Abstract: The invention provides a new form of vegetative propagating material, referred to as “the grass plantlet”, as well as a method for producing it. The new vegetative planting material and the method by which it is obtained make it possible to replicate and increase both warm and cool season grasses more rapidly than by the conventional methods of seeding, sprigging, or plugging. Three to five new, clean, and pure generations of a newly developed seeded or vegetative cultivar can be obtained each year. Outcrossing, the need for burning and possibly for herbicide use are eliminated by the present invention. The present methodology embodies a sterile production system resulting in grass plantlets that are free of nematodes, pathogenic fungi, and damaging insects.

Abstract: A method for planting and stabilizing soilless sods is taught, beginning with planting pure stock of the desired cultivar in sterile media over plastic sheeting. The pure stock, once it has matured into a sod, it is harvested and milled into vegetative planting material. The milled material is suspended in a liquid slurry in an agitating tank and discharged into a trailing planter assembly that spreads the slurry evenly over unrolling plastic sheeting where it acts not only as planting material but, in sufficient quantities, also as a stabilizing protective mulch that maintains the integrity of the young sod crop in severe storms. Unlike sprigs or stolons the milled planting stock is produced from whole plant tissue and is comprised of many plantlets with intact root, stem, and leaf tissue. A bushel of milled turf plantlets is much more dense than a bushel of sprigs or stolons and comprises meristems from all parts of the plant including roots, crowns, and rhizomes.

Abstract: An innovative liquid mulch apparatus for the production of thin, lightweight and fastly growing sod over an impervious surface such as plastic sheeting are provided. The apparatus of the invention includes, among other components, a transportable agitating tank and a trailing planter assembly that facilitates the liquid mulch method of manufacturing sods.

Abstract: A novel mulch/medium/matrix method that stabilizes sods grown on a solid base in large rolls in contiguous beds is described. A vegetative or organic mulch is placed over a solid base which is typically plastic sheeting. A suitable growing medium is infiltrated into the mulch, filling the voids and interstices to produce a coherent matrix which is stable in severe thunderstorms. Seed or sprigs are placed into the matrix either before or after the application of the growing medium which is then irrigated, fertilized, and eventually mowed in the conventional manner. The primary rooting of the growing material intertwines the mulch/medium/matrix and binds and knits it into a sod. As the mulch gradually decomposes, it is replaced by primary rooting forming a thin, bona fide sod which can be one half the weight of a conventional mineral sod. The sod is harvested in large rolls, typically four feet wide and comprising 20-50 square yards.

Abstract: A novel mechanism is presented that is able to harvest and load and to unload and install large rolls of sod with only one worker. It is equally useful with conventional sods grown on soil as well as sods grown over an impervious surface. The device is attached by a shiftable bracket to the utility mounting plate and hydraulics of a suitable tractor, skid steer loader, or modified fork lift. It consists of a steel spear or prong attached to a clevis that rotates slightly more than 180 degrees. Cones are placed on the hinged spear and these position PVC pipe or other tubing of the same length as the sod roll desired. The spear with cone(s) and tubing is placed at a right angle, either to the left or right, of the direction of the loader and dropped to the surface at the end of a cut sheet of sod. Small protrusions or prongs on the surface of the tubing lightly grasp the sod and begin rolling it up on the tubing.

Abstract: A device which cuts sods that are grown over plastic sheeting without cutting or damaging the plastic sheeting which is then retained in place to be used again for subsequent crops. The cutter performs four functions: (1) it inserts a vibrating lifting plate between the plastic and the sod and separates and lifts the sod off the plastic; (2) it conveys the sod to the cutting mechanism; (3) it cleanly cuts the sod; and (4) it leaves the plastic undamaged. After cutting, the sod can be harvested by a roller attached behind the cutting mechanism so that the cutting and rolling are done in one operation or the rolling can be done separately at a later time. The mechanism can be arranged in multiples on a toolbar; and the cutter can be attached to conventional sod harvesting equipment with only slight modification.