Abstract: An apparatus for planting seeds comprises an elongated tube comprising a piston, a shaft coupled to the piston, and a cylinder coupled to the piston. The apparatus comprises a foot bar and a handle bar, coupled to the elongated tube. The handle bar comprises a lever coupled to the shaft. Further, the apparatus comprises a container provided at the handle bar to store seeds. The container comprises a first conduit extended over the length of the elongated tube. A user of the apparatus applies pressure on the foot bar to insert the elongated tube in ground. The lever is operated to lift the container via the shaft and the piston such that the dirt collected in the container creates a hole in the ground. Subsequently, the seeds are made to fall in the hole through the first conduit. Further, the lever is operated to drop the dirt collected in the container into the hole to cover the seeds in the hole.

Abstract: A wearable paintball dispensing bag for storing paintballs and loading the paintballs to a hopper of a paintball gun. The wearable paintball dispensing bag includes arcuate flexible internal compartments and first fastening members. The arcuate flexible internal compartments extend from a top section to a bottom section of the wearable paintball dispensing bag. A first opening of the arcuate flexible internal compartments receives the paintballs and a second opening of each of the arcuate flexible internal compartments releases the paintballs. The first fastening members are positioned proximal to the second opening of the arcuate flexible internal compartments for releasably sealing the second opening of the wearable paintball dispensing bag. Unfastening the first fastening members releases the paintballs into the hopper of the paintball gun. The second opening has a spring element configured to be squeezed open in order to release the paintballs after unfastening the first fastening members.

Abstract: A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

Abstract: A hand-planter for singulation planting of cereal, grain, seed and other crops includes a tapered soil engagement component for striking and penetrating a soil surface. With each planter strike to the soil surface, the planter is actuated to meter a granular material product by reciprocating a drum to rotate, thereby exposing a cavity to a material hopper. As the actuation force is released, the reciprocating drum rotates in an opposite direction to its original location and drops the material that has been metered.

Abstract: The fertilizer dispenser apparatus has contoured wheels and tines extending radially therefrom, enabling preparation of the surface area to be treated. The tines enable the targeted site to be exposed prior to fertilization. Then, a trigger mechanism is engaged and a metering auger dispenses a controlled amount of fertilizer. The surface treatment enables the fertilizer to be inserted into the soil onto the root system of the plant targeted for growth. After fertilization, the apparatus in maneuvered to cover the newly applied fertilizer with available soil. A manually operated version is powered by the motion of the wheels, whereby the user engages the trigger mechanism and using the forward and rearward motion of the apparatus, dispenses a metered amount of fertilizing agent to a specific area. Also, the surface treatment results in less handling of fertilizer, and a reduction in the amount of wind-blown fertilizer needed.

Abstract: A divot repair cart for filling divot holes with a repair mixture. The cart has a self-supporting wheeled frame, a push handle for use at a standing height, a repair mix reservoir at a first height above the ground, and a rear-facing dispensing spout having a divot alignment position adjacent the ground in which the spout is visible from the push handle for aligning it with a divot hole. Repair mix is dispensed by tilting the cart. The spout may be movable relative to the cart, and further operable with a remote control such as a cable, to move the spout from the divot alignment position to a raised transport position.

Abstract: A manually operable seeding device comprises an elongate body portion having a trough section formed therein, and a plurality of openings formed through the body portion in or adjacent the trough section. The plurality of openings is spaced one from another a distance that corresponds to a spacing at which it is desired that plants germinating from the seeds will grow. A method of manually seeding a plant bed is also provided, including: obtaining a seeding device that comprises an elongate body portion having a trough section formed therein and a plurality of openings formed through the body portion in or adjacent the trough section; positioning the seeding device atop or partially below the ground surface; and delivering at least one seed through each of the openings to bed the seed within or atop the ground surface.

