WO2001001760A2

WO2001001760A2 - Method for producing live fence units

Info

Publication number: WO2001001760A2
Application number: PCT/IL1999/000360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ofer Avidan; Zvi Rubinstein; Jacob Gil
Original assignee: Ofer Avidan; Zvi Rubinstein; Jacob Gil
Priority date: 1999-07-04
Filing date: 1999-07-04
Publication date: 2001-01-11
Also published as: AU4530699A; WO2001001760A3

Abstract

A method for producing a live fence involves providing a plurality of containers (32) containing a growing medium (34), each container being elongated in a first dimension delimited by ends of the container. Each container (32) is then planted with at least two plants (36) arrayed along the first dimension and plants (36) are cultivated to grow in an interlocked manner to form a ready-to-plant live fence unit. The live fence units are then planted end-to-end to form a continuous live fence. Also described are live fence units employing a single plant grown asymmetrically, and area coverings employing creeping plants.

Description

Method For Producing Live Fence Units

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fences and area coverings made from plants and, in particular, it concerns a methods for producing and employing ready-to- plant units to produce live fences and area coverings.

It is known to use hedges of various types of plants as fences or barriers. Hedges are generally considered more attractive than artificial fences, while functioning effectively as a barrier to people and large animals, and affording privacy from onlookers. In spite of these advantages, the use of hedges has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, a newly planted hedge may take a number of years to grow sufficiently to be effective as a barrier. During this period, an alternative barrier must be erected. This leads to additional expense, and frequently results in an unsightly interim arrangement. It is possible to produce a hedge more quickly by transplanting a number of previously grown plants into a row. Such a procedure is very labor intensive, and therefore expensive. Furthermore, extensive care is required subsequently to ensure that the plants grow into the shape of hedge required.

U.S. Patent No. 5,561,947 to Greenarch et al. discloses a V-shaped crate which is intended to facilitate transplanting of a number of plants growing in a row. This reduces the labor of the initial transplantation of plants to form a hedge. However, considerable labor is still required to dissemble all the crates used. Furthermore, the subsequent upkeep required to cultivate the hedge, as well as the time taken for it to grow to the required dimensions, is still a major deterrent to extensive use of hedging.

It is also known to use creeping plants as a covering or sight-barrier for fences, walls and rockeries. Since grown creeping plants are not readily detached from the structure to which they are attached, it is generally accepted that such coverings can only be achieved by planting seedlings and waiting long periods for them to grow to the required dimensions.

In the field of ornamental, and especially indoor, cut-flower, and outdoor plants, it is known to use chemical pruning agents to produce a more densely branched structure. Examples of chemical pruning agents include organic fatty acids and organic methyl esters, such as dimethyl sulfoxide.

In the commercial production of certain plants, it is known to employ materials which act as growth regulators to accelerate growth. Examples of materials known to accelerate growth of certain plants include chemical agents such as Gibberellins and genetic agents such as CBD (Cellulose Binding Domain).

There is therefore a need for a commercially viable method for producing ready-to-plant live fence units which are easily planted to provide an instant live fence of required dimensions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method for producing a ready-to-plant live fence unit.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a method for producing a live fence comprising: (a) providing a plurality of containers containing a growing medium, each container being elongated in a first dimension delimited by ends of the container; (b) planting within each container at least two plants arrayed along the first dimension; (c) for each of the containers, cultivating the at least two plants such that they grow in an interlocked manner to a substantially uniform approximate desired height so as to form a ready-to-plant live fence unit; and (d) planting the plurality of live fence units end-to-end so as to form a continuous live fence.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the cultivating includes treating the at least two plants with a chemical pruning agent so as to increase horizontal growth of the at least two plants. According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least two plants are also treated with a growth regulator which accelerates growth.

