Ever wonder how farmers manage to keep their crops so healthy looking, and the golf courses stay so green? The secret is in the soil. Before the seeds for crops or grass are planted, the ground is conditioned to encourage optimum growth. A combination of having all the nutrients they need and adequate watering is what allows the plants to thrive; but what if adequate watering is not permissible because of the hot summer months, or worse yet, drought conditions?
“ Since we can't always count on Mother Nature to provide the perfect amount of moisture for plants when needed, Zeba can provide the peace of mind and consistent performance gardeners and homeowners want in their quest for beautiful lawns, shrubs and h ”
Water restrictions were issued in hundreds of cities across the country last year due to a lack of rainfall, and early indications show 2005 could be as bad or even worse. Realizing the need for a long-term solution to our nation's water woes, the United States Department of Agriculture has been involved, for some years now, in research to find better ways to use the water we have. After years of positive trials, a possible solution has just received a U.S. patent.
Zeba is an all-natural starch-based soil amendment developed by Absorbent Technologies, Inc. (ATI), of Beaverton, Ore., that is capable of absorbing up to 400 times its weight in water, then releasing and reabsorbing the water repeatedly as needed by the plant like a sponge. With water readily available to the plant, stress is reduced and the plant is able to devote its energy to producing larger fruit, vegetables and blooms rather than simply staying alive. Plants often thrive with 25 percent less water and fewer waterings, while many nutrients and chemicals are absorbed and released on demand -- like the water -- making them more efficient.
Commercial farmers and nurseries were the first to use Zeba, but it is now available to consumers as well. Patti Sullivan of Portland, Ore., is one of the homeowners asked to test it out last year. She has a 2,000 square-foot-vegetable garden in her yard. "What a difference it made," she says. "I only had to water my garden one-third as much as in previous years, but the tomato plants took up twice as much room, I got triple the cucumbers as before and grew so many pumpkins I couldn't give them all away. Put simply, I put in less work, less water, and came out with at least twice the produce."
Vegetable gardens aren't the only consumer application for Zeba. It can also be added to the soil in potted plants and containers for a healthier environment; around the root structure to reduce the shock when transplanting; to the soil for greater survivability of new sod and as a liquid gel for root dipping. Zeba also improves aeration, critical to a healthy soil environment.
"Although lawn and garden enthusiasts are often willing to spend the time and resources to water their plants, simple barriers such as local watering restrictions, family vacations and busy work schedules make it difficult to stay on top of basic watering needs," says ATI's founder, Milan Savich. "Since we can't always count on Mother Nature to provide the perfect amount of moisture for plants when needed, Zeba can provide the peace of mind and consistent performance gardeners and homeowners want in their quest for beautiful lawns, shrubs and houseplants."
Once added to the soil, Zeba has proven to be effective for a year or more at a time. Once it has outlived its usefulness to the plant, it will breakdown and become a food source for nearby microorganisms, leaving the soil healthier than it was originally.
For more information about Zeba, or to purchase the product online, log on to www.zeba.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
