JP7523374B2 - How to grow grass - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a method for growing grass.

Known methods for creating lawns include the sowing method, in which grass seeds are scattered; the turf laying method, in which square-cut lawns are laid; the spreading method, in which grass stolon is spread and pressed onto the ground (e.g., Patent Document 1); and the pot lawn seedling method, in which pot lawn seedlings are planted in a grid pattern and the grass grows to fill in the spaces between the pot lawn seedlings, turning the entire surface into lawn (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1). The pot lawn seedling method involves planting pot lawn seedlings at intervals and is easy to plant, even for non-professionals, so it can reduce material and construction costs compared to the turf laying method, in which the entire surface is turned into lawn immediately after construction.

JP 2000-125611 A

TKK Corporation, "Tifton Grass Pot Seedlings", September 17, 2010, [Retrieved December 7, 2020], Internet <URL: http://www.dkk-jp.com/tifton.htm, URL: https://youtu.be/cPQxXiFzS-o>

The pot grass seedling method takes about three months from planting the pot grass seedlings until the spaces between the pot grass seedlings are filled in and the entire area is covered in grass. For this reason, it cannot be applied to places where you want to quickly turn the area into a lawn, so the places where it can be used are limited.

This disclosure was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a lawn cultivation method that can shorten the time it takes to complete the cultivation of grass using potted grass seedlings.

To achieve the above objective, one embodiment of the turfgrass growing method disclosed herein includes a mowing process for mowing turfgrass, in which grass seedlings are planted at predetermined intervals, at a predetermined mowing height, and a pressing process for pressing the stolon of the turfgrass against the ground.

A preferred embodiment of the turf growing method includes a setting step for setting the position and order in which the stolon is pressed during the pressing step.

In a preferred embodiment of the lawn growing method, the setting step sets the position and order in which the stolon is pressed based on the position and spacing at which the grass seedlings are planted.

In a preferred embodiment of the turf growing method, in the setting step, the position at which the stolon is pressed is set based on the internode length of the stolon.

A preferred embodiment of the lawn cultivation method includes an imaging step of imaging the lawn grass, and in the setting step, the position and order of pressing the stolons are set based on the state of the stolons of the lawn grass imaged in the imaging step.

In a preferred embodiment of the lawn growing method, the lawn mowing process is carried out by a lawnmower having a blade for cutting the grass and one or more wheels.

In a preferred embodiment of the lawn growing method, the pressing step is performed by the wheels of the lawnmower.

In a preferred embodiment of the lawn growing method, the wheels have protrusions that protrude radially outward from the circumferential surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the turfgrass growing method, the predetermined spacing is between 5 and 15 times the horizontal width of the bed soil into which the grass seedlings are transplanted.

This disclosure makes it possible to shorten the time it takes to complete the cultivation of potted grass seedlings.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the lawn growing method of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a planting step according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lawn mowing process of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pressing step of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the lawnmower that performs the lawnmowing process and the pressing process of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the lawn growing method of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the lawn growing method of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting process of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the setting process of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the lawn growing method of the fourth embodiment.

The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the description of the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments described below can be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In the following embodiments, the components necessary to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, and other components will be omitted.

First Embodiment
The lawn growing method of the first embodiment includes a pot lawn seedling method in which the areas between pot lawn seedlings planted at intervals are filled by the growth of the lawn grass to turn the entire surface into lawn. In the first embodiment, the lawn grass is a variety having stolons. The lawn grass of the first embodiment is a variety including above-ground stolons and below-ground stolons, or a variety including below-ground stolons. The above-ground stolons are stolons that grow horizontally above ground. The below-ground stolons are stolons that grow horizontally underground near the ground. The lawn grass includes, for example, Bermuda grass species that propagate by stolons, such as Tifton 419. The Bermuda grass species includes above-ground stolons and below-ground stolons.

