The present invention relates to the production of propagation plugs, primarily small blocks of sphagnum for the growing of cuttings and seed plants, and of the type consisting of a cylindrical block having an envelope of paper or a similar material and an associated filling of sphagnum or a corresponding substrate material. The paper is an air permeable composite sheet material comprising a) a biodegradable nonwoven sheet material; and b) a hot melt adhesive comprising at least 50% w/w of one or more biodegradable bioplastics. The hot melt adhesive is supplied to at least a part of a face of the biodegradable nonwoven sheet material.

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.

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.

Embodiments of the invention are biodegradable pods containing materials to repair damaged turf (lawns, fields). Each pod is sized and configured to repair an area ranging in size from about 9 square inches to about 36 square inches (60 cm.sup.2 to 230 cm.sup.2). The pods contain granulated ingredients including fertilizer, grass seed, gypsum, humic acid and calcium, in a material that expands when moistened. The pods are covered with a water-disruptable covering such as a polyvinyl alcohol film or a biodegradable paper.

The medium for plant cultivation according to the present invention includes a bag body, and a crushed material obtained by crushing a foam body made of an aliphatic polyester-based resin and packed in the bag body in a compressed state, and in the medium a ratio of the bulk density of the crushed material after being packed in the bag body to the bulk density of the crushed material before being packed in the bag body is larger than 1 and 2 or less.

The medium for plant cultivation according to the present invention includes a bag body, and a crushed material obtained by crushing a foam body made of an aliphatic polyester-based resin and packed in the bag body in a compressed state, and in the medium a ratio of the bulk density of the crushed material after being packed in the bag body to the bulk density of the crushed material before being packed in the bag body is larger than 1 and 2 or less.

A top cover system includes a bag including a growing medium wherein a top side of the bag includes an opening to access the growing medium for growing at least one of a seed and plant, and a top cover including an opening for placement upon the top side of the bag wherein a perimeter and an area of the opening of the top cover is smaller than a perimeter and an area of the opening of the top side of the bag and a perimeter and an area of the top cover is larger than a perimeter and an area of the top side of the bag such that when the top cover is placed upon the top side of the bag, the top side of the bag and a portion of the opening of the top side of the bag cannot be seen and the opening of the top cover includes access to the growing medium for growing the at least one of a seed and plant.

A top cover system includes a bag including a growing medium wherein a top side of the bag includes an opening to access the growing medium for growing at least one of a seed and plant, and a top cover including an opening for placement upon the top side of the bag wherein a perimeter and an area of the opening of the top cover is smaller than a perimeter and an area of the opening of the top side of the bag and a perimeter and an area of the top cover is larger than a perimeter and an area of the top side of the bag such that when the top cover is placed upon the top side of the bag, the top side of the bag and a portion of the opening of the top side of the bag cannot be seen and the opening of the top cover includes access to the growing medium for growing the at least one of a seed and plant.

A multiple produce growth support apparatus comprises a plurality of growth supports having a growth substrate and produce arranged to grow within said respective growth substrate; a connection assembly, each of said plurality of growth supports connected to said connection assembly; an irrigation assembly arranged to irrigate said plurality of growth supports; and a rotation mechanism coupled to said connection assembly and arranged to rotate said plurality of growth supports about a predetermined rotation axis, wherein, when at least one of said growth support provides at least one growth substrate that is ready to be sold to the consumers said at least one growth substrate is moved to the section that is visible to present and deliver the produce to said consumers; whereby, said apparatus provides consumers with fresh produce directly from said growth substrate.

The composition contains, as essential components, coconut fibers, compost of sheep manure and Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypahrum. The composition is included into a bag that has at least two parts joined together through at least a first weakened portion, allowing to separate it into two bags each having an opening wherein the composition contained in the bag parts is accessible. The composition inside each of the bags is contacted with a plant or at least a seed via the opening.