Provided is an information providing system capable of promoting use of services relating to a lawn. An information providing system 1 includes: a gardener terminal 200 that provides gardener information regarding a service relating to a lawn; a customer terminal 300 that is communicably connected to the gardener terminal 200 and provides request information relating to the lawn; and an information providing device 100 that is communicably connected to the gardener terminal 200 and the customer terminal 300. The information providing device 100 includes a gardener information storage unit 121 that stores the gardener information, a gardener information acquiring unit 111 that, upon receiving the request information from the customer terminal 300, refers to the gardener information storage unit 121 and acquires the gardener information matching the request information, and a gardener information transmitting unit 112 that transmits the gardener information acquired by the gardener information acquiring unit 111 to the customer terminal 300.

A mechanically resilient variety of Rushia lineolata is presented, particularly in combination with a conditioned growth medium. In preferred aspects, the variety is clonally selected for a small growth profile and mechanical resiliency to resist damage from foot traffic, and the growth medium includes a porous low-density glass component, an acidic organic absorbent component, and a microbial organic component to enhance the desired properties.

A mechanically resilient variety of Rushia lineolata is presented, particularly in combination with a conditioned growth medium. In preferred aspects, the variety is clonally selected for a small growth profile and mechanical resiliency to resist damage from foot traffic, and the growth medium includes a porous low-density glass component, an acidic organic absorbent component, and a microbial organic component to enhance the desired properties.

A turf management system includes a wireless receiver that is configured to receive respective wireless signals comprising sensor data from wireless sensors positioned in a soil profile at respective depths below a green surface. A control circuit is coupled to the wireless receiver and is configured to determine soil profile conditions at the respective depths below the green surface responsive to the sensor data. The control circuit is coupled to a subsoil environmental control mechanism and is configured to automatically control operation of the subsoil environmental control mechanism responsive to the soil profile conditions at the respective depths below the green surface. The subsoil environmental control mechanism may include a hydronic mechanism that is configured to circulate fluid through a hydronic tubing network below the green surface.

A turf management system includes a wireless receiver that is configured to receive respective wireless signals comprising sensor data from wireless sensors positioned in a soil profile at respective depths below a green surface. A control circuit is coupled to the wireless receiver and is configured to determine soil profile conditions at the respective depths below the green surface responsive to the sensor data. The control circuit is coupled to a subsoil environmental control mechanism and is configured to automatically control operation of the subsoil environmental control mechanism responsive to the soil profile conditions at the respective depths below the green surface. The subsoil environmental control mechanism may include a hydronic mechanism that is configured to circulate fluid through a hydronic tubing network below the green surface.

Grass seed performance may be predicted by receiving grass seed selections for individual grass seed varieties and target geographic regions for growing the grass seed selection. A common set of grass attributes is identified from historical grass attribute values associated with the selected target regions. The historical grass attribute values in the first common set of grass attributes are retrieved and are displayed in a graphical format for the at least two individual grass seed varieties in the at least two selected target regions. A weighted average may be calculated for the historical grass attribute values in the common set and may provide a prediction of performance of the individual grass seed varieties across the selected geographic regions or in regions proximate the selected geographic regions.

Grass seed performance may be predicted by receiving grass seed selections for individual grass seed varieties and target geographic regions for growing the grass seed selection. A common set of grass attributes is identified from historical grass attribute values associated with the selected target regions. The historical grass attribute values in the first common set of grass attributes are retrieved and are displayed in a graphical format for the at least two individual grass seed varieties in the at least two selected target regions. A weighted average may be calculated for the historical grass attribute values in the common set and may provide a prediction of performance of the individual grass seed varieties across the selected geographic regions or in regions proximate the selected geographic regions.

An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants and selective cutting of undesirable plant material is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants and selective cutting of undesirable plant material is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Hydrogel-forming components may be applied to soil in dry or wet formulations. After migrating to a targeted area, such as a root zone of a plant, particularly turfgrass, and after a triggering event such as a change in concentration, the hydrogel-forming components form a hydrogel in situ in the targeted area. The compositions and methods of the disclosure advantageously allow for direct application of hydrogel-forming components using existing equipment (such as, for example, sprayers) without tilling or disrupting the plants to which the compositions are applied. Hydrogel-forming components comprise one or more backbones, one or more crosslinkers, and, optionally, one or more adjuvants.