Abstract: A bulb and bedding planter for the manual planting of bulbs, seedlings, and bedding plants in soil, comprising an elongated hollow tube with a handle at its upper end, and a substantially enclosed hollow plunger enclosure attached to the other end. The lower end of the enclosure terminates in a tip adapted to easily penetrate the soil; its upper end extends laterally, terminating in flanges which provide a foot rest for the operator. An elongated rod with a plunger handle at its upper end and a plunger at its lower end is slidably contained within said tube. Both the plunger handle and the plunger are of diameter slightly larger than the interior of said tube, thus limiting the motion of the rod within the tube. The planter can be used rapidly and efficiently by a standing operator, thereby reducing the bending and kneeling usually associated with this activity.

Abstract: A soil sample extraction tool including a container having a soil sample receiving chamber, the chamber being accessible by an opening in the container. A first end of the container is engageable with the soil and allows passage of the soil sample to the chamber. A closure member or door is adjustably movable with respect to the opening in the container. A control member is operatively connected to the closure member and allows movement of the closure member with respect to the opening in the container to facilitate opening of the closure member to gain access to the sample receiving chamber.

Abstract: A hand pressure operated seed planter includes an elongated vertically disposed tubular body for storing seeds with a cup-shaped telescoping bottom cap having seed dispensing openings. A rotatably mounted closure plate is mounted within the bottom cap. The bottom cap is normally forced downwardly by a spring. A spiral plate that is adapted to function as a helical cam member is operatively associated between the storage tube and the closure plate to rotate the closure plate to an open position allowing seeds to fall through the dispensing hole when enough downward pressure is applied to the planter to force the bottom cap upwardly upon the tubular body.

Abstract: The mini seeder comprises an open receptacle which has a rim and a top surface provided with a seed discharge orifice. A substantially U-shaped partition around the orifice divides the top surface into a seed-transfer channel within the partition, and a seed-storage area which is externally of the partition. A discharge-and-guide tube extends downwardly from the orifice. A boss surrounds the lower end of the tube. A nearly semi-cylindrical tine outwardly-projects from the lower end of the boss.

Abstract: A simple, one person transplanter in use from a standing position having a rectangular, tubular frame, the distance equivalent to the distance required between plants, and a dibble on one end to make the hole for the container which also spaces the plants the proper distance and having a hollow delivery chute for the containerized plants and a pair of opposed trowels for closing the soil around the container and also a platform secured to the upper end to support flats whereby the person doing the transplating is in a standing position at all times.

Abstract: An elongated device for planting seeds from an upright or standing position, or from a wheel chair, having an elongated hollow tube open at its upper end and closed at its lower end by a lower portion that is pointed, and that can be pushed into the ground to any desired depth. The upper end includes a handle having a rigid part secured around the open end, for pushing down the hollow tube to push the pointed lower portion into the ground to the desired depth. The pointed lower portion has sections hinged to the hollow tube and controlled by lever arms to push aside the ground while opening the lower end of the hollow tube. The handle also includes a movable part that is mechanically coupled to the lever arm or arms of the hinged sections of the openable lower portion to spread the lower portion for the planting of a seed or other plant form into the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing and distributing additives into bodies of meat and the like. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member retained in a hollow cylindrical tubular member, the tubular member engaging with an additive reservoir. The cylindrical member performs as a plunger to dispense additives from the reservoir into the hollow cylinder which in turn are projected by the plunger into the meat or the like. The free end of the hollow cylinder is applied or inserted into meat or the like being cooked for consumption. The reservoir also contains a plunger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insertable article for altering the cure rate and chemical composition of an object thus pierced which includes an elongated shaft, preferably formed from heat conductive material, and recesses extending along the length of the shaft provided with areas around the recess for the disposition of chemicals therein. The shaft has a terminus which is pointed for ease in insertion into the object, and the support areas and recesses are so disposed on an outer face of the shaft that the cure rate of the article and its chemical configuration is altered by a gradual leaching outwardly of the chemicals and a cure rate pattern altered by the heat conductive shaft.

