Abstract:
There is at least one embodiment that comprises a system for harvesting plants comprising at least one container for receiving and growing plants; at least one irrigation system configured to feed water to at least one of said plurality of containers; and at least one microprocessor configured to calculate a time until reaching a harvest point based upon a position of the plants. The at least one container can comprise a plurality of containers. The at least one irrigation system comprises at least one level valve configured to close when fluid in at least one container of said plurality of containers reaches a predetermined level.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/844,354 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a system and process for monitoring the growth of plants. Traditionally one would plant a garden in a person&#39;s backyard. That person would then have to rely on natural irrigation such as rain, or rising water tables. Alternatively, the user would have to rely on going out and watering the garden as well to make sure that the plants have received enough water. However, there is no known system which tracks and measures as well as delivers irrigation as well as indicates the types of plants that should be planted in a particular region as well as tracks the progress of growth of these plants. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    There is at least one embodiment that comprises a system for harvesting plants comprising at least one container for receiving and growing plants; at least one irrigation system configured to feed water to at least one of said plurality of containers; and at least one microprocessor configured to calculate a time until reaching a harvest point based upon a position of the plants. The at least one container can comprise a plurality of containers. The at least one irrigation system comprises at least one level valve configured to close when fluid in at least one container of said plurality of containers reaches a predetermined level. The at least one microprocessor can be configured to perform the following steps: receive and process information about the geographic location of said at least one container; receive and process information about the time of year of year; determine a type of at least one plant that should be planted in said at least one container based upon said information relating to geographic location and information relating to the time of the year for planting. 
         [0004]    The processor can be configured to determine the length of time that said at least one plant will last until a preset harvest point. In at least one embodiment, the preset harvest point is a point at which the plant is to be replanted in another container. The least one irrigation system can further comprise at least one solar panel configured to control an electronics switching system for switching on or off a valve for delivering fluid to at least one container. The at least one irrigation system further comprises at least one pump for pumping water through the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which discloses at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0006]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a device for offering a watering system for use in growing plants; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a second plan view of the device for providing a watering system for use in growing plants and for monitoring the growth in plants 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a first embodiment of an irrigation system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of the embodiment shown in any one of  FIG. 3A  or  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of another embodiment of an irrigation system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a container for a watering system top view of an indoor irrigation system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  shows a side view of a base connector  50  which is configured to clamp onto an extension or line  201   a  to secure a container or a container holder thereto; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6B  there is an additional connector which is configured to connect to a container; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6C  shows a side cross-sectional view of the device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6D  shows a side view of another type of securing configuration wherein a connector element  56  is positioned offset from another connector element  52 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  shows a top view of another embodiment of container; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of another embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the connection system of the container as well as the fluid flow system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  shows a side view of valve which includes turning valve and extension; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  shows a side view of a three-way valve; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9C  shows a quick connect version which shows quick connects for connecting to an extension; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of another embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of another embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of the support which shows a conduit, supported by a bracket; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an indoor tray which can be used to grow plants in an initial type system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12A  shows a side view of an opening or hole which is configured to receive a cartridge or similar type of element which is configured to hold a plant seedling or herb sprout; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of the portable tray system shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a schematic diagram of a computer system for controlling or using the system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15A  shows a schematic block diagram for the electrical components of a computer system; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15B  shows another schematic block diagram for the electrical components of a computer system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart for the process for selecting the plants or types of plants to plant; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart for tracking the growth of plants in the system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an aspect of the invention  10  which shows a plot of land such as plot  5  having a house  11  disposed thereon. This view shows extensions  20   a,    20   b,  and  20   c  which are configured to provide support for irrigation or hydroponic containers such as containers  20   a , or  220 . There is at each end of each extension a controller  30   a,    30   b,  and  30   c.  