Figure 1 is a flow chart showing the first embodiment of the grass growing method. The first embodiment of the grass growing method includes a planting step S11, a mowing step S12, a pressing step S13, and a determination step S14.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a schematic example of the planting step S11 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the planting step S11 is a step of planting potted grass seedlings 2 of turfgrass 1 on the ground G of the field to be turned into a lawn. The potted grass seedlings 2 include bed soil 3 and grass seedlings 4. The bed soil 3 is soil that was contained in a container (pot) when the turfgrass 1 was grown from grass seeds to the grass seedlings 4. The bed soil 3 preferably has the same or similar composition as the field to which the potted grass seedlings 2 are transplanted. The grass seedlings 4 represent the turfgrass 1 in a state in which the grass seeds sown in the bed soil 3 contained in a container have germinated.

In the planting step S11, a plurality of potted grass seedlings 2 are planted at a predetermined interval I in a grid pattern when viewed from above. The potted grass seedlings 2 are preferably planted so that the top end of the bed soil 3 is at the same height as the ground G or underground (see, for example, Figures 3 and 4). It is preferable that at least four potted grass seedlings 2 are planted per 1 ^m2 . In other words, the interval I is preferably 50 cm or less.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the interval I is set according to the horizontal width of the pot grass seedlings 2 at the time of transplanting. In other words, if the interval I is narrow, the number of pot grass seedlings 2 used will increase, resulting in higher costs. On the other hand, if the interval I is too wide, it will take too long to turn the pot grass seedlings into a lawn. The interval I is, for example, 5 to 15 times, and preferably 7 to 13 times, the horizontal width of the bed soil 3 of the pot grass seedlings 2. For example, if the bed soil 3 is 5 cm wide, the interval I should be set to 30 cm to 70 cm, allowing the pot grass to be turned into a lawn in approximately 3 months.

Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the mowing process S12 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the mowing process S12 is a process of mowing the grass 1 at a predetermined mowing height H. When the grass 1 grows upward, the productivity by photosynthesis is greater in the upwardly growing portion than in the vicinity of the base. If the grass 1 grows excessively, the vicinity of the base will become aged, and if the grass is mowed after it has grown excessively, the aged portion with low productivity will remain. Therefore, by frequently mowing the grass 1, the upward growth can be suppressed while leaving the highly productive portion, and nutrients can be distributed to the stolon 5 that grows laterally, promoting lateral growth.

In addition, when the grass 1 is a variety that includes above-ground stolons and below-ground stolons, such as Tifton 419, the stolons 5 that extend horizontally above ground tend to rise above the ground G. Therefore, in the mowing process S12, it is preferable that the mowing height H is higher than the height at which the stolons 5 that have risen above the ground G are mowed, and lower than the height at which the aging of the area near the base of the grass 1 can be suppressed by mowing. The mowing height H is, for example, 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less, preferably 40 mm or more and 50 mm or less. In addition, if the grass 1 has grown longer than 100 mm, it is preferable to set the mowing height H to 50 mm or more and 100 mm or less. In addition, the mowing process S12 is repeatedly performed together with the pressing process S13 described below before the grass 1 grows excessively upward. The lawn mowing process S12 is carried out, for example, at least once and no more than seven times per week.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the pressing step S13 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the pressing step S13 is a step of pressing the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 against the ground G. The pressing step S13 is carried out simultaneously with or immediately after the mowing step S12. The stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 has roots 7 at each of the nodes 6. The turfgrass 1 absorbs nutrients from the ground G through the roots 7 of the attached nodes 6 by the roots 7 of the nodes 6 of the stolon 5 being attached to the ground G, and thus growth is promoted with the attached nodes 6 as a base. That is, in the pressing step S13, the stolon 5 that has risen above the ground G is pressed against the ground G to promote the attachment of the roots 7 of the nodes 6 to the ground G. In addition, in the pressing step S13, it is preferable to press the stolon 5 against the ground G so that the node 6 of the stolon 5 is pressed into the ground G. Alternatively, in the pressing step S13, it is preferable to press the stolon 5 against the ground G so that a part of the node 6 of the stolon 5 is pressed into the ground G.

