Abstract: A novel method is described for growing tall fescue sods on a solid base in large rolls. Whole culm straw is placed 1-2 inches deep over the solid base, typically plastic sheeting. Thirty to forty cubic yards of composted materials are then applied to the straw, filling the voids and interstices to produce a coherent matrix. This is seeded with tall fescue, then irrigated, fertilized, and mowed in a conventional manner. Unharvested wheat seed left in the straw germinates along with the tall fescue and forms a vigorous primary rooting system which rapidly effects a bona fide sod about one-half inch thick and approximately one-half the weight of a conventional mineral sod. The synthetic sod is harvested in large rolls, typically as much as five feet wide and comprising 20-50 square yards. These big rolls are laid at the installation site by the grading tractor, obviating the need for a fork lift, pallets, and laying crew, as used in conventional sodding.

Abstract: A planter comprising a planting pot with a water supply receptacle 7 formed in and extending from the bottom of the planting pot to enable fluid communication therebetween is disclosed. A water reservoir 4 is juxtaposed the water supply receptacle with the top thereof in a horizontal plane which is equal to or below a horizontal plane of the bottom of the planting pot. An aperture 7C, 4C is formed in both the bottom 7A of the water supply receptacle 7 and the bottom 4A of the water reservoir 4, respectively. A water pipe 5 is secured to the aperture of the water supply receptacle and the aperture of the water reservoir in a fluid tight manner to enable fluid communication between the water supply receptacle and the water reserovir. An adjusting means 6D controls the rate of flow of fluid into the planting pot from the water supply receptacle.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic grid comprises at least one truss beam having a pair of parallel fiber reinforced plastic chord members and a series of fiber reinforced shear members thatg are arranged between the chord members, wherein at least at one node between a shear member and chord member the fibrous reinforcement of the shear member passes into the chord member so that this shear member and at least a section of a chord member can be made of a continuous string of fiber reinforced plastic material.

Abstract: In order to improve efficiency and eliminate waste in irrigation applications, while also providing irrigation in any configuration or pattern in an inexpensive manner, an irrigation system includes a plurality of portable watering stations. The watering stations are adapted to be positioned at selected locations to achieve a predetermined watering pattern. Each of the watering stations includes a hollow body having at least one port adapted to receive water either directly or indirectly from a water source, at least two ports adapted to distribute water received therein directly to a pair of other watering stations, and an irrigation component associated with the body for irrigating an area immediately surrounding the watering station. The watering stations are adapted to be interconnected with one another and a water source by utilizing a plurality of hoses.

Abstract: A system for constructing landscape structures and bordering, landscape retaining walls, landscape modules, and planting structures of varying sizes, layers, and configurations, including modules and walls built from said system. Landscaping structures including modules, fences, walls and the like are custom erected at the job site from groups of component lanscaping logs of assorted lengths that are machined to interlock with cooperating male and female ends. The preferred landscaping log comprises a central body that is generally in the form of a parallelpiped having a square cross section. Each log comprises spaced apart male and female ends. The female end comprises a pair of apertured, spaced-apart flanges with a receptive notch defined therebetween. The male end comprises an apertured, outwardly projecting, flange adapted to be inserted within the receptive notch.

Abstract: Hydroponic substrates are disinfected in situ, prior to a crop production cycle, with a dilute aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide and at least one peracid having a ##STR1## group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hollow panel wall assembly and kit design for simple and inexpensive building construction. The assembly comprises top and bottom elongate plates, studs, and wall panels. The elongate plates support both the wall panels and the vertical studs. The plates further have transverse channels into which fit the studs. The studs themselves have lengthwise grooves into which fit the tapered edges of the wall panels. This construction is easy to assemble and results in decreased housing manufacture costs.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for growing plants comprises a tubular member enclosed on both ends by vertically oriented fittings to retain liquid therein. The tubular member has openings through a wall sized to receive a plant vine and positioned to retain liquid in said tubular member. The tubular member is preferably a transparent, plastic pipe.

Abstract: A device (10) for germinating seeds (S) is described. The device includes tubes (30) inside the container mounted on a base (31). The seeds are soaked in a solution (A) and then the spent solution (A1) is removed and the seeds are aerated through fluid outlet (22) with cover (23) and cover (12) open, such that air flows through the tubes (30) to the seeds through perforations (30a) in the tubes. The tubes are then removed and the device is carried to the place where the seeds are to be planted.

Abstract: A noise baffle for reducing noise in rain gutter systems is provided. A screen or other perforated or fibrous surface is secured beneath a vertical downspout section and above the surface of an angled downspout section for reducing the noise caused by water striking the surface of angled downspouts. The screen eliminates or substantially reduces the noise by breaking the fall of the water falling in the vertical downspout section and dispersing the stream into tiny droplets which do not strike the bottom of the angled downspout section with sufficient force to create noise.

Abstract: A door leaf or casing frame for windows, doors or the like and a process preparing the same. The door leaf or casing frame is assembled by joining hollow sections (3-6; 7-10) and T-pieces with the use of a binder; the hollow sections are particularly of Duroplastic with longitudinally extending reinforcing fibers. A joint plate is disposed in the connecting joints or mitre joints (15, 15a) of the frame corners, said plate having through channels for the binder, T-pieces being integrated with the joint plate. In the production of the frame a glue or adhesive composition is sprayed through the channels of the joint plates into the gap in the area of the corresponding corner.