Each extension can be in the form of a fence line of piping or a simple extension of irrigation piping which extends towards or through a series of containers which are shown in  FIG. 2 . The design of these extensions  20   a,    20   b,  and  20   c  can be in any suitable shape or form and can be in any order. The positioning of these extensions can be in any form as well. For example, extension  20   a  can be positioned as diagonal across a yard, or positioned across the front of a house  11  as well. These extensions can be in the form of hose or steel piping which extends across a yard or a field and which is of suitable gauge to support containers  22   a  etc. In at least one embodiment, the extension such as any one of extension  20   a,    20   b,  and  20   c  can comprise a fence suitable to carry a plurality of containers such as containers  22   a.  This fence can be made of any suitable material such as wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) any suitable metal such as steel, aluminum, or copper or any other suitable material. The fence can be formed separate from a water conveying system or can be formed integral with a water conveying system. In at least one embodiment these extensions can be configured to be a conduit for water or fluid or simply be configured to hold a container such as a container  22   a  or  220 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of another version which shows house  11 , with extensions  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  extending out on an outer periphery. A plurality of photovoltaic cells or solar panels  31  are positioned around the perimeter of the house as well. These photovoltaic cells are configured to be a preset size so that the energy produced by these cells are configured to provide a central computer such as computer  420  with information relating to the amount of sunlight produced on a particular plot of land such as plot  5 . Three is also another set of extensions  20   d,    20   e,  and  20   f  showing that these extensions can be positioned at different positions in a plot and even nested inside of one another. In this view there is an irrigation system  39  which can include a fluid pumping controller  39   a,  a rain sensor  39   b  and a fluid pump  39   c.  An underground line  39   d  can be used to feed these extensions so as to provide fluid such as water to these extensions and thus to the containers as well. This irrigation system can also be in communication with computer  420 . Computer can also be in communication with another series of computers or controllers as shown in  FIG. 14 . Computer  420  can be used to read the information received by rain sensor  39   b  as well as from photovoltaic cells  31  to determine how much water is needed to feed the plants that are provided in containers  22   a  or  220  along the above listed extensions. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  is a first view of an extension shown as a fence system having an end riser  200   a  which is a post which provides vertical support for extensions  201   a  and  202   a  which are coupled thereto. Inside vertical riser  200   a  is a fluid conduit  200   b.  Vertical fence posts  204  are also coupled along this extension to provide vertical support. In this embodiment extensions  201   a  and  202   a  provide structural support for containers  22   a  and  24   a  or for containers  220  shown in  FIG. 3B . Fluid is instead provided through fluid conduits  203   a  and  204   a  which provide fluid to these containers. Fluid conduit  200   b  is in fluid communication with fluid conduits  203   a  and  204   a  as well. Fluid conduit  200   b  is also in communication with underground line  39   d.  Thus, fluid can be pumped from the water irrigation or sprinkler system of a house or building out to an extension so that the extension can receive a positive flow of water on demand. The pumping controller can be set with a timer to periodically provide water to fluid conduit  200   b  which then supplies these extensions down the line. Therefore, only one line or zone for a sprinkler system can be set to water all of the extensions down the line. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3B  shows a side view of this system which shows containers  220  disposed on either side of vertical riser  200   a.  These containers can be in fluid communication with fluid conduits  203   a,    203   b,    204   a,  and  204   b.  These fluid conduits  200   b,    203   a,    203   b,    204   a,    204   b  can be in the form of a rubber hose, a polymer tubing, piping such as PVC piping or metal piping such as aluminum piping, steel piping or copper piping. The fluid conduits can be any suitable color to either blend in with the fence or with the plants being grown along the extensions. The supply of fluid into these containers is controlled either by a water sensor or a float valve which controls whether a valve is open to receive water into the container or closed to prevent water from flowing into the container. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the invention which discloses another embodiment of an extension which is shown extending having at least two levels for connection to containers such as containers  22   a  or even containers  220 . 
