A tree or plant protection mat is provided, comprising: a top layer, having a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall; and a water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and comprising a section having superabsorbent particles and a section not having superabsorbent particles. Other mats and methods are provided.

A tree or plant protection mat is provided, comprising: a top layer, having a first perimeter edge; a water-permeable bottom layer, having a second perimeter edge affixed either directly to the first perimeter edge, or indirectly to the first perimeter edge via an intervening sidewall; and a water-absorbing and releasing center layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, and comprising a section having superabsorbent particles and a section not having superabsorbent particles. Other mats and methods are provided.

A method of creating a wetland in a hot, arid, location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing therein a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). Water from the channel is applied to hydrate the SAP, and both edible and dam-constructing vegetation is allowed to grow and mature from the seeds and/or seedlings. Beavers are then introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct at least one dam across the channel of flowing water, thereby forming a wetland that further encourages both the vegetation and the beavers to propagate. A perforated, transparent or translucent cover sheet can be placed on or suspended above the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The wetland vegetation cools and humidifies the environment by transpiration of water.

A method of creating a wetland in a hot, arid, location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing therein a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). Water from the channel is applied to hydrate the SAP, and both edible and dam-constructing vegetation is allowed to grow and mature from the seeds and/or seedlings. Beavers are then introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct at least one dam across the channel of flowing water, thereby forming a wetland that further encourages both the vegetation and the beavers to propagate. A perforated, transparent or translucent cover sheet can be placed on or suspended above the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The wetland vegetation cools and humidifies the environment by transpiration of water.

The invention provides a flower shipment kit comprising: a container holding an aqueous flower gel; and one or more cut flowers whose stems are immersed in the aqueous flower gel; wherein the aqueous flower gel comprises (i) 1-4 wt. % of disc-shaped smectite clay nanoparticles having two opposing flat surfaces that are negatively charged and a rim that is positively charged, and (ii) 0.01-250 mM of one or more gel destabilizing agents selected from acidulants, dissolved metal cations and dissolved ammonium cations. The flower gel of the present invention slowly releases water over time in a way that enables cut flowers to take it up immediately. The invention also relates to a kit of parts for preparing a gelled hydration medium and to a method of preparing such a gelled hydration medium.

The invention provides a flower shipment kit comprising: a container holding an aqueous flower gel; and one or more cut flowers whose stems are immersed in the aqueous flower gel; wherein the aqueous flower gel comprises (i) 1-4 wt. % of disc-shaped smectite clay nanoparticles having two opposing flat surfaces that are negatively charged and a rim that is positively charged, and (ii) 0.01-250 mM of one or more gel destabilizing agents selected from acidulants, dissolved metal cations and dissolved ammonium cations. The flower gel of the present invention slowly releases water over time in a way that enables cut flowers to take it up immediately. The invention also relates to a kit of parts for preparing a gelled hydration medium and to a method of preparing such a gelled hydration medium.

A hydrogel includes a cross-linked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and combinations thereof, the hydrogel including cross-links selected from residues of at least one difunctional acrylic material selected from the group consisting of N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA), tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TTEGDA) and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of growing a plant using the hydrogel as a substrate.

A hydrogel includes a cross-linked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide and combinations thereof, the hydrogel including cross-links selected from residues of at least one difunctional acrylic material selected from the group consisting of N,N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA), tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TTEGDA) and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of growing a plant using the hydrogel as a substrate.

An apparatus and method for growing vegetation in a hot, arid, coastal location includes installing, at or below grade, a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP), the mat being cooperative with a thermally conductive network in thermal communication with an evaporative panel that is cooled by seawater evaporation, thereby drawing heat away from the mat. A seawater reservoir can collect seawater draining from the cooling panel. A pumping system can recirculate the collected seawater to the cooling panel, thereby converting the seawater into brine, which can be periodically transferred to a drying tray for production of salt. A perforated, transparent or translucent cover sheet can be placed on or suspended above the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cooling panel can be incorporated into a wall of a cooling greenhouse that surrounds and contains the mat.

Provided is a method for growing a plant using a water-absorbent resin that is less prone to be deactivated by calcium ions, magnesium ions, or the like in soil, water, or a fertilizer. The method includes mixing a first water-absorbent resin containing a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol and a crosslinked phosphorylated starch or a second water-absorbent resin composed of a crosslinked phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol into soil to form improved soil, and growing a plant such as turf on the improved soil. The water-absorbent resin is mixed in a granular shape into the soil to afford improved soil. The first water-absorbent resin includes those in which polyvinyl alcohol itself, a phosphorylated starch itself, and polyvinyl alcohol and a phosphorylated starch are crosslinked intermolecularly. The second water-absorbent resin includes one in which a phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol itself is crosslinked intermolecularly.