Patent Publication Number: US-2023148491-A1

Title: A Device and Method for Growing Plants Upon an Undulating Surface

Description:
This is a Divisional Application of Continuation-In-Part Application 17/540,533, filed on Dec. 2, 2021, which is based on Utility Application 17/242,280, filed on Apr. 27, 2021. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to gardens grown above ground or inside buildings using pots and other containers that allow plant roots to be watered, whereby excess water is drained from the plant roots to a bottom portion of the container thereby preventing root rot. 
     The present invention provides a device for growing relatively large quantities of plants above a selected surface, including but not limited to soil, wood and concrete. The device includes an elongated section of deformable material that ultimately receives a growing material manually disposed upon a midportion of the deformable material. The device includes pipe members detachably joined to longitudinal sides of the deformable material for stabilizing and lifting the deformable material with the growing material and plants therein. The device further includes a support member that is detachably secured to the pipe members, and a guard member that is detachably secured to the support member, whereby, birds and insects are prevented from engaging the plants and/or seeds disposed in the growing material; and water and sunlight are allowed to engage the plants and/or seeds. 
     The present invention further provides a device and method for growing plants upon an undulating surface. The method includes determining the slope of an inclined surface selected for growing plants upon; providing an elongated section of deformable material that receives a growing material manually disposed upon a midportion of the deformable material; detachably securing pipe members to opposing sides of the deformable material; and disposing at least one water retaining member between a folded lower elevation flap portion of a top member of the deformable material and a lower elevation pipe member positioned “downhill” from the lower elevation flap portion. The water retaining member includes a lateral dimension corresponding to the slope of the inclined surface. The water retaining member prevents water disposed upon the growing material and escaping via apertures in the top member of the deformable material from flowing downhill and away from the growing material. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Prior art flower pots and plant containers are manually lifted and transported to a selected site or surface upon which the pots and/or containers are manually disposed. The pots and containers are manufactured in a variety of sizes and configurations with relatively few plants or seeds inserted into dirt or similar growing material disposed in the containers. Alternatively, plants are inserted in growing materials disposed in relatively large permanent structures connected to or part of a building used as a residence, commercial office or manufacturing facility. 
     There is a need for a device for growing plants above ground that includes relatively large longitudinal dimensions capable of forming relatively long rows of plants. Further, there is a need for the device to be manually elevated and transported when a growing material containing plants is disposed on the device. There is a need for pipe members of the device to serve as handles and as a support base for orientating deformable members that support growing material with plants. There is a need for the pipe members to detachably receive a support member, which removably receives a guard member for isolating flowers and plants from birds and insects. There is a need for the pipe members and the guard member to be cooperatively coupled for delivering water to the growing material when water is supplied to the pipe members. 
     There is a need for maintaining water in the growing materials when the device is disposed upon an undulating surface that includes substantially planar and/or inclined surfaces having relatively gradual or steep slopes, or undulating slopes; whereby, each longitudinal and lateral side of the device will engage a ground surface or be disposed proximate to the ground surface, whereby, a growing material disposed upon a top member of the device urges a bottom member of the device to engage a corresponding ground surface irrespective of the slope of the inclined surface that the device is disposed upon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome many of the disadvantages associated with prior art devices for growing plants above a selected surface. A principal object of the present invention is to provide a device that is relatively large and capable of receiving and holding a growing material upon a selected surface. Another principal object of the present invention is to provide a device that ultimately receives multiple seeds and/or plants in the growing material, and that prevents insects and birds from engaging the plants and/or seeds disposed in the growing material. A feature of the device is a top member secured to a bottom member having substantially the same configuration and dimensions as the top member. Another feature of the device is that the top member, after being longitudinally secured to the bottom member, includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion. An advantage of the device is that each of the two outer longitudinal flaps portions and longitudinal center portion have substantially the same configuration and dimensions. Another advantage of the device is that the outer flap portions of the top member are foldable after growing material is disposed upon center portion of the top member, whereby, the growing material is captured within the top member after opposing edge portions of the flap securing portions are detachably secured together. Still another advantage of the device is that the opposing edge portions of the flap securing portions are separated a distance that enables light and moisture to engage the captured and exposed growing material, thereby promoting the growth of the seeds and/or plants. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide pipe members are detachably secured to the bottom member of the device. A feature of the device is pipe pouches formed in each longitudinal edge of the bottom member of the device. An advantage of the device is that a pipe member is slidably inserted into each pipe pouch, and slidably removed from each pipe pouch, thereby providing a solid structure for maintaining the longitudinal dimension of the device when a deformably material is used to fabricate the bottom and top members. Another advantage of the device is that the pipe members promote the manual lifting and transport of the device for ultimately disposing the device upon a selected surface. