No abstract

The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of pine bark, fresh grass and peat mulch on the ornamental value of Petunia × atkinsiana, Impatiens walleriana and Tagetes patula cultivars during the short growing period, and soil chemical properties (electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and soil moisture in the second year in a temperate climate. Results show that fresh grass and peat mulch increased plant height of Petunia and Impatiens from 40 days after planting until the end of experiment. During the same period plant diameter of Impatiens and Tagetes was enhanced in all studied mulches, but plant diameter of Petunia was enlarged only with peat mulch. Impatiens number of flowers enhanced in all mulches, but in case of Tagetes the number was higher with pine bark. In comparison with unmulched treatment, soil moisture, electrical conductivity and pH increased in fresh grass and pine bark treatments. Soil Mg content was higher up to 15% in plots with fresh grass mulch. Plant diameter of all species was positively correlated with soil electrical conductivity.

A modern, environmentally friendly urban lifestyle requires paying attention to landscaping and green areas. The scarcity of free land in cities and the high price of land require the combination of greenery with buildings—both vertically and horizontally. The developed green technology for construction brings together computer numerical control (CNC) processing of supporting structures and prefabricated solid planting blocks made of concrete composite. The timber structures are fixed together using traditional carpentry joints. The details, which will be manufactured in the factory using CNC processing at a controlled temperature and humidity corresponding to indoor conditions, can be easily assembled on the construction site. The high bending strength but good elasticity and connections of carpentry joints endow the structure with good properties in a non-controllable environment. By combining CNC-processed wooden structures with concrete technology as substrate composites, labor-intensive manual work in landscaping and gardening will be reduced in the future. The novel material-hardening substrate composite material uses only the residues as the raw materials.