METHODS FOR CULTIVATION USING PROTECTED GROWING WELLS AND RELATED STRUCTURES

Abstract

Methods and devices for growing plants in non-native environments and/or protecting crops from adverse weather conditions are disclosed in which sub-surface growing wells are used. The sub-surface growing wells extend below ground-level and include an opening that is exposed to above-ground conditions. The growing wells are outfitted with a well cap positioned above the well opening and the well cap can be moved either down to seal off the well from above-ground conditions or up to expose the well to above-ground conditions. The growing wells can be enhanced with a variety of control and monitoring systems to provide optimal growing conditions for plants contained in the wells.

Claims

1. A device for growing plants, the device comprising: a well formed at least partially below ground-level, the well having an opening extending to or above ground-level and one or more walls extending below ground-level; a well cap positioned above the well opening, wherein the well cap is configured to move between a first position directly in contact with the one or more walls and a second position at a distance above the one or more walls; and a vent formed in the well wall, wherein the vent is adjustable to allow water to flow into the well and to prevent water from flowing into the well.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the well includes one wall having a circular cross-section.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the well includes at least two walls.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls extend at least partially below a water table and the vent is formed in the well wall below the water table.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the well wall includes at least two vents.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is at least one foot above the one or more walls when in the second position.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one strut configured to move the cap between the first position and the second position.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is implemented with a transparent or an opaque material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is convex.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pump positioned in a base of the well, wherein the pump is configured to adjust an amount of water present in the well.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one moveable platform positioned horizontally or vertically within the well.

12. A plurality of devices as recited in claim 1.

13. A growing well for hydroponically growing a plant, the growing well comprising: an underground structure having at least one wall, wherein the underground structure is configured to internally retain water; a horizontally-oriented platform affixed to the at least one wall of the underground structure, wherein the horizontally-oriented platform has an opening formed to accommodate a trunk of the plant; a first set of adjustable straps affixed to the platform and extending underneath the platform, wherein the set of adjustable straps is configured to support a rootball of the plant; and a second set of adjustable straps affixed to the platform and extending above the platform, wherein the second set of adjustable straps are connected to a collar sized to fit around the trunk of the plant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1A illustrates a map of the world marked to identify the geographic regions in which cocoa can be grown.

[0041] FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate specific growing regions for a graphically limited crop. In particular, FIG. 1B illustrates the current growing regions in the Ivory Coast and Ghana for cocoa production and FIG. 1C illustrates the projected growing regions in these countries by the year 2050.

[0042] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary plants experiencing different conditions that can contribute to limited crop geo-diversity. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates a plant experiencing high winds; FIG. 2B illustrates a plant experiencing improper sunlight exposure; FIG. 2C illustrates a plant experiencing improper heat and humidity; and FIG. 2D illustrates a plant experiencing improper water conditions.

[0043] FIGS. 3A-3B depict features of exemplary growing wells, configured in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure. In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary growing well and FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of multiple plants positioned in an exemplary growing well.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary growing well configured to grow plants hydroponically.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an example control and power system that can be used in connection with the disclosed growing wells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is shown a map of various geographical regions in which certain crops can be grown. Specifically, the map of FIG. 1A shows the restricted geography in which Cocoa is grown. Cocoa is very particular with respect to certain environmental conditions required to grow productively. Currently, in the world, the primary regions in which Cocoa is grown are restricted to Central America 103, South America rain forests 104, regions of Central Africa 105, and some limited geographies in Asia Pacific 106.

[0047] Furthermore, some of the indigenous regions in which certain crops currently grow are shrinking due to climate change and man-made incursions. The regions in which crops like coffee, bananas, and cocoa are grown shrink annually.

[0048] FIG. 1B illustrates the current growing regions in the Ivory Coast and Ghana for cocoa production and FIG. 1C illustrates the projected growing regions in these countries by the year 2050. As is shown in the map of the Ivory Coast/Ghana 100, the current land available for Cocoa farming is shrinking 101 as climate change 102 affects the regional climate. This reduction in viable lands contrasts with the increase global demand for crops like cocoa. Unfortunately, many of these geo-selective crops have such specific growing needs that the ability to grow them in other regions of the world has been and continues to be unsuccessful.

[0049] Referring now to the plants illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D, several conditions that contribute to the inability of certain crops to function in non-native geographies are depicted. As shown in FIG. 2A, some plants 200 are very susceptible to high winds 201 that cause damage 202 and loss of plant matter 203. Often such plants 200 must grow under the protection of other plants or natural wind barriers.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2B, some plants 205 are susceptible to sunlight 204, whether it be too much or too little. Improper sunlight exposure can cause plants to suffer stress and lose plant matter 206.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2C, other plants 207 require very specific levels of heat 209 and humidity 208 to thrive. High or low temperature conditions can cause a lack of production for the plant or the loss of production due to crop or plant damage. This is commonly seen when cold weather strikes warmer climates, causing fruit and vegetables to incur frost damage.