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support member that detachably secures to the pipe members after the predetermined plants and/or seeds are disposed in the growing material. A feature of the device is to configure and dimension the support member to detachably receive a guard member. An advantage of the device is that the support and guard members cooperate to prevent insects and birds from engaging the plants and/or seeds disposed in the growing material. Another advantage of the device is that the guard member can be fabricated from materials that allow sunlight and/or moisture to engage the plants and seeds in the growing material. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide water to the growing material disposed in the top member of the device. A feature of the device is multiple water apertures disposed in the support member, which is fabricated from pipes relatively smaller in diameter than the pipe members, whereby each water aperture directs water into a predetermined area of the growing material. Another feature of the device is connecting the support member to the pipe members, whereby, water supplied to the pipe members, via a single hose, flows through the pipe members and into the support member. An advantage of the device is that water having a relatively low pressure is directed upon the exposed growing material, thereby irrigating the growing material. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide equipment for automatically controlling water flow to the growing material. A feature of the device is a combination timer and valve member detachably secured to both a water hose and an end of one of the pipe members. Another feature of the device is a battery for energizing the timer-valve combination when a relatively long time period of water flow is required, and/or the time period of operation must be controlled from the internet. An advantage of the device is that water flow can be controlled when manual oversight is not available. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for growing plants upon inclined surfaces having a relatively “steep” slope. A feature of the device of the present invention is a lower water retaining member, whereby, the lower water retaining member is vertically disposed between a folded lower elevation flap portion of a top member of the device, and a lower elevation pipe member of the device positioned “downhill” from the lower elevation flap portion. Another feature of the device is dimensioning the lower water retaining member, whereby, the lower water retaining member includes a lateral dimension corresponding to the slope of an inclined surface that the device is disposed upon, resulting in a top edge of the lower water retaining member elevated a selected distance above water apertures in a lower portion of the folded lower elevation flap portion of the top member of the device. An advantage of the device is that the lower water retaining member restricts water disposed upon the growing material from escaping the folded lower elevation flap portion water apertures of the top member at a rate that prevents required quantities of water from engaging plant roots; the water apertures being included for preventing water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would damage plant growth. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for growing plants upon an inclined surface that includes a relatively gradual slope, whereby, water apertures in the lower portion of the folded lower elevation flap portion of the top member of the device have an elevation a relatively short distance below the elevation of water apertures in a lower portion of a folded upper elevation flap portion of the top member of the device. A feature of the device is an upper water retaining member, whereby, the upper water retaining member is vertically disposed between the folded upper elevation flap portion of the top member of the device, and an upper elevation pipe member of the device positioned “uphill” from the upper elevation flap portion. Another feature of the device is dimensioning the upper water retaining member, whereby, the upper water retaining member includes a lateral dimension corresponding to the slope of an inclined surface that the device is disposed upon, resulting in a top edge of the upper retaining member elevated a selected distance above water apertures in a lower portion of the folded upper elevation flap portion of the top member of the device. An advantage of the device is that the upper water retaining member cooperates with the lower water retaining member to prevent water disposed upon the growing material from escaping the folded top elevation flap portion water apertures of the top member at a rate that prevents required quantities of water from engaging plant roots; the water apertures being included for preventing water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would damage plant growth. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for growing plants upon surfaces that may vary in slope, whereby, the slope may vary from substantially planar to gradually inclined, and/or to steeply inclined in varying degrees, then back to substantially planar. A feature of the method is that the plants can be irrigated with quantities of water required to grow the plants without damaging the plants via excessive quantities of water. An advantage of the method is that the user can grow and irrigate plants disposed upon a device placed upon a selected ground surface that is substantially perpendicular to the slope of the selected ground surface for growing plants above ground. Another advantage of the method is that the user can grow and irrigate plants disposed upon a device placed upon a selected ground surface that varies from substantially horizontal to substantially inclined with the longitudinal sides of the device being disposed substantially perpendicular to the slope of the selected ground surface, whereby, sufficient quantities of water are supplied to the plant roots to promote the growth of plants irrespective of surface slope. Another advantage of the method is that water is prevented from accumulating (irrespective of the selected ground surface slope) in quantities that would retard or damage plant growth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing invention and its advantages may be readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a device for growing plants above a selected surface with a growing material disposed upon a top member of the device, the top member depicted with folded flap portions securing the position of the growing material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top perspective view of a top member disposed upon a bottom member of the device. 
