A method for growing plants includes both a seeder and a harvester both of which include arrangements for singulating the seeds and for measuring parameters of the seeds while singulated. This can be used for seeding selected seeds and for harvesting particular plants. The system operates by correlating information from the individual seeded seeds and from the harvested seeds in respect of a particular location on the growth medium and may include information relating the growth medium at the location. The location can be determined by seeding the plants in patterns which can be detected by a reader on the harvester. The system can be used to control selection of seeds to take into account soil conditions at the plant.

A method for growing plants includes both a seeder and a harvester both of which include arrangements for singulating the seeds and for measuring parameters of the seeds while singulated. This can be used for seeding selected seeds and for harvesting particular plants. The system operates by correlating information from the individual seeded seeds and from the harvested seeds in respect of a particular location on the growth medium and may include information relating the growth medium at the location. The location can be determined by seeding the plants in patterns which can be detected by a reader on the harvester. The system can be used to control selection of seeds to take into account soil conditions at the plant.

A system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the fare time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.

A system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the future time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.

A seedling-package forming system includes a first conveyor including a first track and a first sheet arranged on the first track. A second conveyor is located at a downstream position and includes a second track and a second sheet arranged to lie on the second track. The second track is configured to transport the second sheet toward the first sheet. The first sheet and the second sheet are packed around a plurality of seedlings to form a seedling package.

A seed label including a label layer removably attached to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, and at least one seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer. The label layer may be made of a biodegradable material. The adhesive layer may be a dry release-clean release adhesive layer. The label layer may include water-based ink printing thereon. The adhesive layer may be a water-based adhesive. The seed label may be removably affixed to a package. The seed label may be disposable in a container for germinating the seeds. A method of manufacturing a seed label, includes providing a label layer, automatically placing at least one seed on one side of the label layer, and automatically attaching the label layer to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, with the seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer.

Systems and methods for producing seed pillows are disclosed herein. An exemplary system may include a first water-soluble film that is configured to receive a seed cluster, and a second film. The exemplary system may further include an ultrasonic welding wheel and a roller with a plurality of recesses located on an outer rim of the roller. Each recess of the plurality of recesses may include a hole through which suction is applied, and each seed cluster may be disposed over a recess. The roller may be configured to apply suction to the first water-soluble film, rotate through a contact point with the ultrasonic welding wheel to fuse the first water-soluble film to the second film without contacting the seed cluster to create a seed pillow, and release the seed pillow from the recess.

A seedling planter is configured to plant a plurality of seedlings in ground. The seedling planter includes a vehicle body, a seedling-storage unit, and a seedling-distribution unit. The seedlings are held together in the form of a seedling package that is stored within the seedling-storage unit. The seedling-distribution unit is configured to separate each seedling from the seedling package and plant each seedling in the ground as the vehicle body travels across the ground. A method includes forming the seedling package.

The present invention relates to a growing system for hydroponics, comprising a gutter and a tape, wherein the gutter is open at the top and comprises a receptacle for a fluid that extends along the longitudinal direction of the gutter and wherein the tape is fixed in the gutter in an upright position in the longitudinal direction of the gutter and partially extends beyond the open top and wherein the tape is for holding or supporting propagating material. The propagating material comprises for example seeds, germinated seeds, seedlings, plantlets or cuttings. In use, the tape is in contact with a fluid in the receptacle for wicking the fluid through the tape. In a preferred embodiment, the tape comprises at least two layers that are partially held together but are preferably not held together at the part that extends beyond the open top of the gutter. The invention further relates to a method of growing plants using the growing system.

A system for growing plants, the system may include a substrate having one or more weakened areas or openings: one or more grow portions coupled to the substrate and situated at the one or more weakened areas or openings and having at least one seed or plant; and/or a fluid distribution portion coupled to the substrate and configured to provide fluid to the one or more grow portions. The system may further include a method of operation including one or more acts of: obtaining a weather forecast for a future time period; determining whether rain is expected during the future time period; and preventing, terminating, or restricting an irrigation cycle when it is determined that rain is expected during the future time period. The restricting may restrict a flow of liquid during the irrigation cycle or shorten the irrigation interval.