Abstract:
Modular garden environmental apparatus and methods including apparatus to limit weed growth to nearby one or more plants, protecting the plants from insects and animals, providing additional thermal retention, automatically maintaining a desired soil moisture control near the plants, providing a method of fertilizer delivery and providing vertically offset regions for plants.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application 60/756,932, Attorney Docket DH003US, filed Jan. 5, 2006, and entitled “Modular Garden Environmental Containment System and Method” and U.S. Provisional Application 60/756,589, Attorney Docket DH002US, filed Jan. 4, 2006, and entitled “Modular Garden Environmental Containment System and Method”, which are each incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to gardening systems and methods, and more particularly, to garden environment maintenance or containment systems and methods.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     It may be desirable to control weed growth, insect exposure, animal exposure, moisture level, fertilizer levels, and temperature near or about one or more plants in a soil bed. The present invention provides such a system and method.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:  
         [0007]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified isometric diagrams of soil covers having adjustable plant windows in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a simplified isometric diagram of pins that may be used with the soil cover having adjustable plant windows shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified side view of a retracted plant window shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a simplified side view of a contracted plant window shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3C  is a simplified isometric view of a retracted plant window shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3D  is a simplified isometric view of a retracted plant window shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3E  is a simplified isometric view of a contracted plant window shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a simplified top diagram of a soil cover having adjustable plant windows with plant spacing graphics in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a simplified top diagram of a soil cover architecture including two soil covers shown in  FIG. 4A  in a configuration in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4C  is a simplified top diagram of another soil cover architecture including two soil covers shown in  FIG. 4A  in a configuration in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4D  is a simplified top diagram of another soil cover architecture including four soil covers shown in  FIG. 4A  in a configuration in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4E  to  4 H are simplified top diagrams of soil cover architecture including a plurality of soil covers in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 4I  to  4 J are simplified top diagrams of soil cover architecture including a plurality of soil covers and plantings in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a simplified isometric diagram of an insect exclusion system that may be removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a simplified side view of a side pole or post that may be employed in the system shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a simplified side view of a center pole or post that may be employed in the system shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a simplified isometric diagram of an automated hydration system that may be removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a simplified isometric diagram of a hydration control station that may be employed in the automated hydration system shown in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7C  is a simplified isometric diagram of a soil hydration monitor that may be employed in the automated hydration system shown in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a simplified isometric diagram of a flightless animal exclusion system that may be removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a simplified side view of a side pole or post that may be employed in the system shown in  FIG. 8A  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8C  is a simplified isometric diagram of a flightless animal exclusion architecture including a single exclusion system removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8D  is a simplified isometric diagram of another flightless animal exclusion architecture including multiple exclusion systems removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a simplified isometric diagram of a vertical extension system that may be removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a simplified isometric diagram of a thermal retention system that may be removably attached to the soil cover shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11A  is a simplified isometric diagram of a section of the soil cover shown  FIGS. 1A and 1B  indicating fertilizer placement areas in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 11B  is a simplified side view of fertilizer rods that may be employed in the system shown in  FIG. 5A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]     Throughout this description, embodiments and variations are described for the purpose of illustrating uses and implementations of the invention. The illustrative description should be understood as presenting examples of the invention, rather than as limiting the scope of the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified isometric diagram of a soil cover  10  having adjustable plant windows  18  in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment the soil or landscape cover  10  includes four rows of windows  18  having four sub-windows in an embodiment. Each window  18  is bordered by a pair of moveable, weighted flaps  14 ,  16 . In an embodiment each flap  14 ,  16  extends along the window length and may be rolled from an open position to create a large plant area  18  as shown on the left for seedlings  32 . In an embodiment the flaps  14 ,  16  may be rolled to a substantially closed position to accommodate one or more desired plants  34 . The flaps  14 ,  16  and cover material  12  are constructed of a heavy duty landscape fabric that ideally permits moisture to be absorbed and transported to soil below the fabric while preventing weed growth due to its weight and density. The fabric may include a polypropylene based, non-woven geotextile material. The fabric may also be a dark color to absorb more radiation including substantially black.  
