System and method of soil distribution, such as a soil blend, capable of being blown into place

Abstract

A soil distribution system, and particularly a method of blowing topsoil, using an improved topsoil blend and specialized equipment, onto selected surfaces, including sloped surfaces. The topsoil blend may be placed either via traditional or selected placement means including placement by blowing the mixture into place. The topsoil blend may be blown through a manipulatable distribution line onto the surface, including areas which may be substantially inaccessible. A selected aerobic compost tea may be combined with the soil distribution operations such that the tea is distributed and intermixed with the soil as the soil is blown into place. Greensand may be distributed over the surface prior to blowing the soil in place and the soil is then distributed over the layer of greensand.

1 . A soil distribution system adapted for blowing a soil mixture onto selected places on flat or sloped surfaces, comprising: 
 a topsoil pump having first and second ends;    a mixing hopper connected to the pump at the first end;    a first topsoil hose having a distribution end and a soil intake end, the first topsoil hose being connected to the second end of the pump via the soil intake end;    a tank for holding a liquid soil mixture additive, the tank having an outlet portal;    a second liquid additive hose having a discharge end and a liquid intake end, the second liquid additive hose being connected to the outlet portal of the tank via the liquid intake end;    wherein the distribution end of the first topsoil hose and the discharge end of the second liquid additive hose are in operational relationship with each other such that when the soil distribution system is in operation, the soil mixture and the liquid additive are capable of intermixing during the blowing of the soil mixture.    
     
     
         2 . The soil distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable nozzle connected to the discharge end of the second liquid additive hose, the nozzle being adapted to control the intermixing of the soil mixture and the liquid additive during the blowing of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         3 . The soil distribution system of  claim 2 , further comprising a conveyor belt delivery system adapted to deliver the soil mixture to the mixing hopper.  
     
     
         4 . The soil distribution system of  claim 3  wherein the pump is a gunite pump.  
     
     
         5 . The soil distribution system of  claim 4  wherein the hopper includes a rotatable agitator adapted to prevent clogging of the mixing hopper when the soil distribution system is in operation.  
     
     
         6 . The soil distribution system of  claim 5  wherein the mixing hopper has walls defined by a frusto conical shape, and includes a centrifugal core mounting lug defining a rotating axis, and wherein the agitator comprises: 
 a mounting base releaseably engagable to the mounting lug in the mixing hopper the mounting base laterally oriented with respect to the rotating axis;  
 at lease one support arm coupled to the mounting base;  
 at least two mixing arms having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mixing arms coupled to the at least one support arm, the second end spaced apart from the second end of an adjacent mixing arm, the mixing arm extending vertically oriented with respect to the rotating axis and substantially aligned with the walls of the mixing hopper.  
 
     
     
         7 . The soil distribution system of  claim 6  wherein the agitator further comprises: 
 at least two support arms; and  
 at least one interconnecting brace member having a first and a second end, the interconnecting brace extending laterally oriented with respect to the rotating base, the first end of the brace member coupled to the first support arm and the second end coupled to the second support arm wherein the brace member provides structural rigidity to the agitator.  
 
     
     
         8 . A method for blowing a soil mixture onto selected places on flat or sloped surfaces, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the soil distribution system of  claim 1;     blowing the soil mixture onto the selected places on the flat or sloped surfaces.    
     
     
         9 . A soil mixture adapted for use with a soil distribution system that is capable of blowing the soil mixture onto selected places associated with flat or sloped surfaces, comprising: 
 an organic fertilizer component that consists essentially of plant residues and a first animal excrement component, wherein the amount of the organic fertilizer component ranges from about 1 to 3 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    a feathermeal component that consists essentially of ground poultry feathers, wherein the amount of the feathermeal component ranges from about 4 to 8 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    an aggregate component that includes gravel, wherein the amount of the aggregate component ranges from about 1200 to 1600 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    a composted organic material component that consists essentially of sawdust and a second animal excrement component, wherein the composted organic material component includes a plurality of discrete particles with each of the plurality of particles having a length of less than ⅝ of an inch, and wherein the amount of the composted organic material component ranges from about 200 to 700 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    an organic waste component that is at least about 35% humic acid by weight, wherein the amount of the organic waste component ranges from about 20 to 30 pounds of the soil mixture;    a kelp meal component that consists essentially of ground kelp, wherein the amount of the kelp meal component ranges from about 2 to 4 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    a peat moss component in an amount that ranges from about 18 to 25 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    a ground or granular rock phosphate component in an amount that ranges from about 0.5 to 3 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture;    a sand component in an amount that ranges from about 100 to 700 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture; and    a sawdust component in an amount ranging from about 155 to 300 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture.    
     
     
         10 . The soil mixture of  claim 9  wherein the organic fertilizer component has a NPK rating of about 6-4-4.  
     
     
         11 . The soil mixture of  claim 9  wherein the feathermeal component has a NPK rating of about 12-1-0.  
     
     
         12 . The soil mixture of  claim 9  wherein the sand component is greensand.  
     
     
         13 . The soil mixture of  claim 9  wherein the first and second animal excrements are the same or different.  
     
     
         14 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising a bloodmeal component in an amount that ranges up to about 3 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         15 . The soil mixture of  claim 14 , wherein the blood meal component has a NPK rating of about 13-1-0.  
     
     
         16 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising a diatomaceous earth component in an amount ranging up to about 500 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         17 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising a corn gluten component in an amount ranging up to about 8 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         18 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of mycorrihiza spores.  
     
     
         19 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising lime in an amount ranging up to about 3 pounds per cubic yard of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         20 . The soil mixture of  claim 9 , further comprising an aerobic compost tea in an amount ranging up to about 5 gallons per cubic yard of the soil mixture.  
     
     
         21 . An agitator adapted for use in a mixing hopper having walls defined by a frusto conical shape, and a centrifugal core mounting lug defining a rotating axis, the agitator comprising: 
 a mounting base releaseably engagable to the mounting lug in the mixing hopper the mounting base laterally oriented with respect to the rotating axis;    at lease one support arm coupled to the mounting base;    at least two mixing arms having a first end and a second end, the first end of the mixing arms coupled to the at least one support arm, the second end spaced apart from the second end of an adjacent mixing arm, the mixing arm extending vertically oriented with respect to the rotating axis and substantially aligned with the walls of the mixing hopper.    
     
     
         22 . The agitator of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least two support arms; and  
 at least one interconnecting brace member having a first and a second end, the interconnecting brace extending laterally oriented with respect to the rotating base, the first end of the brace member coupled to the first support arm and the second end coupled to the second support arm wherein the brace member provides structural rigidity to the agitator.