According to a further feature of the present invention, a peg guide is deployed within the growing medium in each container so as to form a guide for insertion of a peg and, subsequent to the planting, inserting a peg along the peg guide so as to secure the live fence unit in place.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a method for producing a live fence comprising: (a) providing a plurality of containers containing a growing medium; (b) planting within each container at least one plant; (c) for each container, cultivating the at least one plant to grow asymmetrically such that the at least one plant extends so as to have a first horizontal dimension termed "width" and a second horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal dimension termed "length", the length being at least about three times greater than the width so as to form a ready- to-plant live fence unit; and (d) planting the plurality of live fence units such that the plants of adjacent containers form a continuous live fence.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a method for producing an area covered by creeping plants comprising: (a) providing a plurality of containers containing a growing medium, each container being elongated in a first dimension delimited by ends of the container; (b) providing a trellis associated with each container and extending parallel to the first dimension; (c) planting within each container at least one creeping plant; (d) for each of the containers, cultivating the at least one creeping plant such that it substantially covers at least a predefined portion of the trellis so as to form a ready-to-plant creeping plant unit; and (e) planting the plurality of creeping plant units end-to-end so as to form a continuous area covered by creeping plants.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the at least one creeping plant is implemented as at least two creeping plants arrayed along the first dimension of each container, and wherein the cultivating is performed such that the at least two creeping plants grow in an interlocked manner.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the planting is performed with the trellises deployed substantially horizontally so as to form an area of ground covering.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the trellis is formed in a manner to allow rolling of the trellis at least about an axis parallel to the first dimension, the method further comprising rolling the trellis together with the creeping plants subsequent to the cultivating such that the creeping plant units assume a compact configuration for transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for producing a ready-to-plant live fence unit, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a number of live fence units being produced by the method of Figure 1 ;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic perspective views of the live fence units of Figure 2 being transplanted to form a fence, illustrating two techniques for securing the units in place;

FIG. 4 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a live fence unit, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the implantation of a creeping plant unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the creeping plant unit of Figure 5 in a compact rolled state for transport; FIGS. 7A-7D are schematic illustrations of profiled units according to the present invention; and

FIGS 8A and 8B are schematic side views of two variants of the creeping plant unit of Figure 5 implemented as a ground covering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a method for producing a ready-to-plant live fence unit.

The principles and operation of methods according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of a method, generally designated 10, according to the teachings of the present invention, for producing a ready-to-plant live fence unit. Generally speaking, method 10 according to a first implementation includes providing an elongated container containing a growing medium (step 12), planting within the container at least two plants arrayed along a line (step 14), and cultivating the plants so that they grow in an interlocked manner to a substantially uniform approximate desired height so as to form a ready-to-plant live fence unit. The cultivation of the plants preferably includes treating the plants with a chemical pruning agent so as to limit their vertical growth to an approximate desired height (step 16). Method 10 also preferably includes a step 18 of providing a vertical trellis adjacent to the container, and a step 20 of treating the plants with a growth regulator which accelerates growth.

It is a particular feature of preferred methods of present invention that one or more chemical pruning agent is used to affect growth of the plants. The use of a chemical pruning agent serves a dual purpose, simultaneously limiting upward growth of the terminal parts of the plants and inducing lateral growth. The effect of this treatment is that the plants become optimally conditioned for fencing, being of the required height and tightly interlocking with adjacent plants to form both a physical barrier and a sight barrier. The use of chemical growth regulators during production of the fence units also eliminates, or greatly reduces, the need for trimming, thereby minimizing production costs of the fence units. The term "live fence" is used herein, in the specification and claims, to refer to any fence, barrier or partition of which live plants form a part. The plants are preferably the majority, and typically the only, component of the fence. However, in certain applications such as, for example, a security fence, it may be preferable to combine the plants with a secondary fence structure. The secondary structure may be either as a reinforcement for the plant component, or an essentially self- supporting fence structure. In the latter case, the plants add aesthetically to the fence, and may function as a sight barrier. The secondary fence structure may include any of a number of generally known security features including, but not limited to, an intruder detection system, an alarm system and a lighting system. With or without such a secondary structure, it should be appreciated that by suitable selection of the plants used, a considerable obstacle or deterrent may be provided to the passage of people therethrough. For example, the plants may be chosen so as to be very thorny, poisonous, unpleasantly scented or to stain clothing with strongly colored pollen or other dyes. It should be appreciated that the method of the present invention may be applied to a very wide range of plants which, when growing alone, would be classified as shrubs, bushes or trees. The term "self-supporting plant" is used herein to refer generically to any of the above, whether or not supplementary support is provided therefor. Additionally, certain implementations of the present invention employ plants, commonly referred to as "climbers" or "creepers", which normally depend to some extent on another structure (plant, trellis, fence, wall or the like) for support. Such plants will be referred to generically herein as "creeping plants". Where the term "plant" is used alone, it is intended to refer generically to both self- supporting plants and creeping plants as herein defined. In each case, the specific choice of plant type depends on local climatic conditions and on the desired appearance, strength and other characteristics of the final fence.

