Paper mulch granule with fertilizer for improved seed establishment
A homogenous granular paper mulch including fertilizer (with the fertilizer composed of natural and/or conventional synthetic ingredients). The mulch is a granular solid composed of recycled paper, fertilizer, and water. The granular product is easy to handle and apply and provides an improved environment for germinating seed.
1 . A method for preparing a granular mulch comprising:
comminuting paper;
mixing said comminuting paper with water to form a pulp;
blending in fertilizer with said pulp;
extruding said pulp through a die orifice to form an extrudate;
chopping said extrudate to a length of less than ¼ inch to form extruded granules;
treating said granules with a crumbling equipment to partially shred said granules to produce irregular and rough edges to prevent seed separation; and
drying said granules to a final moisture content of between 6% to 13% by weight.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said granular mulch comprises recycled paper granule with pelletized natural fertilizer, where said fertilizer added is a homogeneous pelletized or granulated product.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein said fertilizer comprises dairy manure digestate and limestone blend, feather meal, gypsum, bentonite clay, zeolite, sulfate of potash, and guar gum.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein resulting product has a bulk density of about 13.5 pounds per cubic foot.
5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a green pigment or dye to said granule to make it stand out after application on bare soil, or blend into turf when applied to bare spots in lawns.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein said granular mulch comprises a recycled paper granule enhanced with pelletized natural fertilizer comprised of dehydrated dairy manure, dehydrated poultry manure, and feather meal and sufficient binding material for ensuring pelletization.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein said fertilizer granule is added to said paper and water slurry before extrusion.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein irregular nature of said granular product ensures that when it is combined with seed in a bagged or containerized product, said seed does not segregate or separate from said mulch.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein when said mulch granule is blended with fertilizer, said fertilizer does not migrate and separate in said bag.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein homogeneous nature of said granule ensures fertilizer is retained where it is needed to fuel plant growth, and nutrients are held and released in close proximity to germinating seed.