Abstract: A post removal system having a base plate, a vertical support plate extending upwardly from a top surface of the base plate, and a handle pivotally attached to a top edge of the vertical support plate via a pivot pin, the handle is positioned atop the vertical support plate such that the vertical support plate is at a point between the midpoint and the first end of the handle, the pivot pin is perpendicular to the handle, the handle can pivot upwardly and downwardly about the pivot pin, and a stake gripping component pivotally attached to the first end of the handle via a hinge, the stake gripping component can pivot upwardly and downwardly about the hinge with respect to the handle, the stake gripping component having a slot in a side adjacent to the hinge, wherein the slot is adapted to temporarily accept a stake.

Abstract: A novel groundcover seed mixture and method of application comprising mixing visual powdered indicator with small groundcover plant seeds thus allowing a more even and visible application of the groundcover plant seeds over the desired ground surface area.

Abstract: A device for use in cutting plugs of submerged substrate and particularly seagrass plugs for the purpose of transplanting using a corresponding transport receptacle and method. The device utilizes a hollow cutting member with a serrated bottom edge capable of being placed over a targeted area and forced into the submerged substrate, created vacuum pressure in the hollow cutting member, and compressed air injected between the exterior of the hollow cutting member and the submerged substrate to accomplish cutting of a submerged substrate unit. Vacuum pressure in the hollow cutting member is released to transfer the collected unit to the corresponding transport receptacle with a removable bottom. A corresponding method for transplanting a collected seagrass plug is further accomplished by creating a hole at recipient site using the device and removing the transport receptacle's removable bottom to release the plug into the created hole.

Abstract: A method and device for filling a container with a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, chemical, or the like material by gravity, includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve for opening or restricting a flow between the inlet and outlet and having open and closed positions, and an actuator disposed downstream of the inlet for actuating the valve between the open and closed positions, wherein the actuator is operated by a container to be filled with a material.

Abstract: A garden machine allows a user to perform various gardening functions with a single machine by allowing the user to easily interchange implements placed on an implement mounting shaft of the machine. The garden machine includes a frame and an implement mounting shaft. The user, faced with a job to do, selects the implements best suited for the job and mounts the selected implements on the implement mounting shaft. The user then manipulates the machine to do the job. The machine can be hand powered or be powered by an engine or motor. A seed drill of the invention includes seed discharge tubes spaced around the circumference of a disk. Each seed discharge tube communicates with a seed reservoir in the disk through a displacement operated valve arrangement. As a planting head is displaced toward the disk against a spring bias, the displacement opens the seed discharge tube so that a seed is discharged from the reservoir into the tube and is delivered to the ground.

Abstract: A granule dispensing device is provided and includes a chamber having a predetermined volume for housing granules and defining a flow path for a flow of granules, a valve assembly for controlling the flow path, and an actuator configured to actuate the valve assembly for dispensing the granules.

Abstract: A granule dispensing device is provided and includes a chamber having a predetermined volume for housing granules and defining a flow path for a flow of granules, a valve assembly for controlling the flow path, and an actuator configured to actuate the valve assembly for dispensing the granules.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus relates to a gardening tool comprising: a hollow shaft; a container in communication with the hollow shaft; a rake head located at a first end of the hollow shaft; an actuator located at a second end of the hollow shaft; a plunger located in an interior of the hollow shaft, and in communication with the actuator; an opening located on the rake head, the opening in communication with the interior of the hollow shaft; and wherein the plunger is configured move between a first position, where the plunger blocks granules within the container from entering the interior of the hollow shaft, and a second position, where the plunger allows granules within the container to enter the interior of the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A tool for injecting solid fertilizer spikes into soil for tree and plant root nutrition utilizing elongated brackets to reduce the step-up height, form a fertilizer load chamber and to provide for a spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism such that the tool is fully operable in an upright position wherein a fertilizer spike is left embedded in the ground and detached from the tool without the need to remove the tool from the ground in a manner where, with one process of downward movement of the foot bar, two functions occur simultaneously, namely; the full injection of the fertilizer spike into the soil concurrent with the full release of the fertilizer spike from the tool by the complete ejection of the fertilizer spike from the fertilizer spike load chamber and the spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism.

