Abstract: A mobile soil-disinfecting device (10) comprising a cultivating unit (20), a soil treating chamber (23), a bellows (28), a heat exchanger (56), and a heat-generating unit (26). The cultivating unit (20) comprises one or more cultivating members adapted for breaking the soil and throwing it upwardly into the soil treating chamber (23), and the heat exchanger (56) being in thermal communication with the heat generating unit (26), the bellows (28) adapted for drawing ambient air, passing the air through the heat exchanger (56) and throwing hot air into the soil treating chamber (23).

Abstract: The invention relates to disposing of unwanted waste waters produced from purifying water. The methods of the present invention include applying waste water containing 0.15% by weight of the salts of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cl, SO4, and CO3 and mixtures thereof to soil to control dust, effect soil stabilization, seal ponds, inhibit root rot, and irrigate soil. The invention also relates to the utilization of waste waters within cooling towers and for laundry applications.

Abstract: An indexable vacuum formed nursery tray and a method of making same, the tray being formed from a sheet of plastic material and including a plurality of rows of vacuum formed cells positioned between at least two spaced rows of indexing apertures formed in the sheet and wherein the thickness of the plastic sheet at least the zones containing the indexing apertures being no less then the minimum thickness of the street of plastic material prior to forming and preferably of a thickness greater than said minimum thickness.

Abstract: A sleeve comprising a lower portion preferably having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a floral grouping or plant. The sleeve may have a protective upper portion which can be detached from the lower portion of the sleeve once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve has a plurality of horizontally and diagonally positioned expansion elements for allowing expansion of the base portion and/or skirt portion.

Abstract: The Plantwear™ fabric pot consists of a shell (12), an inner membrane (14), and a mesh liner (16). These are attached to a ring-band (22) which also encloses a compression-ring (20). These are supported by braided ropes (26) which are attached to the compression-ring in 3 places where the sections of the ring-band (22) expose the compression-ring (20). The ropes are collected at a center-knot (28) and form a tie-loop (30), and a tie (34) which has a tie-knot (32) near its end. The tie (34) can be passed over a support, such as a rod or hook, and the tie-knot (32) passed through the tie-loop to securely hold the Plantwear™ fabric pot to the support. A wick (41) is placed through the liner (16) via a grommet (42) and into a chamber area (18) to help transfer, through capillary action, any water which might have drained into and remain in the chamber, back up into the root-pouch (36). The fabric pot is packaged folded flat in an envelope.

Abstract: A novel process for successfully intercropping corn and soybean plants is described herein. For best ecological results, the corn and soybeans are planted at specific predetermined distances at the same time of year. The corn and soybeans create a microclimate of humidity, as well as a root system and groundcover which effectively resists drought and erosion. Another advantage is use of conservation tillage which is compatible with the ecological longterm advantages of intercropping commercial annual grains and legumes.

Abstract: A landscape-edging device is disclosed which may be used to segregate dissimilar landscaping schemes by positioning the device into the soil. The landscape edging is made of flexible strips, designed for continuous end-to-end attachment. The edging is attached to the soil by stakes. The edging system is designed so that stakes are removably attached to the edging portion of the device. By this attachment, the stakes can be conveniently and cost effectively manufactured and shipped together with the edging portion. Stiffening ribs on the stakes increase the strength of the stakes so that they may be made from the same material and thickness as the edging portion.

Abstract: A plant container apparatus (610) includes an arrangement (616, 618) for at least partially covering at least one plant container (612) and in which the arrangement (616, 618) is modular in form. In particular, the modular covering arrangement comprises a plurality of appropriately shaped panels (616) which are arranged to be secured together and secured to the plant containers (612) by securing straps (618). In one particular embodiment, the securing straps (618) are arranged to engage with side regions of the panels (616) and to be secured by securing devices such as screw fixtures (120) to upper and lower portions of the plant containers (612). A particularly versatile and readily adjustable and reconfigurable plant container cover arrangement can thereby be provided.

Abstract: A garden enclosure kit is provided for protecting a planted area from frost and the like. The kit includes a frame structure arranged to be supported on the ground about the planted area. Sheeted material is supported on a roller arranged to be selectively coupled to the frame structure to define an enclosure. The sheeted material includes an elongate main sheet having a coupled end coupled to the roller and a free end arranged to be coupled to the frame structure spaced from the roller for defining a cover extending over the planted area. The sheeted material also includes a plurality of side sheets formed integrally with the main sheet which are arranged to be suspended from respective sides of the main sheet in an extended position of the sheeted material for enclosing the planted area. When the use of the enclosure is no longer required, the side sheets are folded across the main sheet so that the sheeted material may be rolled onto the roller.

