killing the turfgrass comprises mechanically weakening the turfgrass. In some embodiments, mechanically weakening the turfgrass comprises scalping and scarifying the turfgrass.

In some embodiments, the step of applying the seeds of the one or more plant species comprises using a seed drilling apparatus. In other embodiments, the step of applying the seeds of the one or more plant species comprises overseeding the seeds of the one or more plant species on to the carrier substrate. The overseeding may be with or without the application of a top dressing material (for example, sand, soil and/or compost).

In some embodiments, the step of providing the turfgrass comprises seeding the area with one or more grass species. -3 -

In some embodiments, the method further comprises scarifying the area prior to applying the seeds of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate.

In some embodiments, the step of harvesting the carrier substrate takes place before 5 the plant species seed has reached at least one of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering.

In some embodiments, the step of harvesting the carrier substrate takes place after at least some of the plant species seed has reached one or more of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering.

In some embodiments, the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises slicing a layer of the carrier substrate and collecting the layer of the carrier substrate.

In some embodiments, the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises using a turf harvester. The turf harvester may be motorised. The turf harvester maybe, for example, self-propelled or configured to be towed by a vehicle such as a tractor.

In some embodiments, the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises harvesting strips of the carrier substrate. The step of harvesting may comprise forming the strips of carrier substrate into rolls or stacking layered strips of carrier substrate.

In some embodiments, the carrier substrate is harvested to a thickness in the range of 10 to 40 mm and, preferably in the range of 15 to 25 mm.

In some embodiments, the carrier substrate does not comprise a mesh or netting substrate.

In some embodiments, the plant species substrate does not comprise plastic, or substantially does not comprise plastic.

In some embodiments, the turfgrass is not grown on top of a membrane (for example, a sheeting material such as plastic sheeting or geotextile fabric). -4 -

In some embodiments, the method comprises harvesting at least 100 square metres of the carrier substrate per hour and, preferably, harvesting at least 500 square metres of the carrier substrate per hour.

In some embodiments, the one or more plant species includes one or more flowering plant species and, preferably, one or more species rich and/or wildflower species. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more plant species may include one or more vegetable species and/or other types of plant. In some embodiments, the one or more plant species may include a species other than grass species.

In some embodiments, the plant species includes at least three different plant species, and preferably, at least five, ten or fifteen different plant species.

In some embodiments, the turfgrass includes one or more of: ryegrass, fescue (which may include tall fescue), bluegrass (which may include smooth stalk meadow grass) and/or bentgrass.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a method of cultivating one or more plant species, the method comprising: producing a plant species substrate according to the method disclosed herein; and, planting the harvested carrier substrate.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a plant species substrate produced according to the method disclosed herein.

According to the present disclosure, there is also provided a plant species substrate comprising a carrier substrate comprising a weakened or dead turfgrass, wherein the carrier substrate has been seeded with one or more plant species and harvested. The carrier substrate may have been harvested before or after the one or more plant species has started to germinate.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method of producing a plant species substrate according to an embodiment of the invention; -5 -Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a turfgrass; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an area being harvested for a plant species substrate; and, Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plant species substrate according to an embodiment of the invention.

Description

Referring to Fig. 1, a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 1 of producing a plant species substrate zo is shown. An embodiment of a plant species substrate zo produced according to the method 1 is shown in Fig. 4.

The method 1 comprises the step (Si) of providing an area of turfgrass 10. The method 1 further comprises the step (52) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10, wherein the weakened or dead turfgrass io forms a carrier substrate 15. The method 1 further comprises the step (S3) of applying seeds 16 of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate 15. The method 1 further comprises the step (S4) of harvesting the carrier substrate 15 to provide the plant species substrate 20.

The step (Si) of providing an area of turfgrass 10 (also referred to as 'sod') may comprise seeding an area of soil (depicted within dashed-line 'A' in Fig. 3) with the seeds (not shown) of one or more grass species. The term "turfgrass" may refer to grass that has been grown to form a turf.

