Abstract: A greenhouse for providing improved growth and environmental control for growing plants comprising a frame defining a structure having a given length and width forming a bounded, interior region for receiving plants; a flexible cover positionable over the frame for providing a roof enclosure for the structure; an elongate roller substantially extending along the length of the structure secured to a lengthwise edge of the cover; and a power source coupled to the roller for travel therewith operable for rotatably driving the roller about its longitudinal axis to retract or extend the cover relative to the frame. A water distribution system for the greenhouse is also disclosed. The water distribution system includes a distribution conduit with spaced-apart spray nozzles positioned adjacent the top interior of the greenhouse. A power drive system oscillates the conduit through a defined arc to distribute water downwardly to plants growing in the greenhouse.

Abstract: A greenhouse for providing improved growth and environmental control for growing plants comprising a frame defining a structure having a given length and width forming a bounded, interior region for receiving plants; a flexible cover positionable over the frame for providing a roof enclosure for the structure; an elongate roller substantially extending along the length of the structure secured to a lengthwise edge of the cover; and a power source coupled to the roller for travel therewith operable for rotatably driving the roller about its longitudinal axis to retract or extend the cover relative to the frame.

Abstract: Automatic method and apparatus for transplanting crops includes a transplanting apparatus which receives trays of seedlings from a greenhouse and sequentially displaces the seedlings from the trays into selected crop rows via an automatic process. The method and apparatus utilizes a plurality of fluid dispensers mounted on the transplanting apparatus selectively operable for directing fluid against the ground to form a plurality of laterally spaced-apart plant-receiving cavities. The fluid dispensers are positioned in advance of a carriage which is provided on the apparatus for receiving a plurality of seedling trays. The carriage is provided with plant setters which are selectively operable for engaging selected seedlings in selected rows of the seedling trays and displacing them substantially vertically downwardly from a selected cell into a plant-receiving cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for growing plants having a floor with a plurality of raised projections defining trough regions therebetween and being adapted to hold plant watering fluid at a level relative to the upper periphery of the projections. An insert for the pan is also provided, having a plurality of spaced, downwardly extending cells, each cell including a bottom defining an opening. The insert is shiftable between a first position and a second position. The first position is one in which the bottoms are disposed in the trough regions below the level of the watering fluid so that the fluid can enter the openings. In the second position, at least some of the bottoms rest upon the projections so that the openings are less than fully obstructed by the projections and so that fluid within the cells can drain therefrom. Another aspect of the invention is a method for germinating plant seeds.

Abstract: A small, light-weight apparatus for use in transplanting crops includes a vehicle operable for manual propelling in a direction of travel along the ground. A reservoir mounted on the vehicle contains a supply of liquid and a pressure source for imparting fluid pressure against the liquid contained in the reservoir is also mounted on the vehicle. Dispensers, such as nozzles are mounted on the vehicle for receiving liquid under pressure from the reservoir and for injecting liquid into the ground to form crop-receiving cavities. In addition, the apparatus includes a boom carried on the vehicle which extends generally transversely to the direction of travel, the boom spanning above the ground and providing a mounting for a plurality of the nozzles.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held device for use in transplanting crops includes a tubular conduit operable for directing fluid outwardly from the discharge end thereof for impingement against the ground to form a crop-receiving cavity in the ground. Additionally, an orienting attachment connected to the tubular conduit is engageable with the ground for positioning the discharge end thereabove. The orienting attachment also includes a stabilizer for contacting a stretch of the ground to position the tubular conduit so that fluid may be discharged substantially vertically thereinto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transplanting crops includes a vehicular frame and a carriage reciprocally shiftable relative to the length of the frame. Plural fluid dispensing nozzles are mounted on the carriage for injecting fluid jets into the ground to form elongate, crop receiving cavities. The carriage is maintained substantially immobile relative to the ground during fluid injection while the frame may be continuously advanced. After the cavities are formed, seedlings are manually introduced thereinto.