         [0036]     The soil cover  10  may also include metal encased grommets  22  along its border. In an embodiment the metal grommets are brass grommets  22 . In an embodiment, the soil cover  10  is sized about six feet square and includes twelve (12) grommets (one at each corner and two off center on each side). In other embodiments the soil cover  10  size may be 6′×12′, 12′×12′, 12′×18′, or 3′×6′ as shown in  FIG. 1B . The soil cover  200  shown in  FIG. 1B  also includes adjustable plant windows  218  in the fabric  212  framed by extendable, retractable flaps  214 ,  216 . The soil cover  200  may have a length that is a multiple of its width (3′ width and 6′ length in an embodiment) so the soil cover  200  may be folded for different soil architecture. The soil cover  200  may also include metal encased grommets  222  along its border.  FIG. 2  is a simplified isometric diagram of pins or stakes  40  that may be inserted into soil via the soil cover  10  grommets  22  in accordance with the present invention. The stakes  40  may include a pointed distal end  44  and enlarged proximal end  42 . In an embodiment the stakes  40  may be fabricated from plastic, fiberglass, metal, or other resilient material including aluminum.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3A  is a simplified side view of soil cover  10 ,  200  with retracted window  18  flaps  14 ,  16 , forming a large plant window  18  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 3B  is a simplified side view of soil cover  10 ,  200  window  18  flaps  14 ,  16  extended, forming a substantially closed, small plant window  18  in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment, a soil cover  10 ,  200  user may fold back or retract flaps  14 ,  16  to create a large soil window  18  so that soil within the window  18  may be cultivated. After the soil is cultivated, seeds may be planted and the window  18  flaps  14 ,  16  may be retracted until the seeds germinate ( FIG. 3C ) and the plants  32  are a few inches tall ( FIG. 3D ). Then a soil cover  10 ,  200  user may extend the window  18  flaps  14 ,  16  to reduce soil exposure ( FIG. 3E ). The reduced soil exposure (small window  18 ) may reduce undesirable plant growth (weeds) and help maintain soil moisture and temperature for plantings  34 .  
         [0038]     In an embodiment, a soil cover  10 ,  200  user may transplant mature seedlings  32  or plantings  34 . In such an embodiment, the user may retract the window  18  flaps  14 ,  16  to plant the seedlings ( FIG. 3D ) and then extend the flaps to reduce soil exposure ( FIG. 3E ). In an embodiment, the flaps may include an enlarged end  17  that may be filled with sand, water, or other pliable material. In an embodiment the enlarged window  18  flap  14 ,  16  end  17  may have about a 1.5 inch diameter. The enlarged window  18  flap  14 ,  16  ends  17  may help keep the soil cover  10  grounded in addition to the pins or stakes  22 . In an embodiment, the enlarged flap  14 ,  16  ends  17  may be filled with a combination of sand and water-holding granules. The window  18  flap  14 ,  16  ends  17  may help keep the adjacent soil moist. The window  18  flap  14 ,  16  ends  17  may also be formed of long, durable, sealable bags. The bags may be filled with a flowable material or liquid, such as water and then sealed. The bags may also be filled with a liquid having a lower freezing point than water to prevent expansion and damage to the ends  17 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 3C  one or more locking mechanisms  222 ,  224  may be coupled to a window  18  flap  14 ,  16  ( 214 ,  216 ) end. The locking mechanisms  222 ,  224  may securely match a first flap  14 ,  214  to a second flap  16 ,  216  to securely reduce the corresponding soil cover  10 ,  200  window  18 ,  218 . The locking mechanisms  222 ,  224  any releasably, securable mechanism including Velcro® type products, zippers, or buttons. As shown in  FIG. 3E  the locking mechanisms  222 ,  224  may be segmented to enable plantings  34  to pass there-between. In an embodiment each flap  14 ,  214 ,  16 ,  216  end  17  may include indentations  228  ( FIG. 3E ) to facilitate folding of the soil cover  10 ,  200  at such indentations  228 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 4A  is a simplified top diagram of a soil cover  10  having adjustable plant windows  18  with plant spacing graphics  24  in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment where each soil cover  10  forms a six foot square, each window center may be about 17.25″ apart from an adjacent window  18  center. The graphics  24  may include nomenclature to indicate where plants should be located using different planting and spacing topologies. In an embodiment the grommets  22  may be mathematically placed on the fabric  12  so they may be attach (and overlap) with adjacent soil covers  10 .  