TECHNIQUE FOR LOOSENING, AERATING AND FERTILIZING SOIL AROUND PLANT ROOTS

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA hand-held apparatus is connected by means of an airhose to a high pressure compressor and air tank unit, and isconnected by means of a hose to a conventional water faucet. Thedevice includes a bin for storing granular fertilizer and an airvalve connecting the high pressure air supply into a rigid outertube that is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the ground.Four holes are provided in the wall of the outer tube near thebottom thereof. A plug in the bottom of the outer tube has aconical upper surface that deflects compressed air sideways outof the four holes to create small crevices in the ground at thelevel of the four holes. An operator stands on a horizontalground plate attached to the outer tube to seal the hole, andopens the air valve to force high pressure air into the pre-drilled hole. The compressed air rapidly lifts up the apparatusand the operator standing thereon. As the compressed air thenescapes, the apparatus and person standing on the ground platefalls back to reseal the hole, producing an effective repetitivehammering action that causes the compressed air to moreeffectively loosen the soil. The fertilizer in the bin then isreleased into the outer tube. The high pressure air valve is re-opened. The high pressure air forces the granular fertilizer outthrough the four holes and into the previously created crevices.Pressurized water then is conducted through a water valve to aninner tube concentric with the outer tube, forcing the water intothe crevices, dissolving the fertilizer.