Coal ash as soil amendment to enhance water balance, growth, and harvesting of turfgrasses

• US 6,287,358 B1
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Domy Adriano, Mason, Jack
• Original Assignee: Domy Adriano, Mason, Jack
• Inventors: Mason, Jack, Adriano, Domy
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Steven P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEDINA SANABRIA, MARIBEL
• Application Number:
  US09/209,452
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 71/62, 719/03, 264/DIG.49, 106/DIG.1, 106/900, 47/58, 47D/IG.10
• US Class Current: 71/62
• CPC Class Codes: C05D 9/00 Other inorganic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/90 Fuzzy logic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 71/903 Soil conditioner

Abstract

A method of growing turfgrass wherein a relatively large amount of precipitator coal fly ash is applied to an existing soil and a turfgrass is established thereon. The coal fly ash is weathered before or after application to the existing soil. A field employing a treated soil layer is also provided having improved soil characteristics which are particularly beneficial in the growth, harvest, and shelf life of turfgrasses.

Claims

1. A method of growing turfgrass, comprising:

applying precipitator coal fly ash to an existing sandy or clayey soil in an amount of at least about 280 Mg ha<sup>−

1</sup>;

mixing the applied coal fly ash into the existing soil to a depth of at least about 8 inches to prepare a mixed soil; and

establishing a turfgrass on the mixed soil, wherein the coal fly ash is weathered prior to establishing said turfgass so that an amount of boron has decreased below about 2 mg per kg coal fly ash, and a level of salinity has decreased below about 1.5 deciSiemens per meter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixed soil is allowed to weather prior to establishing the turfgrass.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the coal-fly ash has been weathered prior to the mixing step.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the mixed soil is weathered for at least about 4 to 5 months prior to establishing the turfgrass.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the coal fly ash is weathered for at least about 5 to 6 months.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the coal fly ash is applied to the existing soil in an amount from about 280 Mg ha⁻

1 to about 1120 Mg ha<sup>−

1</sup>.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of harvesting sod containing the turfgrass after establishment of said turfgrass.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of establishing another turfgrass on the mixed soil after harvesting said sod.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the turfgrass is centipedegrass.