Mulch and method of manufacturing mulch

Abstract

A mulch for use in association with the germination of seed comprising paper particles and corn particles. The paper and corn particles are intimately mixed into a substantially uniform mulch. The mulch may be compressed into a pellet form. Additionally, the invention includes a method of manufacturing the mulch.

1 . A mulch for use in association with the germination of seed comprising: 
 paper particles; and    corn particles;    wherein the paper and corn particles are intimately mixed into a substantially uniform mulch.    
     
     
         2 . The mulch product of  claim 1  further comprising a tackifier/binder.  
     
     
         3 . The mulch product of  claim 2  wherein the tackifier/binder comprises one of the group consisting of: guar gum, plantego gum, vegetable gums, starches and water-swellable polymers.  
     
     
         4 . The mulch product of  claim 2  wherein the tackifier content is between 0 and 3% by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The mulch product of  claim 1  further comprising a surfactant.  
     
     
         6 . The mulch product of  claim 5  wherein the surfactant is selected from one of the group consisting of: anionic, cationic and non-ionic.  
     
     
         7 . The mulch product of  claim 5  wherein the surfactant content is between 0 and 0.5% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . The mulch product of  claim 1  wherein the paper particles comprise shredded paper.  
     
     
         9 . The mulch product of  claim 8  wherein the paper particles comprise one of the group consisting of: paperboard, cardboard, newspaper and recycled paper.  
     
     
         10 . The mulch product of  claim 1  wherein the paper content ranges between 15 and 95% by weight.  
     
     
         11 . The mulch product of  claim 1  wherein the corn particles comprise at least one of corn stalks and corn husks.  
     
     
         12 . The mulch product of  claim 1  further comprising a dye.  
     
     
         13 . The mulch product of  claim 12  wherein the dye consists of one of the following colors: pink, green, blue-green, red, purple, yellow and combinations of the foregoing.  
     
     
         14 . A pelleted mulch product comprising: 
 paper particles; and    corn mulch particles,    wherein the paper particles and corn particles are mixed and pelleted.    
     
     
         15 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the pellets generally comprise 15 to 98% by weight paper particles.  
     
     
         16 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the pellets generally comprise 2 to 85% by weight corn particles.  
     
     
         17 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the pellets generally include a length of about ⅛ to ½ inches.  
     
     
         18 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the pellets generally include a circular cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the pellets further comprise a tackifier/binder.  
     
     
         20 . The mulch product of  claim 19  wherein the tackifier/binder comprises about 0 to 3% by weight of the mulch.  
     
     
         21 . The mulch product of  claim 14  further comprising a surfactant.  
     
     
         22 . The mulch product of  claim 14  wherein the surfactant comprises about 0 to 0.5% by weight of the mulch.  
     
     
         23 . A method for manufacturing a mulch product comprising the steps of: 
 providing paper particles;    providing corn particles; and    mixing the paper and corn mulch particles.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the steps of: 
 pelletizing the mixed paper and corn particles.  
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of mixing a tacifier with at least one of the paper particles and the corn particles.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of mixing a surfactant with at least one of the paper particles and the corn particles.