Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) and Farming Superstructure Systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis, insects, and psilocybin mushrooms for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids, drugs, and chemicals for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, pet food, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a growing medium. The method comprises accumulating a particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The method further comprises agitating the particulate material. Agitation of the particulate material causes smaller particles of particulate material to sink to the bottom of the growing medium under gravity and to thereby displace larger particles of particulate material to the top of the growing medium. There is also provided a growing medium comprising a particulate material defining a volume of particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The concentration of smaller particles of particulate material increases from the bottom of the volume of the particulate material to the top of the volume of the particulate material. The concentration of larger particles of particulate material decreases from the bottom of the volume of particulate material to the top of the volume of particulate material.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a growing medium. The method comprises accumulating a particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The method further comprises agitating the particulate material. Agitation of the particulate material causes smaller particles of particulate material to sink to the bottom of the growing medium under gravity and to thereby displace larger particles of particulate material to the top of the growing medium. There is also provided a growing medium comprising a particulate material defining a volume of particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The concentration of smaller particles of particulate material increases from the bottom of the volume of the particulate material to the top of the volume of the particulate material. The concentration of larger particles of particulate material decreases from the bottom of the volume of particulate material to the top of the volume of particulate material.

A cocopeat substrate and its manufacturing method, includes the steps of: (a) mixing raw materials, part by mass, of 70-75 parts of cocopeat, 0-0.5 parts of pH regulator, 0-0.5 parts of rooting agent, 25-30 parts of modified diisocyanate and 20-35 parts of water uniformly by a mixer to form a premixed material; (b) immediately filling the premixed material into a mold and carrying out hot press curing to obtain a cured cocopeat substrate; and (c) drying with hot air to remove excess moisture, and then air cooling under room condition. The cocopeat substrate has an EC value less than or equal to 1.0, a pH value of 5.0-6.5, a porosity of 80-85%, and a density of 0.18-0.25g/cm.sup.3. The cocopeat substrate has a truncated pyramid structure and a planting hole functioning as a natural planting pot with slow natural decomposition rate, readily for use directly for growing seedlings.

A cocopeat substrate and its manufacturing method, includes the steps of: (a) mixing raw materials, part by mass, of 70-75 parts of cocopeat, 0-0.5 parts of pH regulator, 0-0.5 parts of rooting agent, 25-30 parts of modified diisocyanate and 20-35 parts of water uniformly by a mixer to form a premixed material; (b) immediately filling the premixed material into a mold and carrying out hot press curing to obtain a cured cocopeat substrate; and (c) drying with hot air to remove excess moisture, and then air cooling under room condition. The cocopeat substrate has an EC value less than or equal to 1.0, a pH value of 5.0-6.5, a porosity of 80-85%, and a density of 0.18-0.25g/cm.sup.3. The cocopeat substrate has a truncated pyramid structure and a planting hole functioning as a natural planting pot with slow natural decomposition rate, readily for use directly for growing seedlings.

A self-contained soil module, the soil module including a biodegradable outer frame forming the shape of the soil module, a biodegradable wrapping disposed within the biodegradable outer frame, a soil composition contained within the biodegradable wrapping and at least one plant seed of at least one type of plant disposed within the soil module.

Described is a hydroponic system wherein a feed formulation comprising a plant's nutritionally required mineral nutrients is applied to the foliage of the plant and the roots of the plant are in contact with an incomplete water solution that may comprise only hydrogen and oxygen. The feed formulation, methods of feeding a plant or plant seed, and plants produced thereby are also described.

A permeable floating concrete vessel for creating floating aquatic habitats is disclosed. The vessel includes an interior space to hold growth material and a plant. The vessels includes one or more channels so a root of the plant can extend through the channel and into a body of water in which the vessel is secured. The vessel is made from a buoyant material, such as water-permeable concrete material. In an exemplary embodiment the water-permeable concrete material includes a mixture of cement, glass microspheres, expanded glass aggregate, and microfibers. Two or more vessels may be connected together via a connecting member to form an array of the vessels.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an arid location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (SAP) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; placing the mat at the arid location; covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover; collecting urine in a water purification system; and providing purified water extracted from the urine to the mat. A water barrier can be placed below the mat. The cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or additional water barriers can be placed between mats in a stack. The opacity of the cover can be increased to emulate shade from natural vegetation. A water distribution system can be included for continued support of the vegetation, and can include a water reservoir and/or at least one solar still.

A quilted composite sheet containing seeds makes growing microgreens and other crops simple. Each sheet is a layered composite of multiple materials including seed, grow substrate and seed cover. A user can spread a seed quilt over the surface to be planted, water, wait, and harvest.