         FIG.  3    is the top perspective view of  FIG.  2   , but with pipe members disposed proximate to pipe pouches formed in the bottom member. 
         FIG.  4    is the top perspective view of  FIG.  1   , but without flap portions of the top member folded overgrowing material. 
         FIG.  5    is the top perspective view of  FIG.  1   , but with a net material covering the support structure and the top member. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of the cross-arm portion of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is a right-side view of the cross-arm portion of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is the top perspective view of the device of  FIG.  1   , but with the device modified by adding upper and lower water retaining members in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a top plan view of portions of the aforementioned device disposed between portions of two modified devices all longitudinally aligned upon a ground surface having corresponding sloped portions and a substantially horizontal portion in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a profile view of the ground surface of  FIG.  8    but with the slopes offset from a linear orientation whereby the portions of the aforementioned device and modified devices are depicted on corresponding slopes in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is the top perspective view of the modified device of  FIG.  8   , but with the support and guard members removed. 
         FIG.  11    is an end elevation view of  FIG.  10    disposed on inclined slope 6 depicted in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  12    is the top perspective view of a top member disposed upon a bottom member of the modified device with guard members and upper and lower water retaining members removed. 
         FIG.  13    is the top perspective view of the modified device of  FIG.  11   , but with the support and guard members included in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    is the top perspective view of  FIG.  11   , but with the pipe members separated from the bottom member. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, a device for growing plants above a selected surface (not depicted) inside a structure or outside and exposed to the elements is denoted by numeral  10 . The device  10  includes a bottom member  12  disposed upon a preselected surface (not depicted); a top member  14  disposed upon and secured to said bottom member  12  via two longitudinal securing seams  16  or lines of relatively strong twine, resulting in a top member  14  having two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  and a longitudinal center portion  20 . Each of the two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  and longitudinal center portion  20  have substantially the same configuration and dimensions. The two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  are foldable for disposal above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby, longitudinal edge portions  22  of the two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  are ultimately disposed above the longitudinal center portion; whereby, the longitudinal edge portions  22  are substantially parallel and separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material that contains preselected seeds and/or plants. 
     The bottom and top members  12  and  14  can be fabricated from a myriad of materials, including but not limited to polymers and canvas, but porous landscaping fabric having a relatively high tensile strength that resists tearing (well known to those of ordinary skill in the art) is the preferred material. The edge portions  22  of the flap portions  18  include a plurality of longitudinally aligned apertures  24  disposed proximate to each longitudinal edge portion  22 . Flap securing members  26  for detachably securing together the longitudinal edge portions  22  of the longitudinal flap portions  18  via the apertures  24  can be fabricated from a myriad of materials including but not limited to leather, rubber, nylon and similar materials slightly “stretchable,” resistant to changes in weather and with a tensile strength capable of maintaining the proximate positions of the flap portions  18  when relatively heavy plants and growing materials  40  (not part of the invention) are disposed upon the top member  14 . Reinforcing rings (not depicted, but well known to those of ordinary skill) can be inserted into the apertures  24  for preventing the tearing of the longitudinal edge portions  22  of the flap portions  18  of the top member  14  when the flap securing members  26  detachably secure the longitudinal edge portions  18  together via the apertures  24 . 