In the determination step S14 shown in FIG. 1, it is determined whether or not the transformation of the ground G into a lawn using the turfgrass 1 has been completed. If the transformation into a lawn is completed (determination step S14; Yes), the series of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 is terminated. If the transformation into a lawn is not completed (determination step S14; No), the process returns to the mowing step S12 after a predetermined period of time, and the mowing step S12 and pressing step S13 are repeatedly performed until the transformation into a lawn is completed. The predetermined period is set according to the frequency of the mowing step S12 described above. The predetermined period is not fixed, but is set appropriately according to the time elapsed since the planting step S11, the growth state of the turfgrass 1, and the environment such as the weather and temperature.

Figure 5 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a lawnmower 100 that performs the mowing process S12 and the pushing process S13 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the lawnmower 100 of the first embodiment is assumed to be an autonomous or remote-controlled small vehicle, but this disclosure is not limited to this and may be a vehicle that requires an operator or a human-powered vehicle such as a handcart. The lawnmower 100 of the first embodiment has a main body unit 110, a pair of wheels 120, a cutting blade unit 130, a rotating unit 140, and a pair of wheels 150.

The main body 110 is disposed on the front side of the lawnmower 100. The main body 110 is provided with a swivel mechanism 111, wheels 120, and a cutting blade 130. The main body 110 is equipped with, for example, the rotational drive sources of the wheels 120, the cutting blade 130, the swivel 140, and the wheels 150, a power source for the lawnmower 100, a control device that controls the power source, a communication device capable of communicating with a controller that remotely operates the lawnmower 100, or a fuel source. The fuel source may include, for example, a battery, a gasoline tank, a cassette-type gas cylinder, etc.

The main body 110 is connected to the swivel unit 140 provided at the rear via a swivel mechanism 111. The swivel mechanism 111 rotates the swivel unit 140 around a vertical axis relative to the main body 110. The swivel mechanism 111 is driven, for example, by a power source provided in the main body 110. The swivel mechanism 111 is controlled, for example, by a control device provided in the main body 110.

The wheels 120 are the front wheels of the lawnmower 100. The wheels 120 are arranged on the left and right sides of the main body 110. The wheels 120 rotate about an axis that is horizontal to the main body 110. The wheels 120 are driven, for example, by a power source provided in the main body 110. The wheels 120 are controlled, for example, by a control device provided in the main body 110.

The wheel 120 has a protrusion 121 that protrudes radially outward from the circumferential surface. In the first embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 121 are provided evenly around the entire circumference of the wheel 120. It is preferable that the protrusions 121 have a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis of the wheel 120 tapers toward the radial outside of the wheel 120.

In the first embodiment, the cutting blade unit 130 has a disk shape with its axis parallel to the vertical direction. The cutting blade unit 130 is provided at the bottom of the main body unit 110 so as to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the main body unit 110. The cutting blade unit 130 is driven, for example, by a power source provided in the main body unit 110. The cutting blade unit 130 is controlled, for example, by a control device provided in the main body unit 110.

The cutting blade unit 130 has a cutting blade on its periphery. The cutting blade has a vertical height from the ground G that is the same as the cutting height H in the mowing process S12. The cutting blade unit 130 rotates about a vertical axis, causing the cutting blade to cut the grass 1 at the cutting height H. The cutting blade is made of a material that includes at least one of metal and nylon. The shape of the cutting blade is not limited to that of the first embodiment, and may include at least one of a reel, a rotary, a tipped saw, a razor blade, and a cord shape, for example.

The swivel unit 140 is disposed rearward relative to the main body unit 110. The swivel unit 140 is connected to the main body unit 110 via a swivel mechanism 111. The swivel unit 140 swivels around a vertical axis relative to the main body unit 110 by the swivel mechanism 111.

