The invention relates to a plate-shaped structure for cultivating one or more plants. The plate-shaped structure (1) may optionally collect moisture from the atmosphere and comprises a generally flat upper surface (30) provided with a cavity (31, 32, 33) for holding plant material. The cavity has a sidewall (41, 42, 43) and a bottom portion (51, 52, 53). Further, the bottom portion includes an aperture (61, 62, 63) traversing the plate-shaped structure. In use, the plate shaped structure can cover a reservoir (10) or can be placed on the soil. Optionally, the plate-shaped structure comprises a drain opening (35) with a floating cap and a covering cap so as to allow moisture to flow through the drain opening while minimizing evaporation. Further, the plate-shaped structure may have a cap structure (84) at its periphery for clampingly receiving the upwardly extending exterior sidewall of the reservoir. The plate-shaped structure can be fixed to the reservoir using protrusions (57a-c. 58a-c) traversing corresponding openings.

Described herein are biodegradable, encircling protective devices used to protect seeds and saplings during their greatest vulnerability after germination while promoting growth of the sapling, preventing detritus and competing plants from fouling growth, and simultaneously fending off predation from herbivores or omnivores, which devices melt when exposed to controlled fire without harmful side effects.

A rose bush cover assembly for protecting a rose bush during inclement weather includes a wire frame that has a plurality of pointed ends and each of the pointed ends can be inserted into ground thereby anchoring the wire frame to the ground. Moreover, the wire frame has a cylindrical shape to surround a rose bush. A cone is molded over the wire frame to cover the rose bush when the wire frame is positioned around the rose bush. The cone is comprised of a thermally insulating material to protect the rose bush from cold temperatures. Additionally, the cone has a darkened color to absorb solar energy thereby warming the rose bush when the cone is positioned around the rose bush.

A plant cover device (630, 730) may include an enclosure (631, 731) having panels (204, 634A) coupled together to define a plant-receiving cavity. Each of the panels (204, 634A) has a major mesh surface (635A), and a seam (208, 302, 636A) extending along a peripheral edge (646A) of the major mesh surface (635A), Adjacent panels (634A) are coupled together at respective seams (636A). The enclosure (631, 731) may include a first fastener (637, 640) adjacent the peripheral edge (646A) of a respective panel (634A, 634B). The plant cover device (630, 730) may have a base (100, 632) coupled to the enclosure (631, 731) and including a solid major surface (638) extending radially outward, and a second fastener (637, 640) carried by the solid major surface (638) and extending radially. The plant cover device (630, 730) may also include a support (633, 733) extending vertically from a ground surface to an apex of the enclosure (631, 731). The first fastener (637, 640) and the second fastener (637, 640) may be aligned and configured to provide access to the plant-receiving cavity.

A plant protection guarding system is described comprising an upper sleeve that is configured, in use, to be positioned around a plants stem and to extend upwards from ground level; and a lower portion comprising one or more anchor portions configured, in use, to extend around a root system of the plant to anchor the plant protection sleeve after planting. Further aspects are described to a prepared plant assembly; methods of forming a plant assembly; methods of planting a plant using a planting tool and a prepared plant assembly.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a plant surround for forming a water retaining barrier around a plant, including a curved generally elongate body having opposing ends including cooperating engagement members that are configured to reversibly engage to thereby delineate said water retaining barrier and a locking member attached to said elongate body and configured to inhibit complete or partial disengagement of said opposing ends of the body. In other aspects, there is provided a biodegradable plant surround and a plant surround including irrigation hose engaging tabs.

A fill tube for a water filled plant protector is formed by folding the top edge of the outer wall of the protector between the inner and outer walls and capturing the edge with the welds that create the vertical columns. The protector is filled through a port in the tube. Air is vented as the columns fill with water through the open top of each column.

A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

A tree shelter comprising an elongate tubular body having a wall formed from a biodegradable material comprising a natural fibre substrate and a matrix of a natural binder in which the fibres are held.

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.