A plant watering system includes an irrigation mat that can be placed around a plant on top of the soil. The irrigation mat includes a water reservoir that holds water, and a slow-pass water permeable membrane that releases the water in the water reservoir in a slow manner so the soil around the plant is watered at a controlled rate. The irrigation mat may optionally include a threaded port where a container of liquid fertilizer can be placed so the liquid fertilizer is mixed with the water in the reservoir, allowing easily fertilizing the plant as it is watered. The plant watering system may also optionally include a dryness sensor that provides an alert indicating the water reservoir in the irrigation mat needs to be refilled.

The ground cover includes a planar fabric body, a cover flap, and a pair of side rods. The cover body has a single slit that extends to its center to allow the ground cover to completely wrap around the base of the plant and lay flat over th ground. The cover flap is sewn or bonded to the cover body and folds to lay flat over the cover body in two positions, either folded to lie on one side of the slit or covering the slit. The side rods allow the ground cover to be easily lifted to deposit collected leaves and clippings into a collection container.

A plant watering system includes an irrigation mat that can be placed around a plant on top of the soil. The irrigation mat includes a water reservoir that holds water, and a slow-pass water permeable membrane that releases the water in the water reservoir in a slow manner so the soil around the plant is watered at a controlled rate. The irrigation mat may optionally include a threaded port where a container of liquid fertilizer can be placed so the liquid fertilizer is mixed with the water in the reservoir, allowing easily fertilizing the plant as it is watered. The plant watering system may also optionally include a dryness sensor that provides an alert indicating the water reservoir in the irrigation mat needs to be refilled.

A horticultural apparatus is provided for managing soil conditions. The horticultural apparatus includes a nonporous and translucent polymeric sheet forming a two-dimensional array of basins defining an upper plane and a lower plane. Each basin has a rim in the upper plane, a base in the lower plane, sidewalls that slope inwardly from the rim to the base, and a hole in the base. The polymeric sheet connects the rim of each basin to the rims of each adjacent basin to form a continuous canopy between the basins. The continuous canopy preferably prevents air convection through the polymeric sheet when the hole in each basin is pressed against the soil. Embodiments of the horticultural apparatus may be used to warm the soil, control weed growth, control water run-off and extend the life of an organic mulch.

A plant protector includes a body having neck portion, a midsection portion, and a gusset portion. The gusset portion includes a first channel with a first cord for cinching the gusset around an open top of a hydroponic container. The neck portion includes a second channel with a second cord for cinching the neck portion around a stalk of a plant growing in the hydroponic container. The midsection portion includes a mesh material that prevents insect infestation.

A novel nonwoven material for use as underlayment in landscaping is disclosed. The inventive method comprises creating a layered nonwoven material, identifying a landscaping location for receiving a portion of said layered nonwoven material; preparing a landscaping location; placing a portion of said layered nonwoven material on said landscaping location. The method may further comprise measuring a portion of said landscaping location; measuring a portion of said layered nonwoven material; comprise cutting one or more desired shapes from a portion of said layered nonwoven material; and securing a portion of said layered nonwoven material to said landscaping location by pushing one or more landscaping pins through said layered nonwoven material and into a portion of ground underneath said layered nonwoven material.

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of turf reinforcement mats that include spun yarns and/or multifilament yarns in either or both of the warp and weft directions.

A modular weed barrier mat comprised of a double layer of tire tread sections cut from used tires arranged so that the lengths of the upper sections are perpendicular to those of the lower sections. A pair of upper sections are positioned in spaced apart relationship so as to form a gap, with a central slit array cut into two immediately adjacent lower sections accessible within the gap. A slit cut through a width of one lower section directly below one of the upper sections on either side of the central slit array allows a post to be moved into the slit and then positioned in the central slit array. Corrosion resistant fasteners are removed and replaced as needed to allow the mat to be installed or removed as desired. One embodiment features lower and upper lap portions on opposite sides of the mat for modular installation.

A tarp roller for rolling a tarp or other ground cover has a frame adapted for mounting to a tow vehicle. The frame has a first support arm and a second support arm extending therefrom in spaced part relation. A primary rotatable spindle is powered and removably connected between the first support arm and the second support arm. A retainer to retain the tarp against the primary rotatable spindle comprises an elongate member mounted in removable spaced apart, coaligned relation with the primary rotatable spindle to move with the primary rotatable spindle as it rotates. The tarp roller further comprises further a secondary guide roller rotatably attached to the frame at a position above and forward of the primary rotatable spindle. A method of rolling a tarp is provided.

One embodiment provides a modular green roof tray, house plant growth media and horticulture growth media, and a tree protection mat for weed and moisture control made from recycled disposable diapers. The growth medium and tree protection mat contain superabsorbent materials from diaper that can absorb waters and greatly reduce irrigation so to provide a drought resistant feature. One embodiment also provides a manufacturing process to perform 100% recycling of disposed diapers.