The grass species may comprise, for example, one or more of: ryegrass, fescue (for example, tall fescue), bluegrass (for example, smooth stalked meadowgrass) and/or bentgrass. However, it should be recognised that the method i is not intended to be or limited to use with any particular grass species.

The grass species is then allowed to grow, with regular mowing and watering (and/or rainfall), to form an area A of turfgrass 10. In the schematic diagram of Fig. 3, a relatively small arca A of turfgrass in is shown. However, it should be recognised that in practice the method i may be applied to a much larger area A of turfgrass 10.

An example of a mature turfgrass io is shown in Fig. 2. The turfgrass io comprises an upper grass layer 11, a thatch layer 12, and a root mass 13 comprising a plurality of roots 13A that extend into the soil 14 in which the one or more grass species were seeded. -6 -

The step (S2) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10 may comprise applying one or more chemicals (not shown) to the turfgrass 10.

The step (S2) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10 may comprise applying an herbicide to the turfgrass 10. The herbicide maybe a broad spectrum herbicide. The herbicide maybe Glyphosate or any other suitable herbicide.

The step (52) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10 may comprise applying a growth regulator to the turfgrass 10. The growth regulator inhibits the growth of the turfgrass 10, and therefore reduces competition between the turfgrass 10 and the growth of the plant species that is to be cultivated.

The growth regulator may comprise, for example, trinexapac-ethyl or any other suitable growth regulator. An example growth regulator is Primo Maxx2 (TM) manufactured by Syngenta (TM). Alternatively, or additionally, the growth regulator may comprise an herbicide, for example, a broad spectrum herbicide such as Glyphosate, that is applied at a low concentration to weaken rather than kill the turfgrass 10.

The skilled person will understand that the one or more chemicals (for example, herbicide/growth regulator) may be selected depending on the grass species that is to be weakened or killed. The one or more chemicals may, for example, be applied to the turfgrass 10 as pellets or may be sprayed as a liquid.

Alternatively, or additionally, the step (52) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10 may or comprise mechanically weakening the turfgrass 10. In some embodiments, mechanically weakening the turfgrass to comprises scalping and scarifying the turfgrass 10. Scalping the turfgrass 10 may comprise mowing the turfgrass 10 to a very low height in order to weaken the turfgrass 10. However, it should be recognised that other mechanical methods may be used to weaken the turfgrass 10, for example, intensive vertical slicing of the turfgrass 10.

It has been found that weakening or killing the turfgrass 10 prevents the turfgrass 10 from competing with the growth of the plant species that is to be cultivated.

In some embodiments, the method 1 comprises mowing the turfgrass 10 before and/or after the step (S2) of weakening or killing the turfgrass 10. -7 -

In some embodiments, the turfgrass 10 is allowed to grow, for example, for at least 12, 14, 16 or 18 months before the step (82) of weakening or killing the turfgrass lo.

In some embodiments, the method of weakening the turfgrass 10 may be selected based on the one or more grass species that are to be weakened and/or based on the one or more plant species that are to be cultivated. For example, for slower growing grass species (for example, some fescues and bentgrasses) and/or if faster growing plant species are to be cultivated, less weakening of the turfgrass 10 may be performed. In /o such a scenario, a relatively low concentration of herbicide/growth regulator may be applied to the turfgrass m or a relatively light mechanical weakening of the turfgrass 10 may be performed. On the other hand, for faster growing grass species (for example, perennial ryegrass) and/or if slower growing plant species are to be cultivated, the turfgrass 10 may be subjected to greater weakening or may be killed. In such a scenario, a relatively high concentration of herbicide/growth regulator may be applied to the turfgrass 10 or a relatively intensive mechanical weakening of the turfgrass 10 may be performed (or the turfgrass 10 may be subjected to a combination of both chemical and mechanical weakening).

The weakened/killed turfgrass 10 forms a carrier substrate 15. The carrier substrate 15 may comprise at least a portion of the root mass 13 of the turfgrass 10 and the soil 14 containing the root mass 13, and optionally also the thatch layer 12 (if present in the turfgrass lo).