Abstract: A tool for injecting solid fertilizer spikes into soil for tree and plant root nutrition utilizing elongated 90° brackets to reduce the step-up height, form a fertilizer load chamber and to provide for a flat spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism such that the tool is fully operable in an upright position wherein a fertilizer spike is left embedded in the ground and detached from the tool without the need to remove the tool from the ground in a manner where, with one process of downward movement of the foot bar, two functions occur simultaneously, namely; the full injection of the fertilizer spike into the soil concurrent with the full release of the fertilizer spike from the tool by the complete ejection of the fertilizer spike from the fertilizer spike load chamber and the flat spring fertilizer spike retention mechanism.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing particulate matter includes a hollow elongate body having sidewalls extending between opposite first and second ends. First and second end seals seal the first and second ends respectively. The first end seal has an orifice through which the particular material, when stored in the body, is dispensed. A baffle is mounted within the first end, generally abutting against one side wall of the body. The baffle at least partially occludes the orifice and forms a pocket between the orifice and the baffle. A convoluted dispensing flow path is thereby formed for dispensing the particulate material from the body, around the baffle and out of the dispenser through the orifice.

Abstract: A seeding shovel sowing seeds one by one comprises a body, an adjusting rod buckled to a bottom of the body, and an actuating block for actuating the adjusting rod. A center of the shoveling portion has a slotted track for buckling an adjusting rod. A stopping piece is installed at a predetermined position of the shoveling portion. A bottom of the stopping piece has a through hole. Falling seeds may pass through the though hole. The slotted track has a portion coupled to the through hole. The portion is installed with an outlet. An adjusting rod passes through the portion between the handle and the shoveling portion. The top of the distal end of the adjusting rod is installed with an actuating block. Thereby, the actuating block can drive the adjusting rod to move reciprocally. When the user shovels, seeds are embedded into earth rapidly by one hand.

Abstract: A planting device includes a housing for engaging into soil and having a rear and two side walls, and a pivotal jaw pivotally secured to the housing and rotatable toward and away from the rear wall of the housing. The pivotal jaw and the side walls and the rear wall of the housing form an enclosed peripheral portion for preventing the soil from entering into the housing when the pivotal jaw is moved away from the rear wall of the housing. A conduit is secured on top of the housing, a tube secured to the housing and the conduit, and a handle adjustably secured to the tube.

Abstract: A dispenser for seed or feed having a tubular body with an interior volume and a dispensing opening at one end thereof, a handle affixed to the tubular body, a valve positioned within the interior volume adjacent the dispensing opening, and a button affixed to the handle and cooperative with the valve for opening the valve when the button is pushed and for closing the valve when the button is released. A line extends from the button through the interior of the handle and through the interior volume of the tubular body so as to be connected to the valve at the opposite end.

Abstract: The device for filling and leveling grass surfaces comprises a tube having an upper end and a lower end; a planar bottom chute extending across the lower end of the tube, the planar bottom chute being pivotaly mounted to the lower end of the tube; a handle assembly mounted at an upper end of the tube; a linkage mechanism connected between the handle assembly and the planar bottom chute; and a biasing device for biasing the handle assembly to exert a pulling force on the linkage mechanism to hold the planar bottom chute closely against the lower end of the tube whereby an operator can manipulate the handle assembly for moving the planar bottom chute toward and away from the lower open end of the tube for opening and closing the tube to facilitate dispensing of grass seed or a grass seed and earth mixture from the lower end of the tube and can level the seed or seed mixture with seed planar bottom chute.

Abstract: A sowing shovel for sowing seed gradually as the sowing shovel is used. The sowing shovel has a body, an adjusting rod at a bottom of the body, a plate for adjusting the adjusting rod to move reciprocally. The body has a concave shovel portion and a handle. The plate drives the adjusting rod to move forwards and backwards between a handle and a concave shovel portion so that some seeds are placed in the concave shovel portion of the sowing shovel in advance. When the plate is moved to drive the adjusting rod to move backwards, a space is formed for receiving falling seeds. When the user digs soil, seeds can be placed in the soil. Thus the sowing shovel can be operated easily and conveniently only by one hand.