Abstract: A hand-held and operated seeder apparatus is provided which is capable of carrying and spreading seed and the like to selected lawn areas. This operation is accomplished by securing the lower end of a storage handle to a cup member. When the apparatus is moved up and down, seed in the handle flows from the handle to the cup and the seed is then jostled to and over the top of the cup. The seed falls onto localized areas of ground.

Abstract: A seed drill for planting seeds, comprising a seed container having a flexible base with a bore, and one or more slots radiating from the bore, formed therein, and a dibber rod movable axially of the bore whereby to engage and eject from the container a seed located in the bore.

Abstract: A seed planter comprising an elongated tube member having a seed hopper at one end in open communication with the interior of the tube member, a discharge opening provided at the opposite end of the tube for release of seeds therefrom, a seed reservoir in the proximity of the hopper for storing a seed supply therein, and an adjustable gauge disposed at the discharge end of the tube for facilitating spacing of the seeds during a planting operation.

Abstract: A device for preparing and reseeding small bare spots in a lawn is in the form of a telescoping tubular member having upper and lower, relatively slidable tubes, with the storage hopper for the grass seeds being provided in the upper tube, and wherein a valve means is provided at the connection between the upper and lower tubes for controlling the flow of seeds from the storage hopper through the lower tube to the bare spot on the ground. The valve means preferably comprises a caged ball secured within the upper tube, and an actuating means secured to the lower tube. Spring biasing means are provided to maintain the tubular member in its extended position, with the valve means being closed. The lower end of the lower tube is formed with teeth for initially scoring the bare spot. Next, the tubular member is compressed along its axial length, thereby momentarily actuating the ball valve to enable a measured amount of grass seed to fall through the tubular member for deposit on the ground.

Abstract: An improvement in an injection planting tool of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,832. The improvement is a detent mechanism on the tool that is manually operable to grasp the plant container being injection planted by a person with the tool in the event a rock interfers with the attempted planting, so that the container can be retained in the tool for another attempted planting.

Abstract: A hand held seed planter includes a tubular body and a pair of ground-opening jaws pivotally carried on one end of the body. A seed hopper is slidably mounted on the other end of the body and a ground engaging collar is carried on the one end, surrounding the jaws and mounted for sliding movement on the tubular body. When the soil collar is placed on the ground and a downward force applied to the handle attached to the hopper, the jaws are moved downward into the soil and create a seed opening in the soil. Adjustable pins on the collar control the depth of the opening. At the same time, a seed scoop recess, carrying a seed, is brought into alignment with an opening in a tube which extends through the hopper. A seed is then transferred into the tube, passing through the tubular body and between the jaws, to be planted in the seed opening.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for depositing a growth altering material such as fertilizer to a plant rooted in soil. The apparatus includes a body member having a handle member extending relative thereto. A digging element extends from the body member having a substantially shovel-like region for digging into the soil upon application of a force on the handle member. A hopper for storing the fertilizer is secured relative to the body member. Gate means is provided in the hopper for containing the fertilizer in the hopper when the gate is in a first position and for liberating the growth altering material in proximity to the digging element when the gate is in a second position. A foot member secured to the body member in a substantially orthogonal relationship may be provided for facilitating digging into the soil. The gate means may be operated by a hand lever secured to the handle member and connected by a flexible cable extending through the body member to the gate means.

Abstract: A planting system including a growing container which is inserted into the ground absent wall portions thereof and from which the plant growing in the remaining portions in the ground may grow into a mature plant, such, for example, as a tree. The container comprises a frame and a thin removable and discardable sleeve in all embodiments. The planting system further includes methods of planting the containers. Also, hand tools for planting the containers are disclosed.

Abstract: A combination lawn and garden implement having a hollow elongated handle provided with a furrow forming and closing tool on one end shaped to form a furrow in the soil or close the furrow when used in a furrowing mode with the user in the standing position and shaped to define a trough to receive and guide seeds into the handle for discharge therethrough into a furrow when used in a planting mode. Various changeable tool attachments are provided for the other end of the handle to perform a variety of gardening and lawn working functions.