Once the turfgrass 10 has been weakened/killed, the seeds 16 of one or more plant species are applied to the carrier substrate 15 (step 83'). In some embodiments, the seeds 16 are applied soon after applying a chemical to weaken/kill the turfgrass 10. In other embodiments, the seeds 16 are applied after the turfgrass 10 has shown signs of weakening or has been killed.

In one example, the seeds 16 are applied using a seed drilling apparatus (not shown). The seed drilling apparatus sows the seeds 16 into the carrier substrate 15.

In an alternative embodiment, the seeds 16 of the one or more plant species may be applied to the carrier substrate 15 by overseeding the seeds 16 directly on to the carrier substrate 15, with or without a top dressing material. Optionally, in such embodiments -8 -the method 1 further comprises scarifying the area A prior to applying the seeds 16 of the one or more plant species. Preferably, the step of scarifying the area A takes place after the step (S3) weakening or killing of the turfgrass ro. The scarification process helps to open up the area A to overseeding with the seeds of the one or more plant species, and encourages seed contact with the soil 14 of the carrier substrate 15.

Advantageously, it has been found that providing a carrier substrate 15 of weakened or dead turfgrass to allows for easier harvesting and handling of the one or more plant species. For example, it is relatively easy to cut through the roots of the weakened or dead turfgrass ro in comparison to certain plant species, and the turfgrass to can be grown without mesh/netting, which can otherwise be difficult to cut through to harvest the turfgrass ro. The absence of mesh/netting, which is often manufactured from plastic, also makes the plant species substrate zo more environmentally friendly.

In addition, the carrier substrate 15 can be harvested using a conventional commercially-available turf harvester (not shown). This allows for the process of growing the plant species substrate 20 to be mechanised and even automated, making the growing process less labour intensive, quicker, and more cost-effective. An example of a turf harvester is the AutoStack II (TM) turf harvester manufactured by Trebro (TM). The turf harvester may mechanically slice a layer of the carrier substrate 15 away from the growing area A. In some embodiments, the turf harvester may be self-guided, for example, by a satellite positioning system.

In addition to extracting the plant species substrate zo from the growing area A, the turf harvester may optionally perform one or more of the additional steps: rolling the plant species substrate zo; loading a pallet into the turf harvester; stacking the plant species substrate 20 on a pallet (as rolls or as unrolled strips/slabs); rotating the pallet for subsequent layers of plant species substrate 20; and/or, dropping the harvested plant species substrate 20 (or a pallet thereof) at a collection point for transportation to the end user.

In some embodiments, the turf harvester may be configured to adjust one or more of 35 the width, length and depth of the harvested plant species substrate 20. -9 -

In some embodiments, the plant species substrate 20 is harvested at a rate of at least 100 square metres per hour and, preferably, at a rate of at least 500 square metres per hour.

The step (S4) of harvesting the carrier substrate 15 may comprise slicing strips of the plant species substrate 20 away from the growing area A, as is depicted schematically in Fig. 3. The strips zo can then be stacked on top of each other or rolled-up and, for example, may be stored on pallets ready for transportation. This process of slicing may be performed by a conventional turf harvester.

The thickness of the upper grass layer n of the plant species substrate 20 is shown by arrow in Fig. 4. The thickness of the thatch layer 12 is shown by arrow 'Tz' in Fig. 4 and the thickness of the root mass 13 and soil 14 layer is shown by arrow 'T3' in Fig. 4.

In some embodiments, the harvested carrier substrate 15 has a thickness (the combination of arrows 'T2' and 'T3', because the upper grass layer tends to lay flat) in the range of to to 40 mm and, preferably in the range of 15 to 25 mm.

In some embodiments, the harvested carrier substrate 15 has a thickness of at least 10 20 mm and, optionally, at least 15 or 20 mm.

In some embodiments, the harvested carrier substrate 15 has a thickness of at most 40 mm and, optionally, at most 35 or 30 mm.

or In the present example, the carrier substrate 15 comprises a thatch layer 12. However, it should be recognised that the thickness of the thatch layer 12 can vary considerably and, in some embodiments, the turfgrass 10 is free or substantially free of a thatch layer such that the harvested carrier substrate 15 is also free or substantially free of a thatch layer. However, it has been found that the presence of a thatch layer 12 may improve the structural stability of the carrier substrate 15 and may help to suppress weed growth.

