An aerification system for a first excavation below a ground surface. The first excavation includes a porous first layer of a mixture of cement and particulate material, and an overlaying water permeable second layer. The system includes a basin, and a pumping system configured for pumping a fluid back and forth between the first excavation and the basin. The pumping system includes an air lift pump and is configured to raise or lower a height level of the fluid within the permeable material of the first excavation by pumping the fluid to or from the first excavation.

An aerification system for a first excavation below a ground surface. The first excavation includes a porous first layer of a mixture of cement and particulate material, and an overlaying water permeable second layer. The system includes a basin, and a pumping system configured for pumping a fluid back and forth between the first excavation and the basin. The pumping system includes an air lift pump and is configured to raise or lower a height level of the fluid within the permeable material of the first excavation by pumping the fluid to or from the first excavation.

A root irrigation apparatus includes a chamber including a first end, a second end, and, an irrigation aperture, a valve operably connected to the first end of the chamber, and, a cap configured to couple to the first end of the chamber.

A grow module, a plant growing system, and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The grow module comprises a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over a growing tray. The light tray includes a lighting array and at least one sensor. The growing tray is adapted to hold a plurality of plant vessels. The grow module comprises a machine-readable identification. The grow module is configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration. The lighting array on the light tray is configured to provide light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow module directly under said light tray.

A grow module, a plant growing system, and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The grow module comprises a plurality of tray modules including a light tray over a growing tray. The light tray includes a lighting array and at least one sensor. The growing tray is adapted to hold a plurality of plant vessels. The grow module comprises a machine-readable identification. The grow module is configured to hold the plurality of tray modules in a vertically stacked configuration. The lighting array on the light tray is configured to provide light to the plurality of plant vessels on the growing tray in the grow module directly under said light tray.

A device having a fertilizer base that is configured to be operable for distributing fertilizer to a surrounding soil. A collapsible or retractable umbrella is into engagement with the fertilizer base, wherein the umbrella is configured to provide shade for the plant. A bottom portion of a shaft section engages the fertilizer base and a top portion of the collapsible or retractable umbrella. The shaft section includes a tilting shaft that is operable to be tilted to provide partial or full shade to the plant proximal to the fertilizer base according to a sun's orientation or the plant's required amount of sunlight. An adapter coupling is configured to facilitate the engagement or separation of the shaft section with the fertilizer base and allow a user to add fertilizer to the cartridge area without uninstalling the device.

Methods and devices for growing plants in non-native environments and/or protecting crops from adverse weather conditions are disclosed in which sub-surface growing wells are used. The sub-surface growing wells extend below ground-level and include an opening that is exposed to above-ground conditions. The growing wells are outfitted with a well cap positioned above the well opening and the well cap can be moved either down to seal off the well from above-ground conditions or up to expose the well to above-ground conditions. The growing wells can be enhanced with a variety of control and monitoring systems to provide optimal growing conditions for plants contained in the wells.

A plant, in particular a Phalaenopsis orchid, provided with a hole into its stem, wherein the hole is accessible via an opening in an outer surface of the stem, wherein the hole allows the interior of the stem to be exposed to a substance entering the plant via the opening so that the substance can enter the interior of the stem, wherein the hole has a dimension in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem which is larger than a maximum dimension of the opening providing access to the hole in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and wherein the diameter of the opening is above 2 mm, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the stem of the plant, the hole extends in a direction away from the roots of the plant and also in a direction towards the roots of the plant.

A plant, in particular a Phalaenopsis orchid, provided with a hole into its stem, wherein the hole is accessible via an opening in an outer surface of the stem, wherein the hole allows the interior of the stem to be exposed to a substance entering the plant via the opening so that the substance can enter the interior of the stem, wherein the hole has a dimension in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stem which is larger than a maximum dimension of the opening providing access to the hole in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and wherein the diameter of the opening is above 2 mm, wherein in the longitudinal direction of the stem of the plant, the hole extends in a direction away from the roots of the plant and also in a direction towards the roots of the plant.

A slow-release irrigation device having a housing with an open and closed end, and a water reservoir located therein, a circumferential channel located proximal to the open end providing a watertight engagement with a neck opening of a beverage container, a water channel connected to the water reservoir and having a water receiving inlet and an outlet for directing water into the water reservoir while simultaneously operating as a water seal for the housing, a housing water outlet located between the ends of the housing and directly connecting the water reservoir with the external environment, an air channel located within the housing, an air tube connecting the water reservoir to an interior of the container; and a permeable membrane located within the air channel and controlling the passage of air through an air outlet of the air tube.