Apparatus, method, and system for improved turf or grass growth

Abstract

Grass and/or turf growth is impacted by a number of factors both above ground and below ground. For example, soil temperature, nutrient levels, water levels, oxygen, humidity, above ground temperature, wind, and light. With respect to just light, there are a host of factors which can impact everything from root depth to disease resistance of grass/turf. While sunlight and artificial light can produce swards which are suitable for initial use, shade and/or damage can negatively impact portions of grass/turf for which there are no commercially available solutions. Described herein are a method and apparatuses for addressing turf growth and/or repair, and in a manner that minimizes downtime.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of growing grass/turf of varying types comprising:
 determining lighting needs of a sward;   measuring or otherwise determining an existing DLI and spectrum of light delivered to the sward; and   delivering supplemental lighting to at least a portion of the sward dependent, at least in part, on determining the lighting needs of the sward and measuring or otherwise determining the existing DLI and spectrum of light delivered to the sward.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental lighting is designed to promote growth of at least one grass type of the sward. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining lighting needs of a sward comprises: determining if there is damage to a portion of the sward. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining lighting needs of a sward comprises: determining if there is shade on a portion of the sward. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of determining if there is shade on the portion of the sward further comprises: determining a wavelength of light absorbed or reflected by a construct producing the shade. 
     
     
         6 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the step of measuring or otherwise determining an existing DLI and spectrum of light to the sward includes measuring DLI over several periods of time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering supplemental lighting includes delivering light that is high in intensity in a red versus blue ratio. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering supplemental lighting includes delivering light that is high in intensity in a blude versus red ratio. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reseeding if the sward is damaged. 
     
     
         11 . A grow light system comprising:
 a pole;   a sports lighting fixture having a CRI value ranging from 75 to 90 and a color temperature ranging from 5700 K to 4500 K attached to the pole; and   a growth-enhancing lighting fixture attached to the pole having at least 100 LEDs delivering 100 micromoles/m 2 /s.   
     
     
         12 . The grow light system of  claim 11 , wherein the growth enhancing lighting fixture is attached to the pole underneath the sports lighting fixture. 
     
     
         13 . The grow light system of  claim 12 , wherein growth enhancing lighting fixture is at a distance above a ground surface that is less than or equal to 60 feet. 
     
     
         14 . The grow light system of  claim 11 , wherein the growth enhancing lighting fixture delivers a full width half maximum value of 8° to 15°. 
     
     
         15 . A mobile grow light system comprising:
 a vehicle system; and   a grow light fixture attached to the vehicle system.   
     
     
         16 . The mobile grow light system of  claim 15 , further comprising a carbon dioxide delivery system attached to the vehicle system. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile grow light system of  claim 16 , wherein the carbon dioxide delivery system comprising at least one of the following:
 a canister or other container of carbon dioxide;   a transparent shroud; and   means of delivering carbon dioxide from the canister to a space enclosed or otherwise defined by said shroud.   
     
     
         18 . The mobile grow light system of  claim 15 , wherein the grow light fixture is vertically adjustable relative to a turf. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile grow light system of  claim 15 , wherein the carbon dioxide delivery system includes a shroud that surrounds the grow light fixture. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile grow light system of  claim 19 , wherein the shroud and the grow light fixture are movable.