         [0039]    In this embodiment  20   a  there are separate supports which can be any suitable support such as rods or metal piping, or a fence as well. In addition, the support can include vertical supports as well such as vertical supports  25   b  which extend substantially vertically and connect at connection points  25   a  and  26   c  to hold extensions  21 A and  23 A up above a substantially horizontal plane. In this view, there is shown containers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    22   d,  which are positioned along line  21   a.  Line  21   a  serves as both a holding line and a fluid conduit which holds these containers above a surface as well as provides fluid to these containers. In addition there is shown another set of containers  24   a,    24   b,  and  24   c  which extend along another line of extensions  21   b.  Line  21   b  also serves as a means to support these containers as well as provide fluid to these containers  24   a,    24   b,  and  24   c.  In this embodiment, line  21   a  can be in the form of a steel tubing with sufficient thickness to support containers as well as provide fluid to these containers. Disposed along these lines  21   a  or extensions are quick connect valves which allow containers such as containers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,  and  22   d  to be fluidly coupled to these lines. In addition, there are also separate containers  26   a  which can be positioned on a different level as well. Fluid can be fed from a pumping system  40  which feeds fluid to lines  21   a  and  21   b . The fluid flows into the containers and is controlled by a level sensor which is used to control fluid access to these containers.  FIG. 5  shows a container  22   a  which includes a fill level sensor  29  which is configured to control access of fluids into each container. In at least one embodiment, the fill level sensor is configured as a float sensor which when the device is filled with water, the fill level sensor rises to a point in the container to close the one way valve, thereby stopping the flow of water into the container. In another embodiment such as shown in  FIG. 2C , the fill level sensor is configured as an electronic fill level sensors which is fed by a low voltage source which powers a sensor configured to close a valve in the container to stop fluid flowing into the container. Thus the flow of water or other type of fluid in the system can be controlled by these successive fill level sensors  29  as shown in  FIG. 2B . These fill level sensors can be configured to successively close as each container is set to fill. With a standard irrigation system, a simple connection to a zone of an irrigation system can be used to fill these successive containers in the system. For example, with a first container in the zone, that of container  22   a,  this container can be filled first with the irrigation system. Once this container is filled, it is then closed by this fill level sensor. Then the fluid is passed onto the next container as well. Each container is then simultaneously or successively filled by this irrigation system so that each container would house the sufficient amount of water to water the plants. For example, each container such as container  22   a,  can include a fill level sensor including a container  29   a,  and a float  29   b.  As container  22   a  fills with fluid, the separate container which can be formed as a fine mesh container or simply a separate container configured to receive water is configured to fill with water so that the float  29   b  can float up to a higher level to close a valve  29   c.  The closing of this valve, thereby closes off water to the system. Once valve  29   c  is closed, it causes water to flow to the next container and fill that container along the line. 
         [0040]    In addition, as shown in this figure, container  22   a  includes a connector element  27  which is configured to connect to line or extension  21   a  to support container  22   a  above a surface. In this way, each container  22   a  is filled with a limited amount of water in a way that economizes the amount of water fed to each plant or container. Each container can be oriented so that the plant material can either grow up and out of the container or down and out of the container as well. Alternatively the container can have both ends  28   a  and  28   b  open so that the plant material can grow in either direction. In addition, coupled to at least one extension such as extension  21   a  is an optional solar panel  31 . Solar panel  31  is configured to receive solar power and to provide power to the system through an electrical line  32  or line  31   a  extending along the extension  21   a.  In addition, optionally coupled to solar panel  31  is a communication transceiver  33  which can be configured as either a wireless transceiver or a wired transceiver which is configured to communicate the amount of energy received by solar panel  31  to determine the amount of sun that hits that region of containers  22   a.  This wireless transceiver can then communicate this information to computer  420  via a wireless router  421  which is in communication with transceiver  33 . In addition, there is also an optional rain sensor  37  coupled to transceiver  33  as well as a processing system  35  which is configured to read both the amount of energy received by solar panel  31 , as well as read the rain sensor as well. This information is then sent to computer  420  and then onto so as to communicate both the amount of sun and rain hitting that region. Additional solar panels can be positioned around the extensions to provide greater accuracy for server  450  to determine how much sun is hitting each container. All of these components are in communication with each other via line  38  as well. This information for each house or plot can then be cataloged and used to help determine via a connected network how much sun and water is hitting a particular area. As each plot can be cataloged by GPS this system is then configured to provide a highly accurate reading of the amount of rainfall and sun that hits a particular plot. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  also shows a reserve container  30  which can hold a chemical additive or fertilizer agent which can be added to the solution as well. This container can be inserted with this fertilizer or agent to add fertilizer to the solution fed through lines  21   a  and  21   b  so that each container can receive fertilizer enriched fluid such as fertilizer enriched water. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6A  shows a side view of a base connector  50  which is configured to clamp onto an extension or line  201   a  to secure a container or a container holder thereto. The connector  50  is configured to be coupled via connector elements  52  and  54  which can be in the form of screws having threads which thread through connector and are coupled to extensions such as extensions  201   a,  and  202   a  (See  FIG. 6D ) or extensions  205  in  FIG. 6C . As shown in  FIG. 6B  there is an additional connector  60  which is configured to connect to a container  220  or  22   a,    24   a  etc. This connector includes a strap  62  which can be fed through connecting receivers  64  and  66  which can receive this strap and be configured to clamp the container to this base section  61 . This base section  61  can be an arcuate shaped base section for receiving a round container such as container  220 ,  22   a,    24   a  etc. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6D  shows a side view of another type of securing configuration wherein a connector element  56  is positioned offset from another connector element  52 . This difference in angle a can be such that the connection is substantially transverse ,and even in one embodiment substantially perpendicular. This creates connection forces on extension  201   a  that are substantially transverse to each other to further secure the connector  50  to the extension. This type of connector system can be used with any of the embodiments shown herein. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7A  shows a top view of another embodiment of container  220 . This view shows a container  220  having an outer cylindrical housing  222 , spacers  223  and a feeding tube  225  disposed therein. Feeding tube  225  is for receiving a fluid conduit  206  shown in  FIG. 8 . This spacing by spacers  223  creates a spaced region  226  for receiving fluid such as water therein. An inner housing  224  which is cup shaped or cylindrical is spaced apart from outer housing  222  via spacers. Spacers  223  can be in the form of a cylindrical jacket that is inserted in between the two housings to space these two housings apart or can be formed integral with either outer housing  222  or inner housing  224 . Inside of inner housing  224  is an interior region  227  for receiving a plant and plant supporting material such as dirt. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of another embodiment. In this embodiment there is shown an addition column  225   a  which can be substantially cylindrical as well and configured to receive a nutrient supply such as a nutrient stick which can be inserted into this column  225   a.    
