Integrated ecosystem for simultaneous cultivation of soil biology and plants
View Patent ↗An integrated ecological system for simultaneous cultivation of soil biology and plants uses sub-irrigation wicking techniques, aeration tubes, and a compost substrate to optimize soil health, plant growth, and water efficiency. The system combines a pipe or network of subirrigation pipes with a water regulation assembly, aeration tubes, and compost substrate, supporting an aerated static pile composting process that enhances biodiverse soil microbiology. Grow bags positioned within the composting zone and adjacent in-ground planting zones enable concurrent plant and soil biology development, fostering a dynamic soil food web that supports native species, crop productivity, and restoration vegetation. This design promotes natural nutrient cycling, conserves water, and supports ecosystem resilience, making it adaptable for applications in sustainable agriculture, landscape restoration, and ecological rewilding.
1 . A method for cultivating compost, comprising:
arranging an ecosystem including composting zones and plant root zones around a subirrigation system; and
using a wicking system for irrigation of the composting zones and simultaneous plant cultivation, wherein:
the subirrigation system includes one or more subirrigation pipes configured to receive water from a water supply line, the one or more subirrigation pipes further including access holes enabling passive transfer of water in the subirrigation pipes via the wicking system,
a float valve tank assembly is coupled between the water supply line and a primary pipe in the subirrigation system, the float valve tank assembly configured to maintain a consistent water level in the one or more subirrigation pipes,
the wicking system comprising wicking material in contact with the water in the subirrigation pipes and configured to draw water through the access holes to provide consistent moisture to compost in the composting zones and plant root zones; and
aeration tubes comprising perforations are embedded within the composting zone and configured to maintain oxygen flow for aerating the composting zones,
wherein the wicking material comprises potting material, the potting material being a soil mix contained within growbags that support plants,
wherein the growbags are supported atop a perforated tray, the perforated tray being situated atop an access hole in the one or more subirrigation pipes and including a central aperture through which a meshed cup filled with the potting material extends into the water in the subirrigation pipe.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the access holes are linearly arranged along a top surface of the one or more subirrigation pipes.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the water source is a pressure line, or low pressure gravity source.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more subirrigation pipes are embedded within the compost.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the aeration tubes are configured to promote an aerated static pile composting process in the compost, which, in combination with the wicking system, supports microbial activity and soil health.
6 . The method of claim 1 , the wicking material further comprising wicking fabric.
7 . The method of claim 6 , the wicking fabric including a portion that dips into water in the subirrigation pipe, and an expanded portion that spreads over the composting zone.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further wherein one or more support component elevates and stabilizes the one or more subirrigation pipes, float valve assembly, and aeration tubes within the composting zone.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ecosystem includes different plants that form a guild relationship with one another and with the compost in the composting zones.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the different plants of the ecosystem comprise plants in growbags positioned over the access holes for drawing water from the subirrigation pipes.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising cultivating and harvesting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) within the grow bags and compost for broader inoculation of soil and plant roots.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the subirrigation system includes multiple pipes that are arranged to form a closed configuration around one or more of the different plants.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the subirrigation system includes pipes arranged in a straight row connected to the closed configuration of pipes.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more subirrigation pipes are embedded within the composting zones such that the composting zones are in direct contact with surrounding soil.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the growbags comprise a permeable fabric configured to permit moisture and biological exchange between the potting material and the composting zones.