The term "planting" is used herein, in the specification and claims, to refer to any procedure which results in a plant growing in a given location. Thus, planting is defined to include sowing of seeds, planting of fruits and transplanting of seedlings, as well more complicated procedures including grafting and layering. It should be noted that the new location in which the plant is planted may be directly in the ground, or may be within a container which is located below or above the ground. The term "substantially straight line" is used herein, in the specification and claims, to refer to any arrangement of plants which is conducive to producing a straight section of live fence. As will be readily clear to one skilled in the art, this does not require precise collinear arrangement of the bases of the plants. In fact, depending on the type of plants used and the thickness of live fence required, it may be preferable to slightly stagger the position of adjacent plants to produce a zigzag or other formation. However, even in such a case, since the major spacing between adjacent plants remains the main extensional direction of the intended live fence section, the formation is referred to as "substantially straight".

It should also be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to straight units. Specifically, arcuate and/or angled units may be provided for use alone, or together with straight units, to produce live fences of required shapes. In this context, the plants are considered to be arrayed along an "extensional direction" of the live fence unit, where the extensional direction may vary along the fence unit so as to correspond to a straight, curved or angled shape of the desired fence unit.

The live fence units of the present invention will also be described as attaining a "substantially uniform approximate desired height". It should be noted that the terms "substantially uniform" and "approximate desired height" are not intended to exclude some degree of aesthetic shaping or sculpturing. In fact, it is frequently preferable to produce an attractive, somewhat undulating or otherwise modulated upper profile to the live fence units. However, the height of each fence unit typically remains within roughly 10% of the nominal fence unit height and is therefore described as having a substantially uniform approximate desired height. Notwithstanding the above, it should be appreciated that various decorative or otherwise specialized applications may call for profiled units over which the height varies more drastically. Examples of such forms will be described with reference to Figures 7A-7C, below.

Turning now to the steps of method 10 in more detail, Figure 2 shows an example of an apparatus, generally designated 30, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, for use in implementing method 10. Thus, apparatus 30 includes a container 32 containing a growing medium 34 in which a number of plants 36 have been planted. Container 32, growing medium 34 and plants 36 together make up a live fence unit 38, ready for planting. Apparatus 30 also typically includes an irrigation system, such as a system of irrigation tubes 40, through which water, nutrients, and when required, growth regulators can be supplied. Preferably, the irrigation system is subdivided into modular irrigation elements associated with each container 32 so that they can be transferred as part of the live fence units for subsequent connection to form a permanent irrigation system.

Container 32 is elongated in a first horizontal dimension 42, hereafter termed its length, corresponding to the intended extensional direction of the live fence unit 38. A perpendicular horizontal dimension is termed its width. The depth and width of container 32 are chosen to be sufficient to accommodate a healthy root system of a plant of the type to be used when it has grown to the height of the live fence to be produced. Although these dimensions vary considerably according to the type of plant used, for a live fence between about 120 and about 180 cm tall, the depth is typically less than about 50 cm, and preferably between about 30 and about 40 cm, and the width is typically less than about 30 cm, and preferably between about 10 and about 20 cm. The length of container 32 is at least sufficient to provide volume for the root systems of the number of plants 36 in the container. Typically, in order to generate the desired degree of interlocking between the foliage of adjacent plants, the length is chosen to be greater than that required by the roots. The degree of overlap between the plants should be sufficient to ensure a fairly uniform, continuous fence appearance, and to provide a sight barrier and/or mechanical resistance against someone trying to push between the plants. However, excessive overlap is undesirable and wasteful. Additionally, the length is preferably chosen to be some simple fraction or multiple of a common unit of measurement so as to facilitate calculation of the number of live fence units required for a given length of fence. For a live fence between about 120 and about 180 cm tall, a length of about 1 m may be suitable for about four plants, dependent on the type of plant.

