A hydration system for an indoor gardening appliance includes a pressurized water supply including a pump assembly for pressurizing an accumulator and an auxiliary nozzle in fluid communication with the pressurized water supply. An auxiliary valve assembly is operably coupled to the auxiliary nozzle for selectively directing an auxiliary flow of water from the accumulator onto the plant pods when power is lost to the gardening appliance.

A lighting system for a vertical farm can include a plurality of modules configured to be stacked and removably coupled physically and electrically to one another by at least one overhead robot. Each of the plurality of modules can include at least one physical and electrical connector. At least some of the modules can include one or more lighting elements.

Methods, platform and receptacles, such as a composting and retail platform facilitating multipurpose use of receptacles, characterized in that the platform manages cat litter sales, uses multipurpose receptacles for shipping of cat litter, for composting, and for an additional use when filled and readied for composting.

Methods, platform and receptacles, such as a composting and retail platform facilitating multipurpose use of receptacles, characterized in that the platform manages cat litter sales, uses multipurpose receptacles for shipping of cat litter, for composting, and for an additional use when filled and readied for composting.

An insertable planter system may include a container and an insert. A container may include a rim, an outer wall comprising an inner surface, a bottom portion comprising a floor, wherein the inner surface and floor may define a liquid reservoir. The floor may further include a positioning structure. An insert may include a lip, a sidewall, and a bottom. The sidewall and bottom may define a plant chamber. The insert may further include a complementary supporting structure, such that the container receives the insert so that the insert can be rotated into a suitable orientation where the complementary supporting structure of the insert engages the positioning structure of the container. A plant delivery method or system including such inserts, and a computer readable medium containing instructions for same.

An insertable planter system may include a container and an insert. A container may include a rim, an outer wall comprising an inner surface, a bottom portion comprising a floor, wherein the inner surface and floor may define a liquid reservoir. The floor may further include a positioning structure. An insert may include a lip, a sidewall, and a bottom. The sidewall and bottom may define a plant chamber. The insert may further include a complementary supporting structure, such that the container receives the insert so that the insert can be rotated into a suitable orientation where the complementary supporting structure of the insert engages the positioning structure of the container. A plant delivery method or system including such inserts, and a computer readable medium containing instructions for same.

An indoor gardening appliance includes a grow module positioned within a grow chamber for receiving one or more plant pods. The indoor gardening system includes a sealed system and an air circulation system for conditioning air within the grow chamber, a hydration system for selectively hydrating plants, and a lighting system for providing growth lighting. A controller is configured to detect a vacation condition corresponding to a period of decreased usage of the indoor gardening appliance, e.g., based on a user command or period of inactivity, and adjust at least one operating parameter of the indoor gardening appliance in response to detecting the vacation condition, e.g., to reduce energy consumption, conserve water, and slow plant growth.

A planter for detachably affixing and securing a pot and plant in a vertical orientation relative to a tree, the planter adapted to allow the tree to grow through the planter and blend in with surrounding vegetation.

A planter for detachably affixing and securing a pot and plant in a vertical orientation relative to a tree, the planter adapted to allow the tree to grow through the planter and blend in with surrounding vegetation.

The invention concerns an outdoor bio-tower (10) for placing in a garden or on a patio, wherein the bio-tower (10) promotes biodiversity in outdoor environments. The bio-tower (10) comprises a framework defining a plurality of compartments each providing separate habitats suited to different species of flora, fauna, micro-organisms and/or fungi. The compartments include at least a first internal dry compartment with an access for creatures requiring a dry habitat, and at least one separate second internal wet compartment containing a tray (27) which may retain water and access for creatures requiring a wet habitat. The two internal compartments are surrounded at least in part by external compartments filled with a growing medium, such as soil, that serve for growing plants and that offer insulation to the internal compartments.