FIG. 4B  is a simplified top diagram of a soil cover architecture or topology including two soil covers  10  in a configuration in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4C  is a simplified top diagram of another soil cover architecture including two soil covers in a configuration in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4D  is a simplified top diagram of another soil cover architecture including four soil covers shown in  FIG. 4A  in a configuration in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 4E  to  4 H are simplified top diagram of soil cover architecture comprised of soil covers where the width is an integer multiple of the length (2:1 in these figures).  FIG. 4E  is a diagram of a corner architecture including two soil covers  200 .  FIG. 4F  is a diagram of a square architecture including two soil covers  200 .  FIG. 4G  is a diagram of a rectangular architecture including three soil covers  200 .  FIG. 4H  is a diagram of another rectangular architecture including six soil covers  200 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 4I and 4J  are simplified top diagram of soil cover architectures with representative plantings. The soil cover architecture shown in  FIG. 4I  includes three soil covers  200 . In a first soil cover  200  beet and lettuce plantings are inserted into each window  218 . In another soil cover  200  basil plantings are inserted into each window of a row and sunflower plantings are inserted into alternate windows of the second row. In a third soil cover  200  pole bean plantings are inserted into the first, two windows of the two rows and pepper plantings are inserted into diagonal windows of the first and second row. The soil cover architecture shown in  FIG. 4J  includes two soil covers  200 . In a first, upper soil cover  200  carrot plantings are inserted into each window  218  where the rows are about 18 inches apart. In the lower soil cover  200  tomato plantings are inserted into alternative and offset windows of each row so that each tomato planting is about 21.25 inches apart in a 3′×6′ soil cover.  
         [0043]     In an embodiment the soil cover  10 ,  200  may be folded over itself to form other configurations. At the end of a planting season or cycle, the pins or stakes  22  may be removed and the cover  10  may be cleaned and stored for the next planting season or cycle.  FIG. 5  is a simplified isometric diagram of an insect exclusion system  50  that may be removably attached to the soil cover  10 ,  200  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment the insect exclusion system  50  includes a net  53  couplable to the soil cover  10 ,  200  via a plurality of exterior poles  56  and center pole  54 .  FIG. 6A  is a simplified side view of a side pole or post  56  that may be employed in the system  50  shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 6B  is a simplified side view of a center pole  54  or post that may be employed in the system  50  shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present invention. The side posts or poles  56  include a distal end  57  and net hooks  51 . In an embodiment the pole  56  distal end  57  may be inserted into a grommet  22  of the soil cover  10 . The center pole  54  may include a spring section  55 . In an embodiment the net  53  may formed of a mesh that permits the communication of air, light, and moisture. In an embodiment the net  53  may include weights  52  along its edges to hold the net against the soil cover  10 .  
         [0044]     In an embodiment the net  53  may be replaced with a transparent sheeting material  120  such as shown in  FIG. 10  to form a thermal retention system that may be removably attached to the soil cover in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment the sheeting material  120  includes an ultraviolet resistant plastic. The thermal retention system may help retain thermal energy within its enclosure and protect plants in the soil cover  10 ,  200  from insects and animals. In an embodiment the sheeting material  120  may be sized to protect or insulate multiple soil covers  10 ,  200 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 7A  is a simplified isometric diagram of an automated hydration system  60  that may be inserted through an opening in a soil cover  10 ,  200  to contact the soil in a particular location in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment the hydration system  60  includes a control station  80  and a soil hydration monitor  70 . The control system  80  may be coupled to a water supply  68  and field hub  62  via a hose  61 . One or more sprinklers  66  may be coupled to the field hub  62  via hoses or pipes  64 . Any configuration may be employed in conjunction with the soil cover(s)  10 ,  200 .  FIG. 7B  is a simplified isometric diagram of a hydration control station  80  that may be employed in the automated hydration system  60  in accordance with the present invention. In an embodiment the hydration control system  80  includes a control panel  86 , antenna  84 , and water supply coupler  88 . In an embodiment the control system  80  communicates wirelessly with a soil hydration monitor  70 . A user may program the system  80  via the interface  86  to automatically regulate water distribution as a function of the desired soil moisture. In another embodiment, the system  80  may communicate with multiple hydration monitors  70  and control multiple fields based on the monitor  70  data.  