         [0046]    In addition, there is an intermediate housing  228  which is spaced from outer housing  222  via spacers  223  and is spaced from inner housing  224  via spacers  229 . Intermediate housing  228  and inner housing  224  can be made porous so that they are configured to receive fluid from outer housing  222  and particularly from the reservoir  226  formed by the spacing of either the inner housing or the intermediate housing from the outer housing. The porous nature of these housings allows for constant fluid communication from the outer regions to the inner regions allowing fluid such as water to flow towards the plant to feed the plant. These housings can be made from a colander type structure, or made from a mesh screen, or made from any other type of porous type structure. These housings  222 ,  224 , and  228  can be made from any suitable material such as plastic, PVC, any suitable polymer, metal, wood, ceramic, composite etc. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the connection system of the container as well as the fluid flow system. For example there is shown a connector which includes a strap  250  for wrapping around an extension  201   a.  There is also shown receivers  261  and  263  for receiving strap  250  and securing cranks  262  and  264  respectively to crank or turn strap  250  tightly onto extension  201   a . This then connects block  235  to extension  201   a.  Coupled to block  235  is fluid conduit  203   a  which feeds into valve  205 . Valve  205  includes a first section  205   a  for receiving fluid conduit  203   a  and an extension element  205   b  which extends out substantially perpendicularly from first section  205   a.  Extending down from second section or extension element  205   b  is a feeding tube  206  which feeds fluid into container such as container  220 . Container  220  is shown having a bottom  229   a.  Straps  233  and  234  are configured to fix the container  220  to block  235  in the same manner as described with strap  250 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9A  shows a side view of valve  205   a  which includes turning valve  206   a  and extension  206   b  which includes turning section  206   b  forming a three way valve shown in  FIG. 9B .  FIG. 9C  shows a quick connect version which shows quick connects  210  for connecting to extension  203   a.  This view shows valve lever  215  which can selectively open channel  212  as well as channel  212  which is a threaded channel and which can screw into quick connect body section  210  and puncture line  203   a  to allow water to flow down channel if the valve is open by valve lever  215 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of another embodiment. In this embodiment, there is a fence structure  260  which is configured to hold a bracket  270  which has a first wall  275 , a top wall  276  and another wall  277  which extends around fence structure  260 . Fence structure  260  can be held in place by vertical columns (not shown. On top of wall  276  is a bracket  209  for holding conduit or channel  203  such as  2032 . Wall  277  extends down from wall  276  and has lateral extensions  279  extending out laterally from each side (See  FIG. 10C ) In addition, a plurality of supports comprising loops  272  and  274  are coupled to this bracket  270  and are configured to hold a container in place. This container can slide therein to these supports and rest inside these supports. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of another embodiment of a support  280  which shows a cross-sectional view of a fence support structure  260 . In this view there is a wall  285 , another wall  286  and a front wall  287 , however coupled to this front wall  287  is a spacer  288  which is configured to support this front wall  287  away from a back of a fence. Thus, depending on which side of the fence that this device is positioned on, this spacer,  288  which is coupled to side wings  289  is used to support front face  287  against the rotational movement of the bracket  285 ,  286  and  287  once it is set upon fence support structure  260 . In addition there is shown supports  282  and  284  which are configured to support a container therein. Furthermore, there can be a bracket  209  for holding a conduit or channel  203  such as channel  203   a  which is used to propel water to these containers. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of the support  280 . In this view, there is shown conduit  203 , supported by bracket  209 . In addition there is shown support loops  282 , and  284  which are configured to support a container therein. In addition, there is shown front wall  287  which extends down from the fence support structure. In addition extending laterally out from this front face  287  are wings or lateral or rotational stabilizes  279 ,  289  which extend laterally out from front face  287 . These lateral stabilizers  279  and  289  are used to support the structure against rotation when a container is inserted therein. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an indoor tray which can be used to grow plants in an initial type system. For example, this tray system  350  can be used to grow smaller types of plants such as herbs, or initial shoots of plants which can then be individually inserted into individual containers  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,    24   a,    24   b,    24   c  etc. 
