Waterproof and UV (ultraviolet) radiation blocking protective cover (1) for hanging fruit, CHARACTERIZED by a sheet (10) made of an expanded polyethylene material that blocks ultraviolet radiation (EPE-UV), whose shape is a flat geometric figure, with a main straight cut (11) running from the midpoint to the edge of the sheet and an arrangement of cuts and grooves that make up the attachment system when the cover is fitted on the fruit.

Polyethylene spunbond nonwoven date-bunch covers are an urgently needed, price-competitive alternative to mesh covers made of synthetic monofilament yarn. They are the first improvement to the ideal date-bunch cover that USDA researchers theorized seventy years ago, by adding dust and mold spore exclusion, yet providing sufficient shade and vapor transmission for proper ripening. Black mold is insignificant even under close tree spacing and wet summer conditions. The lowered temperature and increased humidity inside the cover promotes pliable, smooth skin instead of dry and brittle as commonly occurs with covers made of monofilament mesh fabric. Covers made of polyethylene spunbond nonwoven fabric are lighter, less abrasive, compress easier, and thus are far more user-friendly. Ripe dates can be held on-tree longer than was ever possible before without accumulating dust or losing quality, which renders unnecessary the labor-intensive practice of multiple pickings, and saves cold storage costs.

A frost shield device may include a base having blocks. At least some of the blocks each may define a first through passageway and a second through passageway. The frost shield device may have poles, each pole having a first end to be received by one of the first through passageway and the second through passageway, and a second end. The frost shield device may also include a top ring coupled to the second ends of the poles, and a cover layer configured to extend from the base to the top ring, thereby covering a plant within the base.

An apparatus for planting a seedling (3) in an arid area comprises a vertical, downwardly tapering shroud (20) and a seedling plug (1) comprising a body of growing medium covered by a moisture resistant cap (14) which preferably is sealingly received in a lower region (22) of the shroud. The lower region of the shroud surrounding the upper portion of the seedling is buried beneath ground level (51) with at least one water reservoir (40, 200) and supplied with water via capillary wicks (43), the reservoir being buried beneath ground level and covered by a moisture resistant cover (60) which sealingly surrounds the shroud. The shroud extends above ground level to protect and shade the seedling and together with the cap (14) and cover (60) serves to retain moisture in the planting region for the first year of growth.

The following invention is a system for protecting tall bamboo plants from winter weather. The system includes several improvements over existing plant covers. It uses a simple method involving a vertical funnel for covering bamboo. A two-piece funnel is clamped around the base of the bamboo. A long strip of fabric with hook and loop on both sides is connected to the bottom of the funnel. The funnel is then pulled by a rope to the top of the bamboo. The hook and loop is fastened around the bamboo while the funnel is raised. A wireless relay allows the funnel and sleeve to be remotely disconnected. For extra cold protection and aesthetic beauty, Christmas lights can easily be included inside the cover.

A tree trunk guard is being configured in a semi-circle shape. The tree trunk guard includes a minor semi-circle edge having a first minor semi-circle edge endpoint and a second minor semi-circle edge endpoint, a major semi-circle edge having a first major semi-circle edge endpoint and a second major semi-circle edge endpoint, a first edge configured to be positioned between the first minor semi-circle edge endpoint and the first major semi-circle edge endpoint, and a second edge configured to be positioned between the second minor semi-circle edge endpoint and the second major semi-circle edge endpoint.

Shelters for enhancing the growth of trees by protecting tree trunks from damaging sunlight. The shelters include a longitudinal tubular structure having a top edge and a bottom edge. The shelters includes a conduit extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the shelter. The longitudinal tubular structure may be formed from a polymeric material including a pigment selected to block at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation. The polymeric material including the pigment blocks at least about 30% of electromagnetic radiation at any wavelength from about 200 nm to about 2500 nm.

Bottomless in-ground plant containers with watering-wells that are open at both ends that are both functional and decorative. The above-ground portions, the watering-well bowls, of these present embodiments have faux decorative pavers that add support in keeping the watering-wells above ground-level. The bottom, below-ground portions, the well barrels, have two attached horizontal flanges permanently attached to their bases to help prevent upward and downward movement, as-well-as adding extra stability in keeping the watering-well bowls above ground-level. These non-organic watering-well bowls replace the organic soil watering-wells; and these in-ground plant-containers with watering-wells are for conserving water and the localized containment of water contaminated by pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

An in-ground plant container with watering-well that is open at both ends and is functional and decorative. The above-ground portion of this present embodiment has a circular watering-well bowl that is surrounded by a removal-able twist-ring rim that is both functional and decorative. The twist-ring along with several aspects of this embodiment work together to keep the plant container's watering-well bowl above ground-level. The bottom, below-ground portion, has vertical fins to prevent lateral rotation of plant container from repeated twist-ring removal and re-attachment; and two attached horizontal flanges also help to prevent upward and downward movement. The non-organic watering-well bowl replaces the organic soil-watering-well. This in-ground plant container with watering-well is for conserving water, and the containment of water contaminated by pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.