There is provided a method of manufacturing a growing medium. The method comprises accumulating a particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The method further comprises agitating the particulate material. Agitation of the particulate material causes smaller particles of particulate material to sink to the bottom of the growing medium under gravity and to thereby displace larger particles of particulate material to the top of the growing medium. There is also provided a growing medium comprising a particulate material defining a volume of particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The concentration of smaller particles of particulate material increases from the bottom of the volume of the particulate material to the top of the volume of the particulate material. The concentration of larger particles of particulate material decreases from the bottom of the volume of particulate material to the top of the volume of particulate material.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a growing medium. The method comprises accumulating a particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The method further comprises agitating the particulate material. Agitation of the particulate material causes smaller particles of particulate material to sink to the bottom of the growing medium under gravity and to thereby displace larger particles of particulate material to the top of the growing medium. There is also provided a growing medium comprising a particulate material defining a volume of particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The concentration of smaller particles of particulate material increases from the bottom of the volume of the particulate material to the top of the volume of the particulate material. The concentration of larger particles of particulate material decreases from the bottom of the volume of particulate material to the top of the volume of particulate material.

A self-contained soil module, the soil module including a biodegradable outer frame forming the shape of the soil module, a biodegradable wrapping disposed within the biodegradable outer frame, a soil composition contained within the biodegradable wrapping and at least one plant seed of at least one type of plant disposed within the soil module.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A biodegradable layered composite includes at least a first layer and at least a second layer. The first layer of the biodegradable layered composite includes a paper layer having a top surface opposite a substantially planar and parallel bottom surface. The second layer of the biodegradable layered composite includes a non-woven polymer layer having a top surface opposite a substantially planar and parallel bottom surface. The non-woven polymer layer is bonded to the paper layer, forming the biodegradable layered composite. The biodegradable layered composite allows for at least one root of at least one seed to penetrate and grow through both of the paper layer and the non-woven polymer layer of the biodegradable layered composite.

A biodegradable layered composite includes at least a first layer and at least a second layer. The first layer of the biodegradable layered composite includes a paper layer having a top surface opposite a substantially planar and parallel bottom surface. The second layer of the biodegradable layered composite includes a non-woven polymer layer having a top surface opposite a substantially planar and parallel bottom surface. The non-woven polymer layer is bonded to the paper layer, forming the biodegradable layered composite. The biodegradable layered composite allows for at least one root of at least one seed to penetrate and grow through both of the paper layer and the non-woven polymer layer of the biodegradable layered composite.

A layered product including at least one natural fiber layer including a web of natural fibers and at least one SAP layer including a non-woven substrate including a thermoplastic polymer fibers and a superabsorbent polymer adhered to thermoplastic polymer fibers, wherein the non-woven substrate is a high loft fabric, for example an airlaid or spunlaid non-woven, and wherein the natural fiber layer and the SAP layer are connected to each other by needle punching, stitch bonding or using an adhesive. A process to prepare the layered product and the use of the layered product in for example horticulture.

A layered product including at least one natural fiber layer including a web of natural fibers and at least one SAP layer including a non-woven substrate including a thermoplastic polymer fibers and a superabsorbent polymer adhered to thermoplastic polymer fibers, wherein the non-woven substrate is a high loft fabric, for example an airlaid or spunlaid non-woven, and wherein the natural fiber layer and the SAP layer are connected to each other by needle punching, stitch bonding or using an adhesive. A process to prepare the layered product and the use of the layered product in for example horticulture.

A quilted composite sheet containing seeds makes growing microgreens and other crops simple. Each sheet is a layered composite of multiple materials including seed, grow substrate and seed cover. A user can spread a seed quilt over the surface to be planted, water, wait, and harvest.

A grow media includes a layered grow media including a mechanical support structure layer and a wicking structure layer. The mechanical support structure layer and the wicking structure layer are coupled together in a vertical configuration.