The wheels 150 are rear wheels of the lawnmower 100. The wheels 150 are arranged on the left and right of the swivel unit 140. The wheels 150 rotate around an axis that is horizontal to the swivel unit 140. The wheels 150 are driven, for example, by a power source provided in the main body unit 110. The wheels 150 are controlled, for example, by a control device provided in the main body unit 110. The lawnmower 100 rotates left and right when the swivel unit 140 rotates around a vertical axis relative to the main body unit 110 using the swivel mechanism 111.

The wheel 150 has a protrusion 151 that protrudes radially outward from the circumferential surface. In the first embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 151 are provided evenly around the entire circumference of the wheel 150. It is preferable that the protrusions 151 have a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis of the wheel 150 tapers toward the radial outside of the wheel 150.

In the mowing step S12 of the first embodiment, the lawnmower 100 runs over the ground G of the field to be turned into a lawn, and cuts the grass 1 at a mowing height H with the cutting blade 130. In addition, in the pressing step S13 of the first embodiment, the lawnmower 100 runs over the ground G of the field to be turned into a lawn, and the wheels 120, 150 step on the stolon 5 of the grass 1 and press it against the ground G. At this time, the protrusions 121, 151 of the wheels 120, 150 push the stolon 5 into the ground, which promotes the attachment of the roots 7 of the nodes 6 to the ground G.

As described above, the first embodiment of the lawn cultivation method includes a lawn mowing process S12 in which the lawn grass 1, in which the grass seedlings 4 are planted at a predetermined interval I, is mowed at a predetermined mowing height H, and a pressing process S13 in which the stolon 5 of the lawn grass 1 is pressed against the ground G.

The first embodiment of the turfgrass growing method cuts the turfgrass 1 at a predetermined cutting height H, thereby suppressing vertical growth and encouraging the use of nutrients obtained from the ground G or through photosynthesis for lateral growth. In addition, pressing the stolon 5 against the ground G encourages the roots 7 that sprout from the nodes 6 of the stolon 5 to take root. Since the roots 7 of the stolon 5 can absorb moisture and nutrients from the ground G through the roots 7 at the part where they have taken root, the lateral growth of the turfgrass 1 can be further promoted.

This shortens the time from planting the potted grass seedlings 2 to completing the grassing process, making it possible to grow grass using potted grass seedlings 2 in places where it is difficult to set aside the three-month period required for grassing.

In the first embodiment of the lawn cultivation method, the lawn mowing step S12 is performed by a lawnmower 100 having a cutting blade (cutting blade section 130) for cutting the lawn grass 1 and one or more wheels 120, 150. The lawnmower 100 moves by rolling the wheels 120, 150, so the height of the cutting blade section 130 from the ground G, i.e., the cutting height H, does not vary significantly. This allows the lawn grass 1 to be cut at a constant cutting height H, so that the lawn grass 1 can be cut at an appropriate cutting height H that is higher than the height at which the stolon 5 that has risen above the ground G is cut, but lower than the height at which the aging of the area near the base of the lawn grass 1 can be suppressed by cutting.

In addition, in the first embodiment of the grass growing method, the pressing step S13 is performed by the wheels 120, 150 of the lawnmower 100. This allows the grass mowing step S12 and the pressing step S13 to be performed simultaneously, reducing the number of construction steps required to create a lawn.

In addition, in the first embodiment of the lawn cultivation method, the wheels 120, 150 have protrusions 121, 151 that protrude radially outward from the circumferential surface. As a result, when the wheels 120, 150 step on the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 and press it against the ground G, the protrusions 121, 151 can push the stolon 5 into the ground, promoting the attachment of the roots 7 of the nodes 6 to the ground G.

In the first embodiment, the mowing step S12 is performed by a lawnmower 100 having wheels 120, 150, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be performed by, for example, a handheld lawnmower. In the first embodiment, the mowing step S12 and the pressing step S13 are performed by the same lawnmower 100, but the pressing step S13 may be performed by a separate tool.