It should be recognised that when the carrier substrate 15 with the one or more plant species (or seeds 16 thereof) is harvested, a layer of the root mass 13 and soil 14 is 35 removed but, optionally, some of the root mass 13 remains in the growing area A. -10 -In some embodiments, the root mass 13 and/or soil 14 that remains in the growing area A can be seeded with one or more grass species to grow further turfgrass (repeating step 'Si). This turfgrass can then be harvested. Alternatively, the new turfgrass may be weakened or killed to form a further carrier substrate (repeating step S2'), the seeds of one or more plant species are then applied to the further carrier substrate (repeating step S3'), and the further carrier substrate can then be harvested to produce further plant species substrate (repeating step S4'). In fact, the method 1 can be repeated many times to harvest multiple batches of plant species substrate zo.

Advantageously, the method 1 disclosed herein allows for the plant species substrate to be produced without first having to lay down a membrane (e.g. plastic sheeting or geotextile fabric) onto which the plant species is grown. This allows for the method 1 to be quicker, less expensive and more environmentally friendly. The plant species substrate zo can be grown on natural/agricultural soil, for example, by growing the turfgrass to on natural/agricultural soil and then weakening/killing the turfgrass to, applying the seeds of the one or more plant species, and then harvesting the carrier substrate.

This is in contrast to methods of growing, for example, wild flowers, wherein the wild flowers are produced by laying down a membrane, covering the membrane with a growing medium, incorporating plastic netting/mesh into the growing medium for stability, and then seeding the growing medium with the desired seed mix. This would then be grown for approximately 20 weeks, and harvesting carried out by hand with the use of circular saws to cut through the netting/mesh. The method 1 disclosed herein or does not require such a membrane or a netting/mesh, and also the plant species substrate zo can be harvested using a turf harvester. The method 1 disclosed herein is therefore less labour intensive, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly.

Once the plant species substrate 20 has been produced, it can be transported to the final destination site (for example, a new housing development site, a commercial property, or an area at the side of a road) for planting.

It has been found that the plant species substrate 20 is easier to handle and grow in comparison to directly seeding the one or more plant species at the destination site. The 35 user can lay the plant species substrate 20, without needing to measure the optimal amounts of the seeds and evenly distribute the seeds at the correct density.

Furthermore, the presence of the weakened or dead turfgrass as a carrier substrate helps to supress invasive weed species.

In some embodiments, the step (S4) of harvesting the carrier substrate 15 takes place before the plant species seed 16 has reached at least one of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering (where applicable, depending on the type of plant species).

In some embodiments, the step (S4) of harvesting the carrier substrate 15 takes place jo after at least some of the plant species seed 16 has reached one or more of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering (where applicable, depending on the type of plant species).

For example, the carrier substrate 15 may be harvested before the plant species seed 16 has germinated and/or begun seeding. This allows for the plant species substrate zo to be reproduced relatively quickly, with the plant species seed 16 germinating and the plant species growing after the plant species substrate 20 has been transported and/or planted at the destination site.

As another example, the carrier substrate 15 may be harvested after at least some of the plant species seed 16 has germinated (and optionally, reached a seeding, vegetative or budding stage), but before the plant species has fully grown/matured and/or flowered.

As yet another example, the carrier substrate 15 may be harvested after at least some of the plant species seed 16 has grown into flowering plants. This would increase the time taken to produce the plant species substrate zo, but would allow the plant species substrate zo to have a more instant impact when planted at the destination site.

In some embodiments, the carrier substrate 15 is harvested immediately after applying the seeds 16 of the one or more plant species. In other embodiments, there is a delay of at least 1-month or at least 2-months between applying the seeds 16 of the one or more plant species and harvesting the carrier substrate 15. In some embodiments, there is a delay of at most 3-months or at most 2-months between applying the seeds 16 of the one or more plant species and harvesting the carrier substrate 15. However, these timeframes are given as examples only.