[0052] Lastly, some plants 211 require significant amounts of water 210 in order to produce, as shown in FIG. 2D. Without natural water sources, farmers have to spend capital and time bringing water to the plants in order to support production.

[0053] The presently disclosed and described growing wells as well as supporting devices and related methods advantageously permit sensitive plants, such as cocoa plants, to be grown in regions other than those currently known to be suitable for unaided growth at ground level. FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example growing well 330 and FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of plants arranged in an example growing well as presently disclosed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the growing well 330 is formed at least partially below ground-level 332. The well 330 also has an opening 334 that extends to or extends above ground-level 332 and one or more walls 304 extending below ground-level 332. In some embodiments, the one or more walls 304 of the well 330 also extend at least partially below a water table under ground 300.

[0054] In some embodiments, the well 330 has a circular cross-section and includes a single wall 304. However, in other embodiments, the well 330 has a triangular, rectangular, or other polygon-shaped cross-section with three or more walls 304. Similarly, the well opening 334 may be circular, triangular, rectangular, polygon shaped, or irregularly shaped. Numerous configurations are possible and contemplated herein.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3A, the well 330 extends below ground 300 using walls 304 to create hollowed out space(s) in which crops 305 can be grown. The wall(s) 304 of the growing wells 330 may, in some embodiments, be configured to protrude above the ground 300 in order to protect against any additional material or water falling into the well 330 and as supports for the well cap 306 (discussed in detail in later paragraphs) when closed. The depth of the growing well 330 may be selected based on the overall mature plant height.

[0056] The growing wells 330 may be dug in geographies with a relative high water table. In some such embodiments, the wall(s) 304 may include one or more water flow vents 313 formed in the wall(s) 304 to control the flow of water into the well bottom 314. For example, in some embodiments, one or more water flow vents 313 may be formed in the well wall 304 at a position below the water table. In these and other embodiments, the one or more vents 313 may be adjustable to both allow water from the water table to flow into the well 330 and to prevent water from the water table from flowing into the well 330.

[0057] In some embodiments, crushed stone 303 or another type of silt filtering material may be positioned adjacent to the one or more walls 304 to keep the water flow vents 313 from clogging. Water let into the well 330 can be used to grow plants via hydroponics 317 or soil-based techniques. Water levels in the growing well 330 may, in some embodiments, be controlled by a combination of the natural consumption of the plant, evaporation, and pumps 315 placed in the base of the growing well. If present, one or more pumps 315 may be configured to adjust the amount of water present in the well 330.

[0058] Above the opening 334 of the well 330 is a removable cap 306. Cap 306 is configured to move between a first position in which the cap 306 is directly in contact with the one or more walls 304 and a second position in which the cap 306 is positioned at a distance above the one or more walls 304. In some embodiments, the cap 306 may be at least one foot, two feet, three feet, or more above the one or more walls 304 when in the second position.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, struts 310 may be used to move cap 306 from between the first position and the second position. Specifically, if present, struts 310 may be used to raise and lower the cap 306 with respect to the well 330. Being able to move cap 306 to effectively open and close the well 330 to above-ground variables can be very helpful. For example, cap 306 can be closed during unsafe environmental situations but raised during normal growing conditions to affect air flow and to allow pollinators access to crops.

[0060] In some embodiments, cap 306 may include one or more air vents 307 which can be opened to equalize air pressure and allow for additional air flow when required. Cap 306 may, in some embodiments, be implemented with a transparent or opaque material, as desired. The material used to form cap 306 can be selected to either filter or capture light 309, which can provide both light control and redirection capabilities for cap 306.

[0061] Cap 306 may, in some embodiments, be configured to imitate natural growing conditions of certain plants that grow in the cover of other crops, for example, Cocoa which grows in the cover of tree groves. Using a cap 306 with light filtering capabilities can reduce the cost and maintenance associated with having to grow additional plants for light filtration purposes. In some embodiments, the cap 306 may be couplable to light-blocking material to allow for adjustable light transmission to the well 330. In these and other embodiments, cap 306 may be fitted with one or more solar cells to provide for additional solar energy collection.

[0062] In some embodiments, moveable platforms 316 may be positioned inside the well 330. Moveable platforms, if present, may be used for a variety of functions such as, for example, support structures for the crops and walking platforms for harvesting. Moveable platforms 316 may, in some embodiments, fit into hooks set into the wall(s) 304 of the growing wells 330, thereby allowing the platforms 316 to be positioned and/or moved both vertically and horizontally within the well.