In addition, in the first embodiment of the grass cultivation method, the specified interval I is between 5 and 15 times the horizontal width of the bed soil 3 to be transplanted together with the grass seedlings. If the interval I is narrow, the number of pot grass seedlings 2 used will increase, resulting in higher costs, while if the interval I is too wide, it will take too long to create a lawn. By setting the interval I as described above, it is possible to reduce costs while shortening the time it takes to complete the creation of a lawn.

Second Embodiment
6 is a flow chart showing the lawn growing method of the second embodiment. The lawn growing method of the second embodiment includes a planting step S21, a setting step S22, a mowing step S23, a pressing step S24, and a judging step S25. The planting step S21 and the mowing step S23 of the second embodiment are similar to the planting step S11 and the mowing step S12 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

The setting step S22 sets the positions and order in which the stolon 5 (see FIG. 4, etc.) are pressed in the pressing step S24. More specifically, in the setting step S22 of the third embodiment, the positions and order in which the stolon 5 are pressed are set based on the positions and intervals I (see FIG. 2) at which the grass seedlings 4 are planted. In the setting step S22, map data including the positions at which the pot grass seedlings 2 are planted in the field to be turned into a turf may be acquired in advance.

In the setting step S22, for example, the stolon 5 may be set to be pressed at a position a predetermined distance from the position where the pot grass seedling 2 was planted. In the setting step S22, for example, the stolon 5 may be set to be pressed in an order that gradually moves away from the position where the pot grass seedling 2 was planted. In the setting step S22, the stolon 5 may be set to be pressed at different positions and in different orders depending on the time that has elapsed since the planting step S21.

In the pressing step S24 of the second embodiment, the stolon 5 of the grass 1 is pressed against the ground G in the position and order set in the setting step S22. In the lawn cultivation method of the second embodiment, if the pressing step S24 is performed by a lawn mower 100 as shown in FIG. 5, the setting step S22 may set the travel path of the lawn mower 100. The setting step S22 may further set the position and order in which the grass 1 is to be cut in the mowing step S23.

In the determination step S25 of the second embodiment, similar to the determination step S14 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the transformation of the ground G into a lawn using the turfgrass 1 has been completed. If the transformation into a lawn is completed (determination step S25; Yes), the series of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is terminated. If the transformation into a lawn is not completed (determination step S25; No), the process returns to the mowing step S23 after a predetermined period of time, and the mowing step S23 and pressing step S24 are repeatedly performed until the transformation into a lawn is completed. The predetermined period is set according to the frequency of the mowing step S23 described above. The predetermined period is not fixed, but is set appropriately according to the time elapsed since the planting step S21, the growth state of the turfgrass 1, and the environment such as the weather and temperature.

As described above, the lawn cultivation method of the second embodiment includes a setting step S22 that sets the position and order in which the stolon 5 is pressed in the pressing step S24. This allows the pressing step S24 to be carried out efficiently, since the position and order in which the stolon 5 is pressed in the pressing step S24 are set in advance.

In addition, in the second embodiment of the lawn growing method, in the setting step S22, the positions and order in which the stolon 5 is pressed are set based on the positions and spacing I at which the grass seedlings 4 were planted. This allows the pressing step S24 to be carried out efficiently, as the positions and order in which the stolon 5 is pressed in the pressing step S24 are set in advance based on the positions and spacing I at which the grass seedlings 4 were planted.

Third Embodiment
7 is a flow chart showing the grass growing method of the third embodiment. The grass growing method of the third embodiment includes a planting step S31, a setting step S32, a mowing step S33, a pressing step S34, and a judging step S35. The planting step S31, the mowing step S33, and the judging step S35 of the third embodiment are similar to the planting step S21, the mowing step S23, and the judging step S25 of the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the setting step S32 of the third embodiment. Note that FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a histogram of the internode lengths between adjacent nodes 6 of a stolon 5. The setting step S32 of the third embodiment is a step of setting the position at which the stolon 5 is pressed in the pressing step S34 based on the internode lengths L1 and L2 of the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1.