Abstract: The device for filling and leveling grass surfaces comprises a tube having an upper end and a lower end; a planar bottom chute extending across the lower end of the tube, the planar bottom chute being pivotaly mounted to the lower end of the tube; a handle assembly mounted at an upper end of the tube; a linkage mechanism connected between the handle assembly and the planar bottom chute; and biasing means for biasing the handle assembly to exert a pulling force on the linkage mechanism to hold the planar bottom chute closely against the lower end of the tube whereby an operator can manipulate the handle assembly for moving the planar bottom chute toward and away from the lower open end of the tube for opening and closing the tube to facilitate dispensing of grass seed or a grass seed and earth mixture from the lower end of the tube and can level the seed or seed mixture with seed planar bottom chute.

Abstract: A seed planter for planting seeds in soil. The seed planter includes a container with opposite open front and back ends and front and rear end caps covering respective ends of the container. The front end cap has a hole therethrough. A gate is slidably mounted on the front end cap. The front end cap has an outwardly extending spout adjacent the hole of the front end cap.

Abstract: A gardening tool used for bulb planting having a frustoconically shaped earth removing portion with the approximate size and depth needed to remove enough soil to plant a bulb. The tool has a handle for holding onto the device and placing it on the ground for use without having to bend over. The tool also has a foot bar for ease of forcing the earth removing portion into the ground by standing on the foot bar. When the earth is removed and the bulb is placed in the ground, an actuating rod on the gardening tool is pulled to open the frustroconically shaped earth removing portion to deposit the soil therein on the bulb to complete the planting process.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly particularly adapted to selectively dispense predetermined amounts of dry fertilizer or other dry material onto an area of disbursement, such as a plant, and including an elongated dispensing conduit having a holding chamber of predetermined dimension connected thereto along with a control mechanism such that selective operation of the control mechanism will automatically dispense, by gravity, a premeasured amount of dry material onto the disbursement area. A double disk valve mechanism is provided having an inlet valve and an outlet valve simultaneously translatable to open one end of the holding chamber and close the respective other end. In an embodiment, the outlet valve is selectable from a plurality of valve plates to vary the dispensing amount. A gun-shaped valve mechanism is provided as the control mechanism in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A particle/seed dispenser is composed of a motor-spatula assembly and a base housing, or handle. The motor-spatula assembly includes two or more V-shaped spatulas and an electrical motor physically connected to a proximal end of each V-shaped spatula, or separate motors are connected to the respective spatulas. The motor rotor(s) is(are) eccentric, namely the rotational center of gravity of the rotor is not exactly co-axial with the axis of the rotor drive shaft so that when running the motor and the motor-spatula assembly vibrate. Successive first, second etc. spatulas extend from the base-housing, each under the previous, the successive spatulas being of increasing length so that particles poured into the first cascade out to the second, and in some cases from there to the third etc. For more effective singulation a series of dremples or rills are formed in the trough of each spatula.

Abstract: A seed dispenser is composed of a motor-spatula assembly and a handle. A switch, an adjustable resistor and a battery are enclosed in a hollow of the handle. The motor-spatula assembly includes a V-shaped spatula and an electrical motor elastically mounted to a proximal end of the V-shaped spatula, and the motor is connected via the switch and resistor to the battery. The motor rotor is eccentric so that the rotational center of gravity of the rotor is not exactly co-axial with the axis of the rotor drive shaft, to cause when running a vibration of the motor-spatula assembly at a dominant vibration frequency that is directly proportional to the speed of the rotor. Speed of the motor is adjustable by varying the resistor. The motor-spatula assembly mounted to the handle through a resilient elastomeric gasket, so that a substantial part of the motor vibration energy is transmitted to the spatula and not to the handle.

Abstract: A tool, for placement of predetermined amounts of granular fertilizer into the soil in a consolidated mass, provides an elongate body with a handle structure in its upper portion and a tubular fertilizer reservoir in its lower portion. The fertilizer reservoir defines an open upper portion for filling and slidably carries an associated tube for adjustment of the volume of a fertilizer charge. An angulated bottom portion of the reservoir allows insertion into the earth and carries a pivotally articulated cover to allow opening of the bottom portion of the reservoir for dispersement of a fertilizer charge. The lower medial portion of the tool body provides a pivotally mounted foot support to aid insertion of the fertilizer reservoir into the earth. Dispersement structure communicates from the pivotally articulated reservoir cover to the handle structure for opening of the cover from the handle area for dispersement of fertilizer.