         [0053]    This tray can include a manifold  352  which includes a plurality of successive holes  354   a ,  354   b,    354   c,    354   d,    354   e,  and  354   f  as well as a plurality of corresponding channels  355   a,    355   c ,  355   d,    355   e,    355   f.  In addition, along each channel such as channel  355   a  there are a plurality of openings  356   a,    356   b,    356   c  etc. which are contained in a sheet  356 . Manifold  352  is fed by a pump (not shown) and fluid then follows through opening  354   a  for example, and down channel  355   a  to successively feed fluid to any plant material which is housed in any one of openings  356   a.    
         [0054]      FIG. 12A  shows a side view of an opening or hole  354   a  which is configured to receive a cartridge  359  or similar type of element which is configured to hold a plant seedling or herb sprout. At the hole  354   a,  there is a gasket  357  which is configured to receive these types of cartridges. This cartridge is configured to receive and/or hold, at least one seed or seedling, nutrients such as fertilizer, as well as a medium for growing plants such as rocks or dirt. 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of tray system  350  which shows a container  360  having a body  363 , which has containers  364 , and  380  having pipes  367  and  382  to feed into a water feed tube  385  and which allows water to flow down channels such as channels  355   a  into a catch basin pouring through line  368  into another catch basin wherein the water goes through line  367  and back into basin  364 . Pump  370  pumps water through the tube  385  to the top of the tray  350 . The tray  350  is configured to sit at an angle to allow water to flow down the front of the tray and then cycle back through the system through line  368 .  FIG. 14  is a plan view of a computer system which is used to control and plan for the system shown in  FIGS. 1-13 . For example, with this system, there are a plurality of personal computers, remote computers, iphones, or any other types of portable or stationary computing devices  410 ,  420 , and  430  etc. As shown in  FIG. 15  each of these devices includes a processor such as a microprocessor,  420   a,  a memory such as a ram  420   b,  a mass storage device  420   c,  a transceiver  420   d,  a power supply  420   e,  and a motherboard  420   f.  Each of the other computing devices also include these components as well. For example,  FIG. 15B  includes these components as well including microprocessor  450   a,  memory  450   b,  mass storage device  450   c , transceiver  450   d,  and power supply  450   e,  as well as motherboard  450   f.    
         [0056]    For example, the three different servers  440 ,  450 , and  460  are configured to carry out the process for selecting and organizing the planting system and to carry out the steps indicated in  FIGS. 5-6 . In at least one embodiment server  450  is an application server which is configured to perform the process disclosed in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         [0057]    For example,  FIG. 16  shows the process for selecting the types of plants to plant in any one of containers  220  or containers  22   a,    22   b,  or  26   a  etc, or to plant in any one of cartridges  359  into holes  354   a  etc. This process can be performed using any type of server on a computer network such as via server  450  using microprocessor  450   a  and communicating to other computers via the internet  400 . This communication can be via a transceiver  450   d  such as using a network interface card and communicating via Ethernet lines. Other types of communications or communication protocols can also be used. 
