Abstract: The present invention provides a method and raised bed for producing plant material in a container in the bed.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polymer (“SAP”) root dip composition and methods of delivering a SAP to a plant are disclosed. A root structure of a plant may be dipped into a SAP hydrogel. The plant may then be planted, stored or transported for subsequent planting.

Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device 20 includes a device body 22 having a pick-up tip opening 78 to which vacuum pressure is supplied. The vacuum pick-up device 20 further includes a mechanical release assisting device 36 that assists in the release of a grasped object contemporaneously with or slightly subsequent to the cessation of vacuum pressure. A manifold 38 may be included to efficiently and effectively supply vacuum pressure to the device body 22 from a vacuum pressure source.

Abstract: A tree stand assembly including a container defining a basin and a plurality of securement assemblies attached to the container. The securement assemblies are spaced from each other and define a space within the container for receiving the base of a tree trunk. Each securement assembly has a support member having a passageway in an upper portion thereof and a fast-acting screw assembly. Each fast-acting screw assembly includes an engager having a threaded recess portion, and a bolt having a threaded shank designed to threadedly engage the recess portion threads when the bolt extends through the passageway. The engager has a normal or biased condition allowing the bolt to slide in a first axial direction in the passageway while preventing the bolt from sliding in an opposing second axial direction.

Abstract: A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying flowers and a greeting card is provided. The greeting card has an open end and a closed end. The apparatus comprises a hollow vase having an outer surface, a top end, and a bottom end. An opening is formed in the top end of the vase with the opening extending from the top end of the vase to the bottom end of the vase. A slot is formed in the outer surface of the vase with the slot extending from the top end of the vase to the bottom end of the vase and the slot sized and shaped for receiving the closed end of the greeting card.

Abstract: A process for developing agricultural products, such as seed pots, from manure includes the steps of collecting the manure, modifying nutrient content and fiber content of the manure, optionally separating at least part of a solid portion of the manure containing nutrients and fibers from a liquid portion, preparing the separated solid portion or the unseparated manure for molding, and molding the separated solid portion or the unseparated manure into a desired product. Following the molding step, the desired product may be subjected to a drying step. A system for performing the process is described.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for irrigating container-grown plants suitable for use as a nursery irrigation system has a remote water storage tank, which utilizes the same overhead pipe to deliver and remove the water to a plant tray to base of the plant without contacting the leaves of the plant under an automatically controlled system.

Abstract: An automated seed sampler includes a sampling station; a sampler for removing material from a seed in the sampling station; a seed conveyer for conveying the seed from the sampling station to a compartment in a seed tray; and a conveyor for conveying the material removed from the seed to a corresponding compartment in a sample tray. The method of the present invention comprises feeding seeds individually to a sampling station, removing a sample from the seed in the sampling station; conveying the sample to a compartment in a sample tray, and conveying the seed to a corresponding compartment in a seed tray. The samples can be tested, and the seeds can be sorted according to the results of the testing of their corresponding samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for the cultivation of subaquatic vegetation. The apparatus and method seek to mimic the actual ecosystem of subaquatic vegetation that is being grown. Because the vegetation that is grown is raised in natural conditions, it will have a better chance for survival upon ultimate transplantation in a river, bay or other natural ecosystem.

Abstract: A growing medium includes a bulking agent compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 7:1 to about 10:1, being substantially free of a water-soluble binder material. The compressed bulking agent is then reground while substantially maintaining the volume-to-volume ratio.

Abstract: A container and its use capable of containing liquid and at least one stern of a floral product having a first portion and a second portion, the container comprising an intermediate portion capable of collapsing around at least a portion of each stern between the first portion and the second portion and securing the floral product and maintaining a weight such as a liquid located in the second portion therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial seed (20) is provided. The method includes transporting a seed shell (22) to a media fill station (300) and depositing media (26) into the seed shell. The method also includes sealing (28) the media within one end of the seed shell, depositing an embryo (42) within the seed shell, and sealing (44) the embryo within the seed shell.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for improving the yield of potato crops. The arrangement includes a bed, a plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants, and a drip irrigation tape. The bed is provided for multiple rows of potato plants. The plurality of pairs of parallel rows of potato plants in the bed have an inter-row gap between the rows in each pair of rows spaced from one another sufficiently to provide a moisture permeable agronomic soil corridor between the rows in each pair of rows to provide a supply of water to a root zone of each row within each pair of rows of potato plants while maintaining aerated soil within and above the agronomic soil corridor to reduce excessively wet conditions adjacent the crop canopy and a solar light corridor provided between adjacent pairs of rows to provide increased solar energy to the potato plants.

Abstract: Mating first and second landscape edging segments having improved end-to-end connection are provided which include an open-ended slot defined either adjacent an open end of the first edging segment or adjacent a received end of the second edging segment, the open-ended slot being configured for receiving a portion of one of the first or second edging segments so that the first and second edging segments may be mated by the open end of the first edging segment receiving the received end of the second edging segment, with the first and second edging segments partially overlapping.

Abstract: Various sleeves and bags or packaging goods, especially floral groupings such as bouquets and pot plants, can be provided using the present invention. Exemplary sleeves are manufactured with an outer wall and an inner wall, each of which is formed of two layers. The outer layers are a transparent or semitransparent sheet material such as polypropylene, and the inner layers are a nonwoven fabric material made of a compatible polymer. The outer and inner layers of each wall may be printed with complementary images or patterns. The inner and outer layers of the one or both walls may be fastened to each other not only along the side edges of the sleeve, but also at discrete locations along the top edge where the sleeve is opened. The connection can be made using glue or the equivalent, by melting or welding the two layers together, or by punching a tab of the outer layer through the inner layer. The top and bottom edges of the inner and outer layers may be coincident, or not.

Abstract: A powered edging assembly for providing a voltage source at an edge of a garden or lawn having an edging extrusion configured for in-ground placement at the edge and including an above-ground upper portion having contained wires extending along a length of the extrusion; the wires being insulated by penetrable sheaths. An electrically powered device is selectively positionable and fastenable on the extrusion, whereby contacts for the device penetrate the sheaths for communicating electrical power from the wires to the device.

Abstract: A weather protection device for the protection of moisture or sunlight sensitive specialized cultures of plant cultivation is proposed, with at least a largely watertight protective skin that is attached to a carrier unit, which safely ensures an effective protection, especially of plants from weather influences, even over longer periods of time at comparably low effort, and which is economically inexpensive to produce, especially for very large-scale applications, such as for areas of several acres of size: This is achieved according to the invention in that the protective skin is attached at least partially pivoting on the carrier unit for swiveling out by means of wind force from an idle position, and that at least one of a net, meshwork, and screen is provided, on which the protective skin rests.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) culturing a plant embryo in a germination medium; and (b) assembling the cultured plant embryo into a manufactured seed. The methods of the invention are applicable to zygotic and somatic plant embryos.

Abstract: A vertical garden includes a reservoir containing a nutrient rich liquid. A stack of modular planters are nested together above the reservoir. A vertically extending tubular pipe passes through central openings in the modular planters. The tubular pipe communicates with a manifold within the reservoir. An air pump located outside of the reservoir has an outlet hose terminating in an air inlet port in the manifold. Compressed air flows from the air pump into the manifold and flows up through the pipe to a diffuser plate at the top. Compressed air rises in the vertically extending pipe entraining some of said liquid upward towards the top diffuser plate. Each modular planter has radiating planter ports for growing plants, wherein the planter ports contain plant media. Nutrient rich liquid trickles down from the diffuser plate, intersecting with and soaking the plant media in the planter ports.