Abstract: The valve (30) comprises at least two lateral openings (34, 36) which can be shut off by a plug (40) provided with an axial orifice (48) for the passage of gas, which plug slides axially in the casing (32) between a position in which the openings (34, 36) are shut off under the influence of a spring (44) and an open position counter to the action of the spring (44) under the influence of the pressure of the filling gas, and a level valve (52) activated by a float (62) at the bottom of the casing (32).In order to prevent pressure from building up inside the casing (32) after closure, the latter is provided with escape orifices (50) which are associated with resilient opening means (64).

Abstract: A seed planter having a seed drop tube entrance opening (Bracket 10), connected to a seed drop tube (Bracket 12) with a planter assembly (Bracket 14) leading to seed release bracket and lever assembly (Bracket 16), attached to a flexible wire cable (Bracket 18) and bracket with cable pulley assembly (Bracket 20), utilizing compression springs with stud assembly (Bracket 22) and a hinged soil penetrator and seed release gate assembly (Bracket 24).

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously drilling multiple holes in the earth in a selected pattern and dispensing a selected quantity of fertilizer into each hole. A support adapted to be carried by a vehicle, such as a farm tractor, carries two frameworks parallel to the vehicle track and selectively spaced from the vehicle track centerline. Each framework carries a carriage on which plural drilling assemblies are mounted. The positions of the drilling assemblies relative to each other is adjustable. The carriage is vertically moveable to allow the drilling assemblies to simultaneously drill plural holes. A dispensing assembly on the framework includes an adjustable metering device for dispensing a selected quantity of fertilizer into each hole.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held fertilizer dispenser. The dispenser is tapered in shape, tapering into a small side discharge opening to place the fertilizer exactly where desired. A pivoted handle is provided at the top which allows it to be carried at arm's length to avoid contact with chemicals. A spring loaded trigger pulls a plate upwardly to open a side discharge opening. A retractable spike is used to hold the hopper in a vertical position while loading with fertilizer.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly particularly adapted to selectively dispense predetermined amounts of dry fertilizer or other dry material onto an area of disbursement, such as a plant, and including an elongated dispensing conduit having a holding chamber of predetermined dimension connected thereto along with a control mechanism such that selective operation of the control mechanism will automatically dispense, by gravity, a premeasured amount of dry material onto the disbursement area. A double disk valve means is provided having an inlet valve and an outlet valve simultaneously translatable to open one end of the holding chamber and close the respective other end. A gun-shaped valve means is provided as the control mechanism in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a quantity of granular fertilizer to an underground location. The device consists of an inner and outer tubular section with the inner tube being hollow. Both tubular sections have a lower pointed end and the inner tube is rotatably disposed within the outer tube. An inner opening and outer opening are located at the lower end of the inner and outer tubes. A funnel is provided on the inner tube as well as a handle which actuates the rotation of the inner tube. Another handle is provided on the outer tube. When the handles are in alignment the openings are not in alignment. This forms a solid outer tube. The inner tubular section is filled with fertilizer, the handles grasped firmly and the device is thrust into the ground. The inner handle is then rotated 90 degrees bringing the inner and outer openings into alignment. The device is then removed from the ground, leaving the fertilizer in the hole formed by the displaced soil.

