A gravity-driven plant cultivation system includes: (a) a frame; (b) a plurality of vertically stacked conveyor assemblies mounted to the frame. Each conveyor assembly includes at least one gravity conveyor extending along a conveyor axis. The conveyor axis slopes downwards relative to a horizontal plane from a frame upstream end to a frame downstream end of the frame. The system further includes (c) a plurality of plant cultivation trays rollingly supported on each gravity conveyor and urged to translate along a respective conveyor axis toward the frame downstream end via gravitational force.

In order to climatically optimise and keep as flexible as possible a sealed climate cell for plant cultivation in a plurality of layers which are arranged one over the other and which each have at least one plant cultivation container and a lighting platform arranged thereabove, it is proposed that a first climate system of the climate cell has at least one air bag, which runs in the height direction, is arranged within the climate cell, and is designed to supply air to the individual layers in the first cultivation region.

An automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that includes a horizontal-to-vertical grow tower interface between a vertical grow structure that includes vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, and a processing system that performs one or more processing operations—such as harvesting, cleaning and/or transplanting—on the grow towers in a substantially horizontal orientation. The present disclosure also describes an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture that selectively routes grow towers through various processing stages of an automated crop production system.

Horticulture systems and methods are disclosed. The systems include an air handling rack system comprising frame supply and return plenums, an input diffusion assembly physically supported by and fluidically coupled to the frame supply plenum, and a plant support tray assembly physically supported by and fluidically coupled to the frame return plenum. The input diffusion assembly is configured to direct a supply airflow flowing through the frame supply plenum downwardly from an underside thereof. The plant support tray assembly is positioned below the at least one input diffusion assembly to form an environmental cultivation chamber therebetween. The rack system is configured to direct the supply airflow through the environmental cultivation chamber from the input diffusion assembly to the plant support tray assembly past one or more plants positioned on a support side of the plant support tray assembly and into the frame return plenum as a return airflow.

A modular vertical cultivation wall system includes at least two vertical posts, at least one planter shelf including a planter flange and a planter web, and a plurality of wall panels. Each of the at least two vertical posts may be anchored and may include a post web and at least one post flange coupled thereto. The at least one planter shelf may be coupled to one of a plurality of wall panels, and is horizontally disposed. The at least one planter shelf may extend between the at least two vertical posts. At least one of the plurality of wall panels may be disposed above and coupled to another one of the plurality of wall panels, and at least one of the planter flange and the planter web may be coupled to at least one of: the post web and the at least one post flange.

A hydroponic growth system comprises grow tubes and a misting assembly. Each of the grow tubes, of a generally hollow cylindrical configuration, are mounted vertically on a support assembly and comprise openings configured on an outer surface of the grow tube for receiving receptacles containing plants. Each of the grow tubes comprise a top vent and a bottom vent. The misting assembly comprises spray tubes inserted into a middle section of the grow tubes to distribute and spray a nutrient solution into an inner surface of each of the grow tubes. The nutrient solution is absorbed by roots of the one or more plants extending into the inner surface of the grow tubes. Unused nutrient solution is drained into a sump positioned beneath the grow tubes via the bottom vents and recirculated within the misting assembly for spraying the nutrient solution to grow the plants.

A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

A gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, and a grow tower is positioned within the grow chamber and includes a module support frame including a plurality of vertical support members a plurality of mounting slots. A grow module defines a support body defining a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more plant pods, the grow module further including a plurality of mounting tabs configured for receipt within the plurality of mounting slots to removably mount the grow module to the module support frame.

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.

The present invention includes a plant holding unit for supporting a plant on a generally vertical member. A plant container held by plant holding unit is held below a plane approximately normal to the outer surface of the generally vertical member. The plant holding unit is configured to support a plant container on a generally vertical member. The plant holding unit includes an opening having an axis and a perimeter edge, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining a general direction of plant growth. The plant holding unit also includes a barrier extending generally vertically from and attached to the perimeter edge, wherein the barrier forms a water retaining area.