A calcium carbonate agricultural product includes calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate agricultural product may be used to replace any suitable agricultural plastic currently in use. A method of growing plants includes providing a calcium carbonate agricultural product including calcium carbonate to protect the plants. A method for controlling a pH of soil includes: providing a calcium carbonate agricultural product including calcium carbonate to the soil; and releasing the calcium carbonate of the calcium carbonate agricultural product to the soil.

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 device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

A modified device for growing plants upon an undulating surface includes the above device with multiple apertures disposed proximate to a selected inner portion of a folded lower flap portion of the top member; and at least one water retaining member disposed between the folded lower flap portion of the top member and a lower elevation side of the bottom member.

A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

A modified device for growing plants upon an undulating surface includes the above device with multiple apertures disposed proximate to a selected inner portion of a folded lower flap portion of the top member; and at least one water retaining member disposed between the folded lower flap portion of the top member and a lower elevation side of the bottom member.

A method for planting crops that involves covering the planted seeds of the crop with an elongate sheet of mulch. The elongate sheet of mulch has lateral edges that determine its width. A combustible cord that is affixed to it between the lateral edges. The combustible cord may be formed within plies of the mulch or adhered thereto. The mulch is placed over the planted crop and held in place over the crop. This may be done by burying lateral edges of the mulch. When a user of the mulch wishes to remove the mulch, he will burn the combustible cord and that will separate the mulch along the cord.

A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

A method for planting crops that involves covering the planted seeds of the crop with an elongate sheet of mulch. The elongate sheet of mulch has lateral edges that determine its width. A combustible cord that is affixed to it between the lateral edges. The combustible cord may be formed within plies of the mulch or adhered thereto. The mulch is placed over the planted crop and held in place over the crop. This may be done by burying lateral edges of the mulch. When a user of the mulch wishes to remove the mulch, he will burn the combustible cord and that will separate the mulch along the cord.

A container for growing a plant. The container includes at least one container wall having a surface, the container wall having one or more light reflective and/or refractive members attached thereto. The one or more light reflective and/or refractive members may include one or more silicate microbeads that are buffered to neutrality. The container may contain a plant, and the one or more light reflective and/or refractive members may be positioned in the container to redistribute light toward the plant, and may be present in an amount effective to cause harmful light saturation of the plant. To safen the plant from such harmful light, the container also may contain one or more glycopyranosidic compounds, such as one or more alkyl-α-D-mannosides.

The invention relates to a planar textile drainage element for preventing moisture to accumulate around plants, as well as to the use thereof.