     The preferred distance separating adjacent apertures  24  in an edge portion  22  of a flap portion  18  is substantially twelve inches. The preferred distance separating cooperating apertures  24  in opposite edge portions  22  of the flap portions  18  is substantially six inches after the flap securing members  26  forcibly draw the edge portions  22  together, whereby, the open area between adjacent flap securing members  26  promotes the manual insertion of plants and/or seeds into the growing material  40 . Alternatively, the plants and/or seeds can be disposed in the growing material  40  before the edge portions  22  of the flap portions  18  are forcibly drawn together by the flap securing members  26 ; however, the positioning of the plants and/or seeds in the growing material  40  must be between adjacent apertures  24  in an edge portion  22  of a flap portion  18 , thereby preventing engagement between the flap securing members  26  and respective plants. 
     A pipe member  28  is removably secured to each longitudinal edge portion  30  of each longitudinal side  32  of the bottom member  12  by sliding the pipe member  28  into a pipe pouch  34  formed in the edge portion  30  by a single or double stitch of a relatively high tensile strength string  36  securing the edge portion  30  upon an inner portion  38  of the bottom member  12 . The pipe member  28  promotes the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface. 
     A growing material  40  (not part of the device  10 ) such as a combination of black dirt and fertilizer, which promote the growth of the predetermined plants and/or seeds, is ultimately disposed upon the longitudinal center portion  20  of the top member  14 ; whereupon, the predetermined plants and/or seeds are disposed in the growing material  40 . A support member  42  is detachably secured to the pipe members  28  after the predetermined plants and/or seeds are disposed in the growing material  40 . The support member  42  is configured and dimensioned to detachably receive a guard member  44 ; whereby, the support member  42  and the guard member  44  cooperate to prevent insects and birds from engaging the plants and/or seeds disposed in the growing material  40 . The support member  42  can be fabricated from steel or polymer pipe having a diameter of about one-half inch. The length of the pipe is dependent upon the longitudinal dimension of the device  10 . The guard member  44  can be fabricated from weather resistant netting material, tempered glass or “greenhouse glass,” but greenhouse plastic is the preferred material for preventing access to the plants and seed by insects and birds; however, the greenhouse plastic allows sunlight to engage the plants, but the netting reduces the sunlight that ultimately engages the plants. 
     The support member  42  includes at least two inverted, substantially “V” configured opposing pipe sections  46  that are end portions of the support member  42 . The pipe sections  46  are joined together at the apex of the inverted V configuration via a lineal pipe section  48  and cooperating offset “T” configured fittings  50 . The two V configured pipe sections  46  are detachably joined to each pipe member  28  via two cooperating offset “T” configured fittings  52 , thereby detachably securing the support member  42  to the pipe members  28 . The elevation of the lineal pipe section  48  is about two feet above the top member  14 . 
     In the event that the distance separating the V pipe sections  46  of the support member  42  causes the guard member  44  to “sag,” pipe pouch apertures  54  can be provided in the pipe pouches  34  to sufficiently expose the pipe members  28  for allowing a cooperating “C” configured clamping end of a respective cross arm portion  56  of the support member  42  to engage a respective pipe member  28 . Opposite “C” configured clamping ends  57  of the cross-arm portions  56  engage the lineal pipe  48 . The clamping ends  57  of the cross-arm portions  56   detachably secure to the aperture  54  exposed pipe members  28 , and can also be detachably secured to a cooperating section of the lineal pipe  48 . The cross-arm portions  56  reduce the distance or gap between the V configured pipe sections  46 , and correspondingly reduces the sag of the guard member  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , to moisturize the growing material  40 , the two V configured pipe sections  46  and the lineal pipe section  48  of the support member  42  can include multiple water apertures  58  that direct water (having a relatively small pressure) in a generally downward direction upon the exposed growing material  40 . Alternatively, water apertures  58  can be included with only the V configured pipe sections  46  or only the lineal pipe section  48 . Irrespective of the location of the apertures  58  in the pipe sections  46  and  48 , the apertures  58  “aim” water to intersect the longitudinal centerline of the center portion  20  of the top member  14 , whereby, low water flow moistures the growing material  40  without damaging the plants in growing material  40 . In the event that excessive water should flow from the openings  62  in the opposing ends formed by the folded flap portions  18  of the top member  14 , a relatively small section of non-porous material (not depicted) can be stappled to a lower portion of the openings  62 , whereby, a wall is formed that either prevents or restricts water flow from the folded top member  14 . 
