Abstract: A gutter system for growing one or more plants may be provided. The gutter system may include a gutter and one or more inserts. The gutter may have a trough, a first side wall extending upward from the trough, and a second side wall opposite the first side wall and extending upward from the trough. The gutter inserts may each have an outer wall, a clip connected to the outer wall, such that the clip secures the gutter insert to the gutter, and an inner wall which slopes away from the outer wall. The gutter insert may be hollow and the first gutter insert may be connected to the first side wall and the second gutter insert may be connected to the second side wall.

Abstract: A method for growing plants may start by identifying at least the species of one or more plants being grown and selecting a spectra shift recipe from a menu of spectra shift recipes for the one or more plants based on the species identification of the one or more plants. Next, light may be emitted on the one or more plants. The light being emitted may be selected according to the selected spectra shift recipe. The spectra shift recipes may include, for example, a plurality of durations and at least a spectral category for each time, and the spectral category may cycle from no light to blue peak and back at least one time.

Abstract: A farming method may be shown and described. In an exemplary embodiment, plants may begin in a germination phase. Next, plants are brought to a nursery for a period of time before optionally being transplanted to one or more subsequent nurseries. Plants in the nurseries may be stacked vertically in trays. During the nursery phase, root growth may be optimized. Finally, plants are transplanted to a greenhouse where they may grow until they are ready for harvest. In an exemplary embodiment, the nursery phases may be vertical farms while the greenhouse phase may be a traditional, hydroponic, or other type of farm which may receive sunlight. AI may be implemented to optimize environmental conditions and robotics may be used to harvest the plants.

Abstract: A method for optimizing plant growth in a hybrid growing environment may implement artificial intelligence to measure and alter plant biometrics. Independent variables may be altered by a control unit by manipulating various control systems within the growing environment. Dependent variables may be measured, and the response of the dependent variables may be recorded in association with the alteration to the independent variables. A historical database may store data regarding the variables and may be referenced and updated by an exemplary embodiment. The control unit may optimize one or more variables or parameters based on a targeted value or outcome. An exemplary hybrid growing environment may include one or more vertical growing phases and a horizontal phase. The phases may implement various watering systems and may be hydroponic, be a complete CEA, use a mixture of natural, artificial, and/or supplemental lighting.