A seed storage device comprising a plurality of pods connected sequentially. Each pod is adapted to store one or more seeds and adapted to be breachable to facilitate releasing the seeds to a planting location. An associated method of storing seeds comprising placing one or more seeds into a pod of the seed storage device, and an associated method of planting seeds using the seed storage device, are also provided. A completed seed kit comprising the seed storage device with one or more seeds stored in one or more of the pods is also provided.

The system includes a pre-fabricated garden seedsheet, with seeds and soil embedded in water-soluble pods within a weed barrier fabric. Each water-soluble pod is fabricated from dissolvable material, which are affixed together to form cavities in which seeds and soil are applied. The pods are then affixed to the weed barrier matrix in an arrangement dictated by the plant algorithm. Upon contact with water, the pods rapidly dissolve, thereby beginning the germination process in which the seeds sprout and emerge through the aligned openings in the weed barrier fabric. The selection of plants and their physical arrangement within each seedsheet may be determined by a software-driven plant algorithm that extrapolates plant characteristics, environmental requirements, and companion benefits. The algorithm may be used both on the customer-facing software program, as well as the in-house design process to create pre-designed seed sheets.

A device for protecting crop plants (P) and/or sown seeds (S) against unwanted plants is provided to avoid the use of chemical weed control agents or herbicides. The device includes a ribbon or lace-shaped structure on which a plurality of annular elements are arranged at a distance from one another, in which the structure is designed to be applied to a cultivated surface (F) such that each element encloses the location (O) of a crop plant (P) or sown seed (S), and wherein each element includes a detectable means for marking the location concerned (O1, O2, . . . On) for detection by a machine for controlling mechanical weed control mechanisms. The device is thus an auxiliary or marking means which can be easily applied on the cultivated surface along the row of plants or seeds and allows reliable detection by machine of the locations of plants or seeds, zones to be protected.

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 canola seed sample crusher features a frame, and a drum rotatably carried on the frame and having an array of seed pockets on an outer periphery thereof. The seed pockets are sized and shaped to receive individual canola seeds respectively therein. A pathway is arranged to receive a length of adhesive tape and guide the tape over the seed pockets in the outer periphery of the drum during rotation thereof to adhesively collect the sample of canola seeds from the seed pockets onto the adhesive tape. A crushing mechanism is carried on the frame and operatively installed at a position along the pathway to crush the sample of canola seeds collected on the adhesive tape during passage of the tap tape through the crushing mechanism.

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 seed tape has seeds embedded at a spacing distance from one another in a tubular sleeve. There is provided a seed tape, a seed tape system, and a greening or planting system, which can be provided easily, which are environmentally friendly and with which various objects can be greened easily, efficiently and durably. The novel seed tape has a tubular sleeve which is a textile tube, which encloses the seeds in a stretched manner before and/or during the germination of the seeds and is unstretched between the seed positions. The seeds embedded in the textile tube are embedded in at least one substrate and/or are in contact with at least one substrate. The substrate is or includes potting soil and/or the substrate is formed of at least one fibrous and/or foamed organic or mineral material.

In various exemplary embodiments, a seed mat for insertion into an apparatus for growing plants is provided, wherein the seed mat includes a carrier substrate and seeds, wherein the seeds are fixed on the carrier substrate by means of an adhesive. Furthermore, a method for producing a seed mat in various exemplary embodiments may include: applying an adhesive on a carrier substrate; applying seeds on the carrier substrate provided with the adhesive; and fixing the seeds by the adhesive on the carrier substrate.

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.