     In the event that the pipe members  28  need to be lengthened to promote the manual grasping of the pipe members  28  when lifting the device  10 , lifting handles  60  can be added to the T fittings  52  via a pipe having a relatively short longitudinal dimension. The lifting handles  60  can be threaded to detachably receive cooperating pipe members  28  of a duplicate device  10  (the preferred longitudinal dimension for the device  10  is ten feet), thereby doubling the longitudinal dimension of the resulting device  10  to twenty feet. 
     In the event that the device  10  must irrigate the growing material  40  without manual oversight, a combination timer and valve member (not depicted) can be detachably secured to both a pressurized water hose (not depicted) and an end of one of the pipe members  28 , thereby allowing water to flow through the water apertures  58  and upon selected portions of the growing material  40  for a predetermined time period. The combination timer and valve member can include a battery (not depicted) to power the combination when a relatively long time period of water flow is required, and/or the time period of operation must be controlled from the internet. 
     In operation, a user of the device  10  selects a site having a surface that the device is to be disposed upon. The surface can be inside a structure, or outside and exposed to the elements. After selecting the site and surface, the user configures and dimensions the device  10  to cooperate with the dimensions of the surface. The dimensions and configuration for the device  10  are determined by the user, but the dimensions and configuration preferred by the inventor are substantially ten feet by three feet with a rectangular configuration; however, the longitudinal dimension of the device  10  can vary from three feet to a length greater than ten feet by detachably securing together multiple ten feet sections to ultimately form a lineal row of the detachably secured sections. When the lateral dimension of the selected surface is greater than about seven feet, multiple parallel rows of the device  10  can be configured from multiple ten feet sections. 
     Assuming that the selected surface includes a longitudinal dimension of twenty-five feet and a lateral dimension of five feet, two devices  10  for growing plants above the selected surface could be disposed upon the surface, whereby, the two devices  10  are longitudinally joined or are separated at the discretion of the user. Each device  10  would be formed by disposing ten feet by three feet congruently secured together bottom and top members  12  and  14 , whereby, only two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  and a longitudinal center portion  20  of the top member  14  are exposed. Each flap portion  18  and the longitudinal center portion  20  have a lateral dimension of substantially one foot. 
     A pipe member  28  slightly longer than ten feet is removably secured to each longitudinal edge portion  30  of each longitudinal side  32  of the bottom member  12  by sliding the pipe member  28  into a ten feet pipe pouch  34  formed in the edge portion  30  by a single or double stitch of a relatively high tensile strength string  36  that secures the edge portion  30   upon an inner portion  38  of the bottom member  12 . The exposed ends of the pipe member  28  promote the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon or from a selected surface. Alternatively, relatively short sections of pipe can be rotationally secured to the pipe members  28  to form extended handles  60  for the users. 
     After assembling the bottom and top members  12  and  14 , and the pipe members  28 , a preselected growing material  40  is disposed upon the center portion  20  in quantities that allow the two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  of the top member  14  to fold above the growing material  40 , whereby, longitudinal edge portions  22  of the flap portions  18  are detachably joined, whereby, the flap portions  18  are substantially parallel and separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material  40  that contains manually added seeds and/or plants. 
     A support member  42  is detachably secured to the pipe members  28  after the predetermined plants and/or seeds are disposed in the growing material  40 . The support member  42  is configured and dimensioned to detachably receive a guard member  44 ; whereby, the support member  42  and the guard member  44  cooperate to prevent insects and birds from engaging the plants and/or seeds. The guard member  44  includes cross arm portions  56  for added support for the guard member  44  in the event that the guard member “sags” between V configured pipe sections  46 , and correspondingly reduces the sag of the guard member  44 . The support member  42  may include multiple apertures  58  for irrigation and/or fertilizing the ground material  40  and the seeds and/or plants in the ground material  40 . Water hoses (not depicted) would ultimately be detachably joined to the pipe members  28  to provide water to the support member  42 , whereby, water would flow from support apertures  58  and would be directed only upon predetermined portions of the growing material  40 . Water is allowed to escape a non-porous the top member  14  via end openings  62  formed via folded flap portions  18 . In the event that the user needs to prevent or restrict water flow via the end openings  62 , a relatively small sections of non-porous material can be stappled to a lower portion of the openings  62 , whereby, a wall is formed that either prevents or restricts water flow from the folded top member  14 . 