Abstract: A manual dispenser for granular materials includes a hopper operably connected to one end of an elongated tube for material flow communication. The other end of the tube is closed and a material exit opening is provided in the side of the tube near the bottom end. A freely movable closure is disposed to normally close flow communication between the hopper and the tube. A removable cap is provided for the tube. The forceful manual movement of the tube in a vertical plane to a sudden stop effects the movement of the closure to permit material flow communication between the hopper and the tube for a limited time interval after which the closure is returned to its original position by gravity. During such time interval, material from the hopper will flow by gravity into the tube for passage out of the exit opening to be deposited at any selected point or along a linear path by manipulation of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for fertilizing soil includes a frame, a fertilizer storage canister and an earth drilling assembly which is movable relative to the frame and has a fluted, substantially vertical auger element. According to one aspect of the invention, a guide tube is provided to perform the dual function of guiding the auger element during drilling and guiding fertilizer into the hole once the auger element has been withdrawn. A second aspect of the invention regards a pre-measuring device which meters a predetermined amount of fertilizer into the guide tube upon actuation by an operator.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for transplanting of vegetables or other plants is provided which eliminates stoop labor while properly placing plants (142) within earth openings (84); at the same time, a measured quantity of liquid (42) is delivered to the opening (84). The apparatus (10) includes a pair of elongated, juxtaposed, frustoconical chamber (12, 14) each equipped with selectively actuatable stopper means (16, 18) adjacent the lower ends thereof. Actuation of a pivotal operating handle (90) simultaneously opens the stopper means (16, 18) for delivery of a plant (142) and liquid (42) to a plant site. An adjusting assembly (106) is provided for varying the amount of liquid (42) delivered during each transplanting operation.

Abstract: A manually operated seeder and gardening device has a storage hopper for seeds with a pressure activated valve therein to permit the passage of seed from the storage hopper onto the desired location. The arrangements of parts and relative sizes is such as to meter the seed to be deposited. An optional insert traversing the length of the hopper to allow for depositing of a growth aid at the moment of seed expulsion.

Abstract: A seed planter is provided for depositing seeds in the ground. The planter includes an elongate body having a handle at one end and a discharge passage at the other end. A hood opens and closes a discharge opening at the end of the passage and is connected to an actuating lever near the handle by linkages. A magazine is located between the handle and the discharge passage for holding seeds and supplying seeds to the passage as the actuating lever is manipulated. The magazine has a spring-loaded cover for closing off seed receptacles of the magazine and a cover latch is mounted on the handles for holding the cover open during loading of the receptacles.

Abstract: An upstanding tubular shank is provided and the lower end portion includes a tapered lower terminal end and a lateral opening formed therein closely spaced above the terminal end. A hollow poison reservoir is carried by and encircles a midportion of the shank intermediate the upper and lower end portions thereof and the midportion of the shank includes a lateral port opening into the interior of the reservoir for gravity flow of fluent poison material from the reservoir into the shank midportion and subsequent gravity flow downwardly through the shank into the lower end portion thereof and toward the lateral opening therein. A rotary valve member is oscillatably supported in the lower end portion of the shank and a valve actuator is oscillatably supported from the upper end of the shank.

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 three way garden tool comprising a hollow handle having an opening, a trowel and tamping member connected to one end of the hollow handle with the hollow handle being closed at its other end. A sleeve is slid over the hollow handle adjacent to the opening in the hollow handle to selectively cover the opening, expose a portion of the opening or expose the entire opening. The trowel and tamping member is flat and includes a plurality of digging teeth on at least one edge thereof to be used for digging up for example a bare spot in a grass lawn. Seed, for example grass seed, can be loaded through the aperture and into the hollow handle and retained therein by sliding the sleeve over the aperture. When a bare spot in a lawn is to be treated, the trowel and tamping tool is used to score and dig up the bare spot, the sleeve is moved over the hollow handle exposing a slot shaped portion of the opening and seed can be dropped from the opening and distributed over the bare spot.

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: A portable applicator for applying a dry fertilizer and/or insecticide material onto the surface of the earth adjacent a plant, and including an elongated essentially tubular body structure carrying at its upper end a container of the dry material andcontaining a passage through which the material flows downwardly to a bottom outlet under the control of a rotary valve element which is preferably actuated by a handle part serving the dual purposes of assisting in holding and manipulating the overall tool and also actuating the valve element when the handle grip is turned about its axis. The lower end of the body has fingers capable of cultivating the earth's surface for working the deposited dry material a short distance into that surface.

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.