Abstract: A greenhouse has a frame of standard PVC tubes and PVC fittings. A rectangular base frame supports a plurality of vertical tubes, which, in turn, support a rectangular gable-type roof frame. Some of the tube-to-fitting couplings are friction-fit connections, some are glued connections and others are quick connect/disconnect connections for rapid assembly and disassembly of the greenhouse. A poly cover includes a center portion which extends from the base frame over the vertical tubes and the gabled roof frame and is coupled thereto by quick-connect/disconnect retainers, and a pair of end portions are releasably connected to respective ends of the center portion by double-pull zippers having box and pin connectors for variable, regulated ventilation and complete removal of the end portions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for promoting by light irradiation the germination of seeds and the growth of plants generated by the seeds. The seeds to be treated are irradiated with radiation that is a simulation of the solar visible spectrum. The radiation may have a wavelength range from about 400 to about 700 nm. The irradiating light may be pulsed, for example at a frequency from about 10 to 150 pulses per minute, each pulses having a duration from 0.1 to 0.9 seconds and the intervals between pulses having a duration about from 0.1 to 6.0 seconds. The seeds may be cooled while irradiating them, such as to maintain the seeds at temperatures not exceeding 35° C. Cooling the seeds may be carried out by means of a stream of gas.

Abstract: An artificial pine needle used as a synthetic ground cover comprised of an extruded monofilament strand having a substantially C-shaped cross section. The artificial pine needle consists of a blend of polyolefin resin material, such as biodegradable recycled polypropylene, and additive for imparting proper color, luster, and effective resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Additional concentrates may be added for imparting scents such as pine or citronella, and coatings on the inward surface of the artificial needle may be applied to provide a means for delivering fertilizers or pesticides.

Abstract: A device for sealing a tube in an opening which is located in a component. The tube is in particular a lance shaft and the component is in particular a nozzle connected to a cover of a reactor pressure vessel. A pressure element is in operative connection with the tube. As a result, the tube is pressed against the component. Provision is made for the pressure element to be driven hydraulically.

Abstract: A growth medium for plants or mushrooms, the medium comprising sugar care mill mud and non sphagnum-peat material selected from the group consisting of a non-sphagnum-peat and coconut fibre.

Abstract: An aqueous-based inoculant composition in liquid form for leguminous seeds that produces an immediate nodule formation and an increased nitrogen fixation, containing microorganisms of the Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium genus, a molybdenum compound selected from alkali metal molybdates and a compound that neutralizes the seed exudates, which are toxic for the bacteria, selected from polymers of compounds presenting an amide, amine or imine moiety. The inoculant composition remains stable at room temperature, keeping the number of viable bacteria over long periods of time and ready to be used.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus for spraying agricultural chemicals over shrubbery and small size trees and plants in early stages of their growth positioned in arrays with empty areas therebetween, has a storage for an agricultural chemicals to be sprayed, a spraying assembly having the shape of an upside down “U” and provided with a plurality of spraying nozzles, a detector for detecting the presence of a plant, and an activator for activating the spraying nozzles, after the detector detects a plant, to spray the plant inside the spraying assembly, the spraying assembly having a substantially flat frame composed of a plurality of substantially flat elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vegetation element (10) for greening artificial or natural surfaces with dicotyledonous plants (18). The vegetation element consists of a support (14), soil improvement substrate (16) and dicotyledonous plants (18) and is configured such that it can be rolled up. According to the invention the vegetation element is characterized in that the support is a net (28), a woven or knitted fabric, a randomly bonded nonwoven or a fibre mixture which can be deposited on natural or artificially produced mineral soil (12). The soil (12) is prepared aseptically and the soil improvement substrate (16) is incorporated into an upper layer (24) of the soil (12) by compression or mixing, whereby the pH of the substrate (16) differs from the pH of the soil (12) and is adjusted to meet the physiological needs of the dicotyledonous plants (18). As a result a mixed layer (20) of soil (12) and substrate (16) is formed which has a line (22) separating it from the unmixed soil situated underneath.

Abstract: A cover for covering a floral container such as a flower pot, the cover having a lower portion constructed from an elastic material which can be stretched about the bottom of a floral container, to secure the cover about the floral container.

Abstract: Plant potting machines and methods have synchronized continuous motion pot track and soil drilling systems. In especially preferred forms, potting machines and methods of forming a planting recess in soil contained within a pot are provided which move a soil-filled pot continuously along a linear segment of a pot track, and move a drill bit continuously in synchronized registry with the soil-filled pot at the same time as the pot moves continuously along the linear segment of the pot track. Most preferably, simultaneous horizontal and vertical motion components are imparted to a soil-drilling drill bit relative to the linear segment of the pot track, for example, by moving the drill bit in an arcuate (preferably circular) orbit above the pot track.

Abstract: A method of using a floral sleeve sized to fit a flower pot, or a floral grouping, the sleeve generally having a conical shape and having a bonding material disposed thereon for connecting the sleeve to a pot disposed within the sleeve or connected via a banding element to a pot disposed within the sleeve.