It should be noted that details of the shape of container 32 are not critical to the present invention. The dimensions mentioned generally relate to the maximum measurement in any dimension, corresponding to the necessary dimensions of an excavated trench which can receive container 32 or its contents.

In a preferred implementation of the present invention as illustrated, container 32 is a flexible bag. This has the advantages of providing a low-cost, light-weight packaging suitable for retail of the live fence units. In this case, apparatus 30 preferably includes a secondary support structure 44 around the bag to support its sides. Figure 2 shows a preferred implementation in which support structure 44 is constructed as a pair of parallel framework walls, one of which extends upwards so as to be integrally formed with a trellis 46.

Preferably, the bag is made from a biodegradable material such as biodegradable plastics or cloth material. This allows convenient transplanting of the live fence unit without removal of the bag. Alternatively, conventional disposable materials may be used.

In an alternative implementation, container 32 may be a rigid trough-shaped container formed from plastics, wood, metal or any other suitable material. A further possibility is the use of a permanent structure, such as an arrangement of troughs formed in a concrete, located at the growing location. In this latter case, the live fence unit 38 to be transferred clearly does not include the "container" 32 within which it was grown. The term "growing medium" is used herein, in the specification and claims, to refer to any medium suitable for supporting growth of the plants. The medium may be any type of soil or other inherently nutrient-containing material.

Alternatively, a natural or synthetic soil substitute may be employed. In either case, nutrients are preferably supplied or supplemented by administering of suitable solid or liquid fertilizers.

Plants 36 may all be of a single variety, or may include a combination of different types, species or varieties of plant which together form a live fence or hedge with the desired properties.

Trellis 46 may be any structure suitable for guiding growth of plants 36. Typically, trellis 46 is formed as a vertical framework adjacent to container 32 and extending parallel to its length. Where necessary, plants 36 are tied to trellis 46 by any suitable technique.

Turning now to step 20, a range of materials are known which act as growth regulators to accelerate plant growth and can be used to improve efficiency in a range of commercial plant production. Suitable growth regulators include, but are not limited to, chemical agents such as Gibberellins and genetic agents such as

CBD (Cellulose Binding Domain).

Beyond the normal functions of growth regulators, the specific combination of accelerating growth regulators together with chemical pruning agents is particularly useful in the context of the present invention. Initial application of pruning agents causes inhibition of elongation, leading to increased branching.

Subsequent application of appropriate accelerating growth regulators then stimulates development of the new branches. As a result, this sequence has a very specific effect of producing concentrated lateral growth. The result is a plant structure which is ideal for fencing applications.

Chemical pruning agents suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, organic fatty acids and organic methyl esters such as dimethyl sulfoxide.

By way of a practical example, the following program may be used for implementing the method of the present invention for producing live fence units using the plant "cotoneaster". First, between one and six plants are planted in a container in a peat moss substrate and provided with fertilizer and watering appropriate for the size of plant and climatic conditions. With the onset of growth, they are sprayed with the chemical pruning agent such as dimethyl sulfoxide which causes secondary branching without significantly reducing the rate of growth. After about three months when the plants have reached a height of about 25 cm, they are re-sprayed with the same chemical. This process is repeated until the plants approach the height required for sale. Then, when the plants are about 25 cm short of their final desired height, manual pruning is performed to produce a uniform height and width. The manual pruning is typically performed towards the end of the summer, although it may be done at other times where suitable controlled conditions exist. About a month after manual pruning, the plants are sprayed with SADH which inhibits elongation of the branch sections (i.e., causes "dwarfing"), as well as causing additional branching, thereby generating a dense, green appearance over most of the plants. This effect remains for a period of about four to six months, after which the plants return to their normal rate of growth.

