Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining optimum placement, within a grow space, of plants of different varieties. Sets of reference environmental setpoints each correspond to a desired predicted performance of a respective plant variety. Environmental condition metrics at different positions within the grow space are determined. An allocation of the plants is determined among different volumetric regions within the grow space based on predicted performance of the plant varieties as a function of position within the grow space.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for controlling irrigation of plant media in a grow space in response to measurement of condensed water from air in the grow space. Irrigation supply volume may be set in response to a volume based on the measurement of the condensed water. The condensed water may result from evaporation and transpiration in the grow space.

A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes a tower shuttle mechanism that provides operational flexibility by decoupling the loading and unloading operations of the grow towers from the vertical farming structure and, therefore, allowing multiple grow towers to be extracted for harvesting in a batch process before loading new grow towers into the vertical farming structure in a separate process.

A plant hanger assembly having multiple level plant trays, useful for growing plants in an upright configuration is provided for use with a trolley conveyor. A plurality of plant trays of selected size and shape are provided spaced apart along a vertical axis. A vertical support shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The plant trays may be circular in shape, with sloping sidewalls. The sloping sidewalls may be angled out sufficiently that the plant trays can be stacked in a nested configuration for storage. The plant trays include a base having grooved channels for transfer of water on the obverse side, and reinforcing ribs for strength, on the reverse side. Apertures between the obverse side and the reverse side allow excess water in an upper plant tray to drain downward into a plant tray therebelow. Shaft couplers are provided, with attachment rings or pins, to securely join the plant trays to the vertical support shaft. The plant hangers are adapted for attachment to and use with a trolley conveyor in a plant factory.

Vertical farming/gardening systems and methods of using. The systems include a track defining a path in which a change in elevation occurs, buckets pivotally secured to the track to travel along the path, and a moving mechanism for moving the buckets along the path. A first bucket has a cavity containing either a growing medium capable of supporting plants growing within the cavity or a solar collector for dehydrating plants within the cavity. One or more service stations located along the path of the track perform actions on the growing medium or the plants within the cavity of the first bucket as the first bucket travels along the path. One or more sensors analyze the growing medium or plants within the cavity of the first bucket. A master control unit controls the system including travel of the buckets along the path of the track.

A grow pod comprises a container having a sprinkler system, a water reclamation system, a climate control system, a control system, a security system and a plant drying system; and a method of water reclamation for subsequent use within the grow pod.

A plant cultivation system. The system utilizes a trolley conveyor for transport of plants in plant containers. The trolley conveyor uses straight runs of track connected by curved track portions. The straight runs of track of the trolley conveyor are spaced closely together. The trolley conveyor is used to move plant containers to a workshop for planting, fertilization, watering, cultivation, and harvesting of plants or portions thereof, and for packaging of plants or portions thereof for shipment.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining optimum placement, within a grow space, of plants of different varieties. Sets of reference environmental setpoints each correspond to a desired predicted performance of a respective plant variety. Environmental condition metrics at different positions within the grow space are determined. An allocation of the plants is determined among different volumetric regions within the grow space based on predicted performance of the plant varieties as a function of position within the grow space.

Hydroponic system for cultivating a crop, comprising a guide for guiding a plurality of carriers in a predetermined area, and wherein the guide is configured to guide the carriers in a first direction which extends from a first edge to a second edge of the area, wherein each carrier is configured to carry at least two parallel gutters, and wherein at least one of the at least two gutters is removable from the carrier, and wherein each gutter is configured to contain a plurality of crop units of the crop.

An adjustable lighting system and method are used to provide uniform exposure of light to plants in a vertical hydroponics system. The system and method utilize sensors, an adjustable lighting arrangement, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller measures light intensity within the vertical hydroponics system and adjusts the illumination of the lighting arrangement to provide an equal amount of illumination to the plants.