         [0058]    For example, in step S 1  a user can log into the system such as an applications server  92  by providing his or her login information such as name, and password. This is performed via a webpage which allows information to be uploaded. Next, the logged in user can input his or her geographic information. This can be performed by inputting the user&#39;s address including zip code or any other type of geographic information. If the user is using a mobile computing device, that device can include a GPS device which can be configured to set the location of the plantings or the lot of the user such as the lot as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, in step S 2  once this geographic information is logged, a user can set the plot lot, and the dimensions of the plot lot such as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the user can set the dimensions of the lot and the orientation of the lot. For example, the user can set the way that the lot faces with respect to the house and shade on the lot. Therefore, if a house faces south, then the front end of the house would have the best sun, the right side of the house would be the east side, the back side of the house would be the north side, and the left side of the house would be the west side. Accordingly, the plants can be planted based upon the level of sun that would be present based upon the shade provided by the house or any other structure or planting on the lot. 
         [0059]    Thus the orientation and the plotting of the lot can be configured so as to indicate the amount of sunlight that is provided to each container on the lot. 
         [0060]    Next, in step S 4  the user plots the containers on the lot as well as the lines which are configured to feed these containers. The position of each container would then be logged to indicate the amount of sun and water that would be available to each container. The user would then in step S 5  input the water availability to each of these containers as well. This water availability is configured based upon the lines that are present along the plot and the volume of fluid that can be delivered to each container. 
         [0061]    Next, in step S 6  the system would log additional information corresponding to weather and water from neighbors who are logged into the system. Next, in step S 7  the system would present on a web page a series of questions to the user to ask which types of plants that the user would like to grow. For example, the system could present questions relating to the types of fruits and vegetables that the user likes to eat. 
         [0062]    Next, in step S 8  the system would log this information into a database such as through a database server  94  and then in step S 9  apply an algorithm which would suggest which types of plants to use. For example, this algorithm would first select a plant based upon the geographic region that the plot was located, and then select the plant based upon the time of year for planting, and then base the selection based upon the position of the container for the plant in the lot, and then select the plant based upon the amount of expected sunlight based upon any shade present on the lot. Additional factors that can be included can also be the information provided by neighbors and their successes in growing these plants as well. Next, the system would apply that list of feasible plants and compare the feasible plants to the plants suggested by the user to find any matches. 
         [0063]    The order or hierarchy in which the above criteria are applied can be in any suitable order. Once matches are provided, the system can provide a list of plants that the user can use to plant in each of the containers. Included in this list of plants can be a ranking of suggested plants that the user should consider. This ranking can be based upon the feasibility of planting these plants based upon the weather conditions, the time of year of planting, the amount of suitable sunlight etc. 
         [0064]    Once the user has his or her list, the system can plot out how to plant these plants in the garden. For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , in step S 12  the system can categorize each of the containers for planting by either grouping them in groups or at least indicating which containers are suitable with certain types of plants 
         [0065]    Thus, in step S 13 , the system would match the position of each container with each container. 
         [0066]    Next, in step S 14  the system would match the plants selected by the user with the most suitable containers selected based upon the position of each container on the lot, as well as the size of the container indicated as well. For example, if a container is positioned in a southerly exposure which receives a lot of sunlight and the planting was to occur in June, the system may suggest planting tomatoes if tomatoes are indicated as being particularly suitable plantings for such as container. 
         [0067]    Next, in step S 15 , the system would set the time for each of the plantings. For example, if tomatoes were set to grow and become ripe in 6 weeks on average if they are planted in the 11030 area code in on June 6, then if tomatoes were planted in the first container  22   a  which has a substantially southerly exposure then the system would start a timer to indicate that the tomatoes would likely become ripe within six weeks. 
         [0068]    Next, in step S 16  the system would set the suggested water delivery such as 3× a day or a certain volume of water that should be provided to each container. In this case, the system could even suggest the position for the placement of the fill level sensor  29  in each container based upon the plant being planted in each container. 
         [0069]    Next, in step S 18  the system could monitor the sun delivery to the system to provide an account over time of the sun delivered to each container in the system. This monitoring of sun delivery can be in the form of reading a solar panel and determining the amount of energy produced by the solar panel across a single time period such as a day to determine the amount of sun delivery to a region. 
         [0070]    Next in step S 19  the system could monitor the water delivery by logging the weather or recording the amount of water that has fallen on the plot. Next, in step S 21 , the system could apply an algorithm to determine based upon the weather, including the amount of rain as well as the amount of sun or the heat over a period of time to readjust the time for harvest. 
         [0071]    Next, in step S 22  the system could indicate when to harvest the plants. This indication could be in the form of an email, or other type of suitable notification. Next in step S 23  the user could harvest the plants wherein the user could either remove the plants or place the plants in another container for planting. 
         [0072]    Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.