Abstract: A manageable awning system consisting of a headbar adapted for mounting on a building or the like for support and connected by rafters to a frontbar adapted for mounting on posts and a pliable awning banner with a conformable semi-rigid plastic strip attached to its rearward and forward edges for easy insertion into and removal from spanwise channels in the headbar and the drawbar which is mounted on the frontbar through connecting clips drawn down by threaded nuts and bolts to pull the banner tight and smooth; the semi-rigid plastic edge strips of the banner and the fabric flaps attaching it to the rafters are formed to break away under heavy wind loads.

Abstract: In order to reduce labor costs, enhance handling convenience, and encourage resource reutilization, a reusable tree-shrub carrier is disclosed. The carrier includes a plurality of side wall sections each configured so as to be arranged into a root ball container. Each of the side wall sections is substantially identical in shape and has an edge to be placed in juxtaposition to an edge of an adjacent one of the side wall sections such that the container has at least one open end. the carrier also includes a plurality of corner locking channels for releasably securing the edges of the side wall sections and retention strap assemblies for releasably securing a root ball during carrier transport.

Abstract: A multiple lower stem holder is provided and consists of a closure cap which fits over an open top of a receptacle holding water therein. The closure cap has a plurality of apertures to allow flower stems to pass therethrough. A pliable layer covers the closure cap and has a plurality of crossed slots which align with the apertures. When the flower stems are inserted into the crossed slots and through the apertures, the crossed slots will automatically self seal about the flower stems.

Abstract: An improved standing seam roof assembly and support apparatus which seeks to achieve a number of objects including improved panel joining integrity both at the standing seam joints along longitudinal edges of the panels and at interlapping panel ends including the four corner juncture areas. A unique interlocking standing seam joint features cooperative clip and side lap sealant positioning. Advantageous end lapping is securely sealed via end lap sealant and a cinch strap assembly which compresses and interconnects the panel ends. Novel notching of the panel ends permits installation of near identical panels in both a first installing direction and in a reversed second installing direction. Other features include adjustable and flexible roof panel supporting structures, improved panel center and edge hold-down assemblies, and an improved seam roller apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for aeroponically growing plants, having a housing including a partition defining an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the partition including means of supporting a plurality of plants. The apparatus comprises a fog generator including a container for receiving a quantity of water, and a ultrasonic transducer located within the container to be immersed in the water when received therein, and thereby to generate a fog in the upper end of the container. Also having conduit means to direct the generated fog to the compartments of the housing.

Abstract: A flowerpot and a water supplying member for use in a flowerpot are disclosed wherein the flowerpot includes a main body provided with a bottom hole and a supporting leg; a water supplying member for absorbing and carrying water upwardly by capillary action; and a water basin for storing water and for supporting the main body of the flowerpot, wherein the water supplying member includes a retaining tube inserted into the bottom hole of the flowerpot, an absorbing material for absorbing and carrying water upwardly by capillary action, and a supporting plate coupled with the retaining tube in order to support the retaining tube on the bottom of the flowerpot, wherein the water supply into the flowerpot is conveniently accomplished in that the supplying of the water is done consistently and properly even when the flowerpot is not attended to for a considerable number of days.

Abstract: An arrangement for growing plants which includes a multiplicity of containers each having a bottom face, side walls and an open upper face, the containers being at least partially filled with a medium for growing plants and being stacked in the form of a self-supporting columns, and all containers above the lowest one being supported at least indirectly by a container positioned below, the stacking formation allowing an open space to remain between the side walls of upper and lower containers or between the projections thereof. Drain apertures are provided in each container for allowing excess fluid to exit therefrom, and the excess fluid draining system communicates with a lower container of each column.

Abstract: An exterior wall of a building, comprises: a plurality of panel units each of which is constructed of: a frame member constructed of a right and a left vertical member together with an upper and a lower lateral member horizontally interposed between the right and the left vertical member; and a plurality of panel members mounted on a front surface of the frame member in such a manner as to be parallelly spaced apart from each other by a predetermined joint space. The plurality of panel units are mounted on a front surface of the building through a plurality of mounting brackets in such a manner as to be parallelly spaced apart from each other by the same space as that of the joint space.

Abstract: A nursery plant container assembly comprising an inner container which houses the plant, a base plate which supports the container, and an exterior jacket which surrounds the container. The container may be of conventional construction, with an open top and drain openings at the bottom. The base plate underlies and supports the container a spaced distance from the base plate. A peripheral wall is mounted on the base plate, creating a reservoir into which the plant treating fluids drain through the container openings.Wicks extend through the container openings into the reservoir and return the fluid to active use in irrigating the plant. A jacket surrounding the container has at its bottom a radially extending support foot bearing against the base plate.A retainer on the base plate positions and retains the foot. Seal means at the top of the jacket contacts the outer surface of the container and seal off the space between the container and the jacket.