Turning now to Figure 3A, this illustrates how the live fence units 38 of the present invention may be used to construct a live fence. First, a trench 50 of appropriate dimensions is excavated along the path of the required fence. Then, a suitable number of units 38, with container 32 removed where necessary, are lowered into trench 50, end-to-end. Optionally, the plants 36 are initially supported by support rods 52 until they firmly take root. An alternative technique for securing the live fence units is illustrated schematically in Figure 3B. Here, a number of guide elements, typically in the form of tubes 54, are implanted within the growing medium 34 of each unit 38 so as to define one or more pegging hole. Then, once each unit is lowered into trench 50, a peg 56 is forced along the guide element until it extends beyond the growing medium and becomes fixed in the surrounding ground, thereby securing the live fence unit in place.

Turning now to Figure 4, this shows a live fence unit, generally designated 60, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention, produced by an alternative implementation of method 10. The implementation varies primarily in that at least one plant 62 is cultivated to grow asymmetrically from a main trunk 64 such that it extends so as to have a length L which is at least about three times its width W. This enables live fence unit 60 to be produced from relatively few plants and, as in the case illustrated, even from a single plant. Cultivation of the plant in this form can most simply be performed by use of a trellis equivalent to trellis 46 extending parallel to the length. The plant naturally tends to conform to the extensional direction of the trellis. Any branches which start to develop in directions transverse to the trellis may easily be trained by manually clipping to the trellis. Alternatively, or additionally, manual pruning can be used to direct the plant's growth in the desired directions.

It should be noted that the "length" referred to here corresponds to the "extensional direction" referred to in the previous implementation and is measured between the outermost extents of the foliage of the plant measured horizontally. The "width" is measured between the outermost extents of the foliage measured in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the length. As already mentioned, the length of each plant in this implementation is at least about three times greater than the width, and frequently at least about four times or even about five times greater than the width. In all other respects, the details of this implementation of method 10 are equivalent to those described above.

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, it should be appreciated that, while the invention has been described hereunto in relation to self-supporting plants, similar methods may be applied to creeping plants. In this case, the aforementioned trellis becomes a necessary feature and remains with the plants when transported and planted. Where the trellises themselves can be attached to form a fence structure, creeping plants may also be used to form live fence units according to the above definitions. Alternatively, creepers may be used to provide areas of decorative cover and/or sight-screens for walls, fences and other freestanding structures.

Turning specifically to Figure 5, this shows schematically the planting of a ready-to-plant creeping plant unit 70, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. The details of the method and corresponding structures used to implement ready-to-plant creeping plant unit 70 will readily be understood by one ordinarily skilled in the art by analogy to the description of live fence units 38, above.

Figure 6 shows a further preferred feature, specific to applications with creeping plants, according to which trellis 46 is formed in a manner to allow rolling of the trellis, at least about an axis parallel to the first dimension. This permits rolling of trellis 46 together with the plant(s) so that the creeping plant units assume a compact configuration as shown for transportation. Alternatively, a similar objective may be achieved by folding of the trellis and plants. This technique makes it feasible to produce and transport creeping plant units with heights as much as several meters. The length of the units, as before, is generally chosen as some standard length, typically about 1 meter.

Clearly, the present invention can be applied to an essentially unlimited range of creeping plants, depending upon local climatic conditions and on the desired appearance and other desired characteristics of the creeping plant coverage. Suitable examples for use alone or in combination include, but are not limited to, Thunbergia, Vitis. sp, Bougainvillea. sp, Passiflora. sp, Lathyrus Adoratus, Jasminum. sp, Wisteria and Parthenocissis Hedryanu. Combinations may be chosen to provide a wide range of combined effects such as evergreen appearance, scent, seasonal effects and flowering. For example, the evergreen Bougainvillea may be well complemented by the flowering Wisteria.

Turning briefly to Figures 8 A and 8B, these shows an additional possibility, of particular relevance with creeping plants, in which the creeping plant units are planted with the trellises deployed substantially horizontally. This allows the provision of an ornamental ground covering or the like. For such applications, the roots may be located either along a peripheral edge of the covering, or in a central position. In the latter case, the units may be cultivated in a U-shape formation which is laid flat when planted.

Here too, a wide range of types of creeping plants may be used. Examples particularly suited to ground covering applications include, but are not limited to, Vinca Minor and Swedish Ivy.

