Subterranean material dispensing apparatus and method

A method of dispersing material into the ground from a dispensing device, comprising:

• engaging the ground with an elongated shaft having a hollow interior region and a helical flange secured to the shaft, the helical flange comprising a single-lead thread having a root and a crest, the single-lead thread being wrapped around the shaft and having a hollow inner region between the root and the crest which is in communication with the hollow interior region of the shaft;
• rotating the shaft and the helical flange to drive the shaft and helical flange into the ground;
• placing the material into a receptacle disposed adjacent one end of the shaft;
• directing liquid into the receptacle to dissolve at least a portion of the material to form a liquid-material mixture;
• channeling the liquid-material mixture down the shaft;
• and
• dispersing the liquid-material mixture into the ground through one or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flange.

A method of dispersing copper-containing material into the ground from a dispensing device, comprising:

• engaging the ground with an elongated shaft having a hollow interior region and a helical flange secured to the shaft, the helical flange comprising a single-lead thread having a root and a crest, the single-lead thread being wrapped around the shaft and having a hollow inner region between the root and the crest which is in communication with the hollow interior region of the shaft;
• rotating the shaft and the helical flange to drive the shaft and helical flange into the ground;
• placing the copper-containing material into a receptacle disposed adjacent one end of the shaft;
• directing liquid into the receptacle to dissolve at least a portion of the copper-containing material to form a liquid-material mixture;
• channeling the liquid-material mixture down the shaft;
• and
• dispersing the liquid-material mixture into the ground through one or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flange for retarding root growth.