         [0046]      FIG. 7C  is a simplified isometric diagram of a soil hydration monitor  70  that may be employed in the automated hydration system  60  shown in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with the present invention. The monitor  70  includes a moisture sensor  72  and antenna  74 . In an embodiment the sensor  72  may measure the ground resistance, impedance, capacitance, or inductance and use any combination of these measurements to determine the adjacent soil moisture. In an embodiment the soil hydration monitor  70  and control system  80  may be solar powered, in whole or part.  
         [0047]      FIG. 8A  is a simplified isometric diagram of a flightless animal exclusion system  90  that may be removably attached to one or more soil covers  10 ,  200  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in accordance with the present invention. The exclusion system  90  includes a retractable fence that may be coiled within a storage tube  92 . The storage tube includes fence hooks  98  and stake  96 . The stake  96  may placed in a grommet  22  of a soil cover  10 ,  200 . In an embodiment the fence  94  may be uncoiled to a length sufficient to encompass the entire border of a soil cover architecture. In an embodiment where the soil architecture includes a single soil cover  10  (or two soil covers  200 ) that is six foot square, the fence may have a total length of about 24 feet when uncoiled completely.  FIG. 8B  is a simplified side view of a side pole or post  100  that may be employed in the exclusion system  90  in accordance with the present invention. The posts  100  include a stake  104  at the distal end and several fence hooks  102 . In an embodiment the stakes  100  may be inserted in one or more grommets  22  of a soil cover  10 ,  200  and engaged to the fence  94  via the hooks  102  to hold the fence  94  securely to the cover  10 ,  200  (preventing or limiting tunneling to plants within the soil cover  10 ,  200 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 8C  is a simplified isometric diagram of a flightless animal exclusion architecture including a single exclusion system  90  removably attached to the soil cover  10  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the fence  94  is coupled to a post  100  at each soil cover  10  corner. The fencing storage tube  92  may be extended to the right corner to completely enclose the soil cover  10 .  FIG. 8D  is a simplified isometric diagram of another flightless animal exclusion architecture including multiple exclusion systems  90  removably attached to the two, adjacent soil covers  10  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the two, joined soil covers  10  are enclosed by two fencing systems  90 . One fence  94  is completely extended from a fence tube  92  and coupled to hooks  98  of another fence tube  92 . The second fence  94  is partially extended from the fence tube  92  and also coupled to the fence tube  92  hooks  98 . In another embodiment, fence tubes  92  may accommodate different length and height fences  94 . In an embodiment, the fence tubes  92  accommodate a 24 foot long by 3 foot high fence  94 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a simplified isometric diagram of a vertical extension system  110  that may be removably attached to a soil cover  10 ,  200  in accordance with the present invention. The vertical extension system  110  may include legs  114 , cages  112 , and cross members  116 . In an embodiment the legs  114  may be inserted in the window rows  18 ,  218 . The cages may be formed of an anodized wire or plastic. In an embodiment a user may place vine based plants in different cage sections to increase plant production. Different configurations of legs  114 , cages  112 , and cross members  116  may be employed to create different vertical plant extension systems.  
         [0050]      FIG. 11A  is a simplified isometric diagram of a section of the soil cover  10 ,  200  shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B  indicating fertilizer placement areas  252  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, fertilizer may be placed in the window  18 ,  218  formed when the flaps  14 ,  214  and  16 ,  216  are rolled back. Then flaps  14 ,  214  and  16 ,  216  may be rolled toward each other to reduce the window  18 ,  218  size and cover placed fertilizer. In such an embodiment the flaps  14 ,  214   16 ,  216  may protect the fertilizer from ultraviolet light.  
         [0051]      FIG. 11B  is a simplified side view of fertilizer rods  250  that may be employed in the system shown in  FIG. 11A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment the fertilizer to be placed in the windows  18 ,  218  may have a cylindrical configuration  250  with a distal end  254  and proximal end  256 . The fertilizer rods  250  may contain nutrients that are slow released into the soil adjacent plants  32 ,  34  in the windows  18 ,  218 . The window  18 ,  218  flaps  14 ,  214 ,  16 ,  216  may aid the release of the rod  250  nutrients by blocking at least a portion of ultraviolet light when the flaps are extended toward the plants  32 ,  34  and over rods  250  placed in the fertilizer areas  252  (thus reducing the window  18 ,  218  size).  
         [0052]     While this invention has been described in terms of a best mode for achieving the objectives of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, each soil cover may include a single planting window, two planting windows, or other variations based on the soil cover surface area and plant spacing requirements.