Modular, Self Contained, Engineered Irrigation Landscape and Flower Bed Panel

Abstract

An ornamental planting landscape irrigation distribution and reservoir product and method ecosystem employing a substantially continuous panel on the soil surface on which ornamental landscape plantings are placed or produced, the panel having a primary, lateral water distribution structure which distributes water from a water charging inlet through the lateral area to the panel periphery, where it is restrained, the primary water distribution structure being such that when filled with water or completely submerged in water, air is trapped by the gaps and spaces of the material for ornamental landscape plant usage.

1 . A method of installing a landscape planting bed, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a panel of porous, permeable material over a base surface in an area which is to contain plants; and   positioning one or more landscape plants in relation to the panel such that the plant's roots can grow in the panel; and   positioning a water blocking boundary between said base surface and the lower surface of the panel to prevent the movement of water past said boundary.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of creating one or more plant receiving openings in the panel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said plant receiving openings are of different sizes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 positioning a water supply conduit to direct irrigation water into the panel at a charging point.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said charging point is located at a side of said panel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said charging point is the top surface of the panel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said panel is comprised of at least two layers of porous, permeable material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said one or more plant receiving holes are made through only the top layer of porous, permeable material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of creating an ecosystem for landscape plants, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a substantially continuous panel of porous, permeable material over a base surface in an area which is to contain one or more plants;   positioning said one or more landscape plants in relation to the panel such that roots of said plants can grow in the panel;   providing a water inlet for said panel;   directing water into said panel;   blocking the movement of water at the bottom surface of said panel;   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of surrounding the roots of each of said one or more plants with a soil ball. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said water inlet is positioned on the side of said panel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said water inlet is the top surface of said panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of positioning a water blocking boundary further comprises positioning said water blocking boundary around substantially all of the sides of said panel.