     The user can elevate the device  10  via handles  60  and transport and ultimately dispose one or multiple devices  10  upon the selected surface, whereby, the device  10  or multiple joined devices  10  are arranged upon the selected surface to promote growth of the seeds and/or plants in the growing material  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  8 - 13   , a modified device for growing plants above a selected inclined surface  6  and  7  in accordance with the present invention is denoted by numeral  100 . The modified device  100  is fabricated from the same materials as the aforementioned device  10 . An alternative material of fabrication for the modified device  100  is a porous landscaping fabric having a relatively high tensile strength that resists tearing but can be penetrated by a wooden or steel stake or post (well known to those of ordinary skill in the art) is the preferred material. The aforementioned device  10  used to grow plants on a substantially planar horizontal surface  8  (see  FIG.  8   ), and the modified device  100  for growing plants upon an inclined surface  6  and  7  ( FIG.  8   ), provide a user a method for growing plants upon surfaces that may undulate and vary in slope, whereby, the slope may vary from substantially planar  8  to relatively “steep” angles  6  and  7  depicting opposing slopes, then back to substantially planar. The device  100  enables the user to irrigate plants disposed upon either the device  10  for growing plants upon a horizontal surface, or the device  100  for growing plants  117  upon an inclined surface; whereby, sufficient quantities of water are supplied to the plant roots to promote the growth of plants  117 , but the method also enables the user to prevent water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would damage plant  117  growth. As an alternative to using both devices  10  and  100 , the modified device  100  could be used on a horizontal surface  8  to retain a water level on the surface  8  via water retaining members  102  and  126 . 
     The modified device  100  includes a lower water retaining member  102  vertically disposed between a folded lower elevation flap portion  104  of a top member  106  of the device  100 , and a lower elevation side  32  of the bottom member  12  of the device  100  positioned “downhill” from the lower elevation flap portion  104 . The top member  106  is disposed upon and secured to the bottom member  12  via two longitudinal securing seams  16  or lines of relatively strong twine, resulting in the top member  106  having the lower elevation flap portion  104  and an upper elevation flap portion  124  and a longitudinal center portion  20 . Each of the two outer longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124 , and longitudinal center portion  20  have substantially the same configuration and dimensions. The two outer longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124  are foldable for disposal above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby, longitudinal edge portions  22  of the two outer longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124  are ultimately disposed above the longitudinal center portion  20 ; whereby, the longitudinal edge portions  22  are substantially parallel and separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage a growing material  118  longitudinally encased via the top member  106 . The growing material  118  is viewable via open ends  119  of the top member  106 , and contains preselected seeds and/or plants  117 . 
     The lower water retaining member  102  includes lateral sides  110  formed via an end portion of the water retaining member  102  disposed about a wooden or metal stake or post  109  manually driven into an exposed ground surface. Alternatively, the stake  109  can be urged through the bottom member  12  and into the ground surface in the event that multiple lower water retaining members  102  having longitudinal dimensions shorter than the longitudinal dimension of the bottom member  12  are used. The lower water retaining member  102  includes a lateral dimension that disposes a top edge  112  of the lower water retaining member  102  a relatively short distance above the elevation of inner or upper water apertures  114  in a lower portion  116  of the folded lower elevation flap portion  104  of the top member  106  of the device  100 . 
     The top edge  112  elevation of the lower water retaining member  102  cooperates with the water apertures  114  elevation to prevent water disposed upon the growing material  118  from escaping the folded lower elevation flap portion water apertures  114  of the top member  106  at a rate that prevents required quantities of water from engaging plant roots (not depicted). The water apertures  114  are included for preventing water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would damage plant  117  growth. The water accumulated from the apertures  114  via the lower water retaining member  102  will eventually flow around the lateral sides  110  of the lower water retaining member  102 , thereby lowering the water level below the apertures  114  after the water supply is manually “turned off” or after a rain storm has ceased, and after the plant roots have been sufficiently irrigated. 
     The modified device  100  further includes water apertures  120  in an inner or lower portion  122  of a folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  of the device  100 . An upper water retaining member  126  is vertically disposed between the folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  