Abstract: A sub-surface irrigation method and apparatus includes a moisture control unit comprising a vessel having a float control chamber in which is mounted a float responsive valve for controlling the communication of water into the float chamber with passages for communicating the water to a surrounding reservoir, and vent means for venting the float chamber to atomospheric pressure to prevent vapor lock therein. The moisture control unit is connected to a source of water and located beneath the earth's surface in close proximity to plants to which moisture is to be supplied by a network of capillary channels for communicating the moisture at least in part by capillary action to moisture pits or traps spaced laterally from a moisture control unit and either adjacent to or below plants to which moisture is supplied. An impervious cover encloses the moisture control unit to prevent the intrusion of plant roots into the unit.

Abstract: Plants are containerized with a self-watering system by forming a water reservoir in the bottom of a container with a screen supported over the reservoir spaced from the water by means of a coarse growing medium received in the reservoir. Above the screen is a fine growing medium which, prior to initial introduction in the container, is prevented from dropping through the screen by means of a permeable easily decomposable sheet material such as filter paper placed over the screen. The roots of the plant are placed in the fine growing medium, however, due to the size of the mesh of the screen, specialized or water roots are developed which extend through the screen and into the reservoir to help feed the plant with water. The fine growing medium receives its water from the reservoir through means of one or more wicks which extend between the reservoir and the fine growing medium above the reservoir.

Abstract: A process for growing plants within a solar-heated enclosure through the use of a pool of water upon which containers are floated and moved beneath a light source. The pool of water provides support for the plants, facilitates their movement, and provides thermal mass for storage of solar heat.

Abstract: Prior to planting, a disc or plate is installed in the bottom of a container. The disc is porous or has a series of slits in various patterns to permit the disc to be trimmed to proper size to fit various sizes and shapes of containers, preferably with an upward curl near the sides. Shallow grooves in the top surface facilitate bending the curl. The slits also permit drainage of water without permitting dirt to enter the space below the disc. Slits in the bottom supplement the top slits and facilitate trimming and drainage. The bottom of the disc has legs which space the disc above the bottom of the container. At different spacings from the center are shallow cups having detachable bottoms. When the disc is in place, a tube is pushed through the outermost cup, pushing out the bottom so that the bottom end of the tube extends into the space below the disc. The top of the tube is cut off slightly above the surface of the soil in the container.

Abstract: A planter for plants comprising a lamp of the oil-burning type and comprising a glass base adapted to contain water, a burner having a wick extending therethrough, and a transparent chimney, the lower end of which is sealed relative to the perimeter of the burner and soil is disposed in at least the lower portion of said chimney and said wick extending into said soil to convey moisture from the base into said soil by capillary action.