Finally, turning to Figures 7A-7D, it should be appreciated that both the live fence units and the creeping plant units of the present invention may be produced with various profiled shapes as required by the user. Examples include, but are not limited to, curved upper profiles such as in Figure 7A, wedge-shaped upper profiles such as in Figure 7B, and tilted or profiled bases such as in Figures 7C and 7D. The latter shapes are primarily for cases where the intended planting location is similarly sloped or otherwise profiled, and may be produced using a correspondingly shaped container 32 mounted, where necessary, on a suitably shaped stage or the like.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for producing a live fence comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of containers containing a growing medium, each container being elongated in a first dimension delimited by ends of the container;

(b) planting within each container at least two plants arrayed along said first dimension;

(c) for each of said containers, cultivating said at least two plants such that they grow in an interlocked manner to a substantially uniform approximate desired height so as to form a ready-to-plant live fence unit; and

(d) planting the plurality of live fence units end-to-end so as to form a continuous live fence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said cultivating includes treating said at least two plants with a chemical pruning agent so as to increase horizontal growth of said at least two plants.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said chemical pruning agent is chosen from the group: organic fatty acids and organic methyl esters.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said chemical pruning agent is dimethyl sulfoxide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said containers are implemented as flexible bags.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a secondary support around each bag for supporting said bag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said containers are made from biodegradable material.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a vertical trellis adjacent to each container and extending parallel to said first dimension for guiding growth of said at least two plants.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating said at least two plants with a growth regulator which accelerates growth.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said growth regulator is a Gibberellin.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying a peg guide within said growing medium in each container so as to form a guide for insertion of a peg and, subsequent to said planting, inserting a peg along said peg guide so as to secure the live fence unit in place.

12. A method for producing a live fence comprising:

(a) providing a plurality of containers containing a growing medium;

(b) planting within each container at least one plant;

(c) for each container, cultivating said at least one plant to grow asymmetrically such that said at least one plant extends so as to have a first horizontal dimension termed "width" and a second horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to said first horizontal dimension termed "length", said length being at least about three times greater than said width so as to form a ready-to-plant live fence unit; and

(d) planting the plurality of live fence units such that said plants of adjacent containers form a continuous live fence.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said length is at least about four times greater than said width.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said cultivating includes treating said at least one plant with a chemical pruning agent so as to increase horizontal growth of said at least one plant.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said chemical pruning agent is chosen from the group: organic fatty acids and organic methyl esters.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said chemical pruning agent is dimethyl sulfoxide.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said containers are implemented as flexible bags.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a secondary support around each of said flexible bags for supporting said bags.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said containers are made from biodegradable material.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a vertical trellis adjacent to each container and extending parallel to said length for guiding growth of said at least one plant.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising treating said at least one plant with a growth regulator which accelerates growth.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising deploying a peg guide within said growing medium in each container so as to form a guide for insertion of a peg and, subsequent to said planting, inserting a peg along said peg guide so as to secure the live fence unit in place.

23. A method for producing an area covered by creeping plants comprising:

(b) providing a trellis associated with each container and extending parallel to said first dimension;

(c) planting within each container at least one creeping plant;

(d) for each of said containers, cultivating said at least one creeping plant such that it substantially covers at least a predefined portion of said trellis so as to form a ready-to-plant creeping plant unit; and

(e) planting the plurality of creeping plant units end-to-end so as to form a continuous area covered by creeping plants.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one creeping plant is implemented as at least two creeping plants arrayed along said first dimension of each container, and wherein said cultivating is performed such that said at least two creeping plants grow in an interlocked manner.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said cultivating includes treating said at least one creeping plant with a chemical pruning agent.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said chemical pruning agent is chosen from the group: organic fatty acids and organic methyl esters.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said chemical pruning agent is dimethyl sulfoxide.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said containers are implemented as flexible bags.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a secondary support around each of said flexible bags for supporting said bag.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said containers are made from biodegradable material.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising treating said at least one plant with a growth regulator which accelerates growth.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said growth regulator is a Gibberellin.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein said planting is performed with said trellises deployed substantially horizontally so as to form an area of ground covering.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein said trellis is formed in a manner to allow rolling of said trellis at least about an axis parallel to said first dimension, the method further comprising rolling said trellis together with said creeping plants subsequent to said cultivating such that said creeping plant units assume a compact configuration for transportation.