Gardening blanket with integral watering system

Abstract

A blanket with an integral watering system covers the ground associated with a garden and assists in delivering water thereto. The blanket is provided by first and second sheets of material, at least one of said sheets of material being porous. The sheets are interconnected together and form an intermediate space for receiving at least a first conduit for conveying the water to the ground through the porous sheet of material. The first conduit may comprise layflat hose. Preferably, a plurality of channels are formed in the space, each for receiving a second conduit, such as a drip tape or like perforated hose, connected to the first conduit. The first conduit may extend in a first or longitudinal direction of the blanket, and the second conduits may extend in a second, transverse direction.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 791,946, filed Apr. 14, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 857,225, filed Nov. 6, 2006, and is a continuation of PCT / US07 / 66480 filed Apr. 12, 2007, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]This invention relates generally to the gardening arts and, more particularly, to a gardening blanket incorporating a watering system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Gardening as a hobby is ever-increasing in popularity, especially in light of the present ability to obtain easily and inexpensively seeds for a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Of course, gardening can be tedious in terms of the need to ensure the plants get the proper amount of light and food to grow in the desired efficient manner. In this regard, the control of noxious weeds is a crucial aspect of successful gardening. Such weeds not only deplete the soil of precious...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Another aspect of the invention is a method of using the blanket. In this aspect, the blanket may be in roll form. In such case, the method comprises the ste

Problems solved by technology

Of course, gardening can be tedious in terms of the need to ensure the plants get the proper amount of light and food to grow in the desired efficient manner.

Such weeds not only deplete the soil of precious nutrients, hindering growth and development of the desired plants, but also compete for precious space and sunlight.

The first involves the judicious use of chemical herbicides to treat areas surrounding the plants, but this is potentially deleterious to both the plants and the environment as a whole.

While organic and environmentally friendly herbicides are available, they are generally expensive and complicated to apply in the proper fashion.

Regardless of form, the regular application of herbicides is time consuming and even with vigilance does not always keep the weeds at bay.

While such a cover does a reasonably good job of foreclosing or at least controlling weed growth, it creates the significant problem that the underlying soil is generally prevented from absorbing water and nutrients as readily as might have otherwise occurred in the absence of the barrier created.

This is because any water deposited on the cover must pass through it to reach the soil, which even in porous coverings can be a slow process and result in evaporation of the water before it has time to penetrate (which can then promote wasteful over-watering).

Placing serpentine soaker-type hoses or drip tapes above or below the cover helps to solve this problem to a degree, but this is complicated and time consuming.

Also, this approach typically creates a somewhat unsightly, disorganized arrangement, and one that does not necessarily ensure that water is evenly distributed to all areas of the garden.

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