[0063] In some embodiments, the growing wells 330 may be fitted with one or more sensors 318 and/or cameras connected to control systems 302, which may be used to monitor the conditions inside and outside of the growing well 330. If present, these control systems 302 can be remotely accessed via a network 301 as needed. In some embodiments, heating and chilling systems 312 may be placed in the growing well 330 to offset extreme temperature conditions and keep the crops at optimal growing temperatures. For low light conditions, additional lighting 319 can also be provided in the well 330, as shown in FIG. 3A. Power for the devices/systems present in well 330 can be supplied by either normal utilities or alternative energy sources, such as solar 311.

[0064] The disclosed growing wells 330 can be designed to hold individual plants or constructed to hold multiple plants in a single well 330. FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of an example well 330 configured to hold multiple plants 320. As shown in FIG. 3B, well 330 includes a divider 321 to provide separation and support for plants 320. FIG. 3B also shows an internal wall 322 that surrounds plants 320 within well 330. In some embodiments, internal wall 322 may be positioned within wall 304 or, in other embodiments, internal wall 322 may serve as the only wall separating the ground 300 from the well 330. In embodiments in which internal wall 322 separates the ground 300 from the well 330, internal wall 322 may have any of the features previously described herein with respect to wall 304.

[0065] It should be appreciated upon consideration of the subject disclosure that, in some embodiments, a plurality of wells 330 (and caps 306) as previously described herein may be used in tandem to facilitate plant growth on a large scale. In some such embodiments, water and climate control features within the wells 330 (as discussed in previous paragraphs) may each be in communication with a central control unit, which can be used to easily control conditions within the wells. Furthermore, in some such embodiments, caps 306 may each be mounted individually or mounted to a common structure to allow for individual or coordinated movement of the caps 306 relative to the wells 330. Numerous growing well arrangements are possible and contemplated herein.

[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates a growing well 401 uniquely configured to hydroponically grow a plant using a combination of braces and straps. It should be understood that well 401 may have any combination of features previously discussed herein with respect to well 330. As shown in FIG. 4, well 401 houses plant 400. The plant rootball 404 is suspended under a platform 402 which has an opening in it to allow the plant 400 to grow vertically and for the trunk to expand as the plant matures. As shown in FIG. 4, the rootball 404 may be suspended under the platform 402 with a set of adjustable straps 405 which allow the grower to change the amount of the rootball 404 that comes in contact with the water 403. Above the platform is another set of adjustable straps 406 which are connected to an expandable, low-friction collar 407. These straps are used to maintain the vertical orientation of the tree as it grows since there is no soil to act as a stabilizing medium for the roots.

[0067] FIG. 5 illustrates an example control and power system that can be used in connection with the disclosed growing wells 507. It should be appreciated that the features illustrated in FIG. 5 could be used in connection with any type of growing well discussed herein, such as growing well 330 and/or 401. As shown in FIG. 5, within and around the growing well 507 there are a number of systems that are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the environments within the growing well 507. All of these systems are accessible via on-premise or remote networking interfaces 510.

[0068] Various sensors 509, including but not limited to, heat, humidity, light, video, water quality, and/or air quality can be used to constantly monitor any and all features of well 507. These sensors are connected to the control systems 500 for data analysis and collection.

[0069] For situations in which the weather conditions might fall outside of optimal growing conditions, HVAC systems 505 for heating and cooling may also be included in well 507. For example, heat can be supplied in case of adverse cool weather and cooling can be provided when heat exceeds required norms. If present, these HVAC systems may also be connected to the control systems 500 for data analysis and collection.

[0070] In situations where the water level in the growing well 507 must be increase/decreased and/or nutrients provided, pump and mixture systems 508 can also be introduced into the growing environment. These mechanical systems may also be connected to the control systems 500 for data analysis and collection.

[0071] When the amount of natural light in the well 507 is reduced for extended periods of time, additional lighting may be provided by including artificial light 506 in the growing environment. These lighting systems may also be connected to the control systems 500 for data analysis and collection.

[0072] All of the systems and devices shown in FIG. 5 may be powered by either standard utility power 503 or alternate energy sources 501, which can be used directly or via battery storage and power conditioning systems 502.

Examples

[0073] There are numerous ways in which the disclosed devices and methods can be used to enhance current growing methods or support the growth of plants in non-native environments.

[0074] One exemplary use case is growing cocoa within the borders of the continental United States. There are several locations, such as Florida, where the conditions for growing cocoa are ideal if there could be a way to mitigate the negative effects of the intense sunlight and the ever-present threat of a crop-destroying storm. Florida also has a very high water table of fresh water, which can be used to reliably provide water to water-reliant crops, such as cocoa plants.

[0075] Another exemplary use case is applying the disclosed devices and techniques to cultivate citrus crops, which are frequently damaged by either storms or bouts of cold weather. These adverse weather conditions can be mitigated by the disclosed growing wells, saving farmers millions of dollars in lost revenue due to crop damage. Numerous other possible uses for the presently disclosed devices and techniques will also be apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the subject disclosure.