System for promoting plant growth

Claim 1

A system for promoting plant growth, comprising, in combination, a ground engaging member adapted to be secured in a generally fixed position on the ground, said ground engaging mEmber including an upstanding peripheral wall portion and a generally central upstanding wall portion defining with said peripheral wall portion a continuous trough therebetween, said central portion having an opening therein to allow the protrusion therethrough of a plant rooted into the ground in underlying relation to said opening, said trough having at least one depending root feeder element integrally formed therewith adapted to be inserted into the ground so that the lower end thereof is disposed below the level of said trough, said feeder element being hollow and of generally conical geometry with its apex directed downwardly and having an open upper end communicating with said trough and into which plant nutrient may be introduced and through which water in said trough flows to enhance root growth at a level lower than the level of said trough, and a cover member including a raised central portion and a lower peripheral trough defining portion, said trough defining portion of said cover member including a generally transversely disposed channel in the lower surface thereof to provide communication between inner and outer portions of said trough in said ground engaging member when said member is mounted thereon, and being adapted to be received downwardly into said trough in said ground engaging member for cooperation therewith and being adapted to receive a weight substance therein to maintain said cover member mounted on said ground engaging member against the force of winds or the like which would tend to separate said cover from said ground engaging member, whereby said cover member shields said opening in said generally central portion thereof to protect a plant protruding through said opening.

Claim 2

A system for promoting plant growth, comprising, in combination, a ground engaging member adapted to be secured in a generally fixed position on the ground, said ground engaging mEmber including an upstanding peripheral wall portion and a generally central upstanding wall portion defining with said peripheral wall portion a continuous trough therebetween, said central portion having an opening therein to allow the protrusion therethrough of a plant rooted into the ground in underlying relation to said opening, said trough having at least one depending root feeder element integrally formed therewith adapted to be inserted into the ground so that the lower end thereof is disposed below the level of said trough, said feeder element being hollow and of generally conical geometry with its apex directed downwardly and having an open upper end communicating with said trough and into which plant nutrient may be introduced and through which water in said trough flows to enhance root growth at a level lower than the level of said trough, and a cover member including a raised central portion and a lower peripheral trough defining portion, said trough defining portion of said cover member including a generally transversely disposed channel in the lower surface thereof to provide communication between inner and outer portions of said trough in said ground engaging member when said member is mounted thereon, and being adapted to be received downwardly into said trough in said ground engaging member for cooperation therewith and being adapted to receive a weight substance therein to maintain said cover member mounted on said ground engaging member against the force of winds or the like which would tend to separate said cover from said ground engaging member, whereby said cover member shields said opening in said generally central portion thereof to protect a plant protruding through said opening.