-12 -In some embodiments, the plant species includes at least three different plant species, and preferably, at least five, ten or fifteen different plant species. In other embodiments, the plant species is a single plant species.

In some embodiments, the one or more plant species includes one or more flowering plant species and, preferably, one or more species rich and/or wildflower species. In other embodiments, the one or more plant species may alternatively, or additionally, comprise one or more vegetables. It should be recognised that the method is not intended to be limited to use with any particular plant species.

Examples of suitable wild flower plant species include one or more of: Self heal, Small scabious, Devil's bit, Flax, Bft (Bird's foot trefoil), Wild red clover, Red campion, Oxeye daisy, Bladder campion, Vipers bugloss, Cowslip, Cornflower, Buttercup, Musk mallow, Knapweed and Ribwort plantain.

Examples of suitable plant species for growing a species rich plant substrate (e.g. to produce a flowering lawn) include one or more of: Pink dandelion, Wild majoram, Bird's foot trefoil, Creeping buttercup, Lawn daisy, Lawn chamomile, Red clover, White clover, Self heal, Maiden pink and Fleabanes.

In some embodiments, the one or more plant species further incudes one or more grass species. In one such embodiment, the grass species may be the grass species or one or more of the grass species of the turfgrass 10. That is, the grass species is weakened at step 'S2', but still grows back together with the seeds 16 of the one or more plant -0 or species. This approach may be taken, for example, when growing a species rich turf (which may be a flowering lawn turf). Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more plant species that are applied to the carrier substrate 15 may include one or more grass species.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

-13 -Claims 1. A method of producing a plant species substrate, the method comprising: providing an area of turfgrass; weakening or killing the turfgrass, wherein the weakened or dead turfgrass forms a carrier substrate; applying the seeds of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate; and, harvesting the carrier substrate.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of weakening or killing the turfgrass comprises applying one or more chemicals to the turfgrass.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more chemicals comprises a growth regulator and/or pesticide.
4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the step of weakening or killing the turfgrass comprises mechanically weakening the turfgrass.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein mechanically weakening the turfgrass comprises scalping and scarifying the turfgrass.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the step of applying the seeds of the one or more plant species comprises using a seed drilling apparatus.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of providing the turfgrass comprises seeding the area with one or more grass species.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising scarifying the area prior to applying the seeds of one or more plant species to the carrier substrate.
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of harvesting the carrier substrate takes place before the plant species seed has reached at least one of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering.
10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the step of harvesting the carrier substrate takes place after at least some of the plant species seed has reached one or more of the following growth stages: germination, seeding, vegetative, budding and/or flowering.
11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises slicing a layer of the carrier substrate and collecting the layer of the carrier substrate.
12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises using a turf harvester.
13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of harvesting the carrier substrate comprises harvesting strips of the carrier substrate.
14. A method according to claim 13, comprising forming the strips of carrier substrate into rolls or stacking the strips of carrier substrate.
15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier substrate is harvested to a thickness in the range of 10 to 40 mm and, preferably in the range of 15 to 25 mm.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier substrate does not comprise a mesh or netting and/or does not comprise plastic.
17. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the area of turfgrass is not grown on a membrane.
18. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising harvesting at least loci square metres of the carrier substrate per hour and, preferably, harvesting at least 500 square metres of the carrier substrate per hour.
19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more plant species includes one or more flowering plant species and, preferably, one or 35 more species rich and/or wildflower species.
-15 - 20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant species includes at least three different plant species, and preferably, at least five, ten or fifteen different plant species.
21. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the turfgrass includes one or more of: ryegrass, fescue, bluegrass and/or bentgrass.
22. A method of cultivating one or more plant species, the method comprising: producing a plant species substrate according to the method of any one of claims ito /o 21; and, planting the harvested carrier substrate.
23. A plant species substrate produced according to the method of any one of claims to 21.
24. A plant species substrate comprising a carrier substrate comprising a weakened or dead turfgrass, wherein the carrier substrate has been seeded with one or more plant species and harvested.