As shown in Figure 8, roots 7 sprout from each of the nodes 6 of the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1. In the setting process S32, for example, a histogram of the internode lengths L1, L2 of the stolon 5 as shown in Figure 9 is obtained in advance based on the variety of the turfgrass 1. In the example shown in Figure 9, the histogram of the internode lengths L1, L2 of the stolon 5 is approximately a normal distribution.

In the setting step S32, for example, the node 6 of the stolon 5 may be estimated based on the position where the pot grass seedling 2 was planted and the average value of the internode lengths L1 and L2 of the stolon 5, and the position where the stolon 5 is pressed may be set based on the estimated position of the node 6. That is, for example, in the setting step S32, the stolon 5 at the estimated position of the node 6 may be set to be pressed in the pressing step S34. In the setting step S32, for example, the stolon 5 at the estimated position of the node 6 may be set to be pressed in the pressing step S34 in the order of proximity to the position where the pot grass seedling 2 was planted.

In the pressing step S34 of the third embodiment, the stolon 5 of the grass 1 is pressed against the ground G in the position and order set in the setting step S32. In the lawn cultivation method of the third embodiment, if the pressing step S34 is performed with a lawn mower 100 as shown in FIG. 5, the setting step S32 may set the travel path of the lawn mower 100. The setting step S32 may further set the position and order in which the grass 1 is to be cut in the mowing step S33.

As described above, in the third embodiment of the lawn cultivation method, in the setting step S32, the position at which the stolon 5 is pressed is set based on the internode lengths L1, L2 of the stolon 5. This allows the pressing step S24 to be carried out efficiently, as the position and order at which the stolon 5 is pressed in the pressing step S24 are set in advance based on the internode lengths L1, L2 of the stolon 5.

Fourth Embodiment
10 is a flow chart showing the grass growing method of the fourth embodiment. The grass growing method of the fourth embodiment includes a planting step S41, an imaging step S42, a setting step S43, a mowing step S44, a pressing step S45, and a determination step S46. The planting step S41 and the mowing step S44 of the fourth embodiment are similar to the planting step S11 and the mowing step S12 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

The imaging process S42 is a process of imaging the turfgrass 1. The imaging device that images the turfgrass 1 in the imaging process S42 may be an imaging device installed in the field to be turned into a lawn, or an imaging device mounted on a lawnmower 100 as shown in FIG. 5. In the imaging process S42, the state of the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 is imaged. The state of the stolon 5 includes, for example, a state in which the stolon 5 is raised, or a state in which the node 6 including the root 7 is not attached, etc.

The setting step S43 of the fourth embodiment is a step of setting the positions and order in which the stolons 5 are pressed in the pressing step S45 based on the state of the stolons 5 of the turfgrass 1 imaged in the imaging step S42. In the setting step S43, map data including the positions where the pot grass seedlings 2 are planted in the field to be turned into a turf may be acquired in advance. In the setting step S43, the image data captured in the imaging step S42 may be linked to the map data to set the positions and order in which the stolons 5 are pressed.

In the setting step S43, for example, when a stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 imaged in the imaging step S42 is detected to have risen above a predetermined height, the corresponding stolon 5 may be set to be pressed. In the setting step S43, for example, when a node 6 of the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 imaged in the imaging step S42 is detected to have risen above the ground G, the corresponding node 6 or the vicinity of the node 6 may be set to be pressed.

In the pressing step S45 of the fourth embodiment, the stolon 5 of the grass 1 is pressed against the ground G in the position and order set in the setting step S43. In the lawn cultivation method of the fourth embodiment, if the pressing step S45 is performed by a lawn mower 100 as shown in FIG. 5, the setting step S43 may set the travel path of the lawn mower 100. The setting step S43 may further set the position and order for cutting the grass 1 in the mowing step S44.

In the determination step S46 of the fourth embodiment, as in the determination step S14 of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the grassing of the ground G with the turfgrass 1 has been completed. If the grassing has been completed (determination step S46; Yes), the series of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is terminated. If the grassing has not been completed (determination step S46; No), the process returns to the imaging step S42 after a predetermined period of time, and the imaging step S42, setting step S43, mowing step S44, and pressing step S45 are repeatedly performed until the grassing is completed. The predetermined period of time may be set based on the frequency of the mowing step S44 described above, or may be set based on the state of the stolon 5 of the turfgrass 1 imaged by the imaging step S42. The predetermined period of time is not fixed, but is set appropriately depending on the time elapsed since the planting step S41, the growth state of the turfgrass 1, and the environment such as the weather and temperature.

The lawn growing method of the fourth embodiment may be carried out by an automated system including an imaging device, a computer, and an autonomously mobile lawnmower. The imaging device is installed in the field to be cultivated and carries out the imaging step S42 at a predetermined interval. The computer acquires the imaging data captured by the imaging device, detects the state of the stolon 5 from the imaging data, and carries out the setting step S43. The lawnmower automatically carries out the mowing step S44 and the pressing step S45 based on the settings made by the computer.

As described above, the fourth embodiment of the lawn cultivation method includes an imaging step S42 in which the lawn grass 1 is imaged, and in a setting step S43, the position and order for pressing the stolon 5 are set based on the state of the stolon 5 of the lawn grass 1 imaged in the imaging step S42. This allows the position and order for pressing the stolon 5 in the pressing step S24 to be set in advance based on the state of the stolon 5 of the lawn grass 1 imaged, i.e., the actual state of the stolon 5, so that the pressing step S24 can be carried out efficiently and the stolon 5 can be more suitably attached.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Grass 2 Potted grass seedling 3 Bed soil 4 Grass seedling 5 Stolon 6 Node 7 Root 100 Lawnmower 110 Main body 111 Swivel mechanism 120 Wheel 121 Projection 130 Cutting blade 140 Swivel 150 Wheel 151 Projection G Ground I Spacing H Cutting height L1, L2 Internode length S11, S21, S31, S41 Planting step S12, S23, S33, S44 Mowing step S13, S24, S34, S45 Pressing step S14, S25, S35, S46 Determination step S22, S32, S43 Setting step S42 Imaging step

Claims (7)

a mowing step of mowing the grass, in which grass seedlings are planted at predetermined intervals, at a predetermined mowing height;
A pressing step of pressing the stolon of the turfgrass against the ground;
A setting step of setting a position and an order in which the stolon is pressed in the pressing step;
A method for growing grass, comprising: In the setting step, the positions and sequence of pressing the stolons are set based on the positions and intervals at which the grass seedlings are planted.
2. The method of claim 1 . In the setting step, a position for pressing the stolon is set based on an internode length of the stolon.
3. A method for growing grass as claimed in claim 1 or 2 . An imaging step of imaging the turfgrass,
In the setting step, a position and a sequence for pressing the stolon are set based on the state of the stolon of the turfgrass imaged in the imaging step.
A method for growing grass according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The mowing step is carried out by a lawnmower having a cutting blade for cutting the grass and one or more wheels having a protrusion protruding radially outward from a circumferential surface thereof ;
The pressing step is performed by a wheel of the lawnmower.
A method for growing turfgrass according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . a mowing step of mowing the grass, in which grass seedlings are planted at predetermined intervals, at a predetermined mowing height;
A pressing step of pressing the stolon of the turfgrass against the ground;
Including ,
The mowing step is carried out by a lawnmower having a cutting blade for cutting the grass and one or more wheels having a protrusion protruding radially outward from a circumferential surface thereof;
The pressing step is performed by a wheel of the lawnmower.
How to grow grass. The predetermined interval is 5 to 15 times the horizontal width of the bed soil to be transplanted together with the grass seedlings.
A method for growing turfgrass according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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