A mulch cutting and spreading machine is a machine that is designed to be able to suction mulch out of the bed of a vehicle that is towing the mulch cutting and spreading machine and to simultaneously suction and chop the mulch and discharge it through a discharge hose that is directed by the user. The mulch or other such material can be then blown or spread over an area quickly in one combined action.

Lignin formulations for making light-selective mulch, methods of making such lignin formulations, light-selective mulches comprising substrates treated with lignin formulations, and methods of making such light-selective mulches. Some methods involve preparing aqueous lignin formulations that can be used as coatings that, in turn, can be applied to a substrate, such as a paper web, to form a biodegradable, light-selective mulch. Some such mulches blocks at least some light in the ultraviolet and blue/green ranges (350 nm to 500 nm) of the visible light spectrum to inhibit weed growth below the mulch, while also transmitting light in the red/infrared ranges to heat the soil below the mulch.

A method is provided for producing a biochar solution. The method comprises the steps of collecting biochar particles, dispersing the biochar particles in a liquid solution and adding a stabilizing agent to keep the biochar in flowable suspension. The stabilizing agent may be added to the liquid solution or to the biochar prior to placing the biochar in solution.

The present invention provides a water-retaining layer for retaining water in soil, the water-retaining layer being composed of a coagulated natural rubber latex; a greening system having the water-retaining layer provided; and a construction method of the greening system, comprising: an exposing step of removing surface soil in a construction target land and exposing underground soil, a spraying step of spraying a natural rubber latex on an exposed surface of soil, a coagulation step of coagulating the natural rubber latex to form a water-retaining layer, and a covering step of covering the water-retaining layer with the removed surface soil.

A combination of mulch and sterilized organic fertilizer is provided for hydro seeding and hydro-mulching for seed establishment and erosion control. The composition includes hammer milled straw, horse manure and urine, sterilized with heat and processed to provide an optimal particle size. The incorporation of horse manure utilizes a dispersible natural fertilizer collected and processed within a certain time frame which provides an efficient method of recycling green horse manure and liquid waste having a higher acidity than decomposed animal waste. Tackifiers and flocculants such as ground paper aid pumpability and help tack the straw fibers to the ground. The equipment includes a gas heat source, a dryer vessel and a processing unit. The dryer vessel receives the bedding composed of straw and manure for contact with the heated gases to convert the same to a sterilized dry material.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

Some variations provide an emulsion-colloid system for forming a colloidal barrier material disposed on a substrate, the system comprising a hydrophilic first liquid, an acid, a gelling agent, a hydrophobic second liquid, a plasticizer, and optionally additives, wherein the emulsion-colloid system is characterized by (1) a first instance that is a flowable emulsion above 60 C. and less than the boiling point of the first liquid, and (2) a second instance that is a colloid below 40 C. The emulsion-colloid system is capable of reversible transition, mediated by temperature, between the first instance and the second instance. The disclosed colloidal barrier material provides the functionality of plastic alternatives while removing disadvantages. The disclosed colloidal barrier material reduces labor-intensive application of the barrier, such as the case for covering grain piles with plastic tarps. The disclosed colloidal barrier material also eliminates the need for removal when barrier protection is no longer required.

A mulch cutting and spreading machine is a machine that is designed to be able to suction mulch out of the bed of a vehicle that is towing the mulch cutting and spreading machine and to simultaneously suction and chop the mulch and discharge it through a discharge hose that is directed by the user. The mulch or other such material can be then blown or spread over an area quickly in one combined action.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A method for tapping a yield potential of Saccharum officinarum by controlling a time of plastic mulching is provided. The method includes: (1) plastic mulching: mulching a Saccharum officinarum furrow in a Saccharum officinarum field fully with a wide plastic film in a direction parallel to the Saccharum officinarum furrow, and covering the plastic film directly above the Saccharum officinarum furrow with soil with a certain thickness along the Saccharum officinarum furrow, such that the plastic film is tightly attached to soil in the Saccharum officinarum furrow; (2) control of the time of plastic mulching, and (3) plastic film recycling treatment. The method of the present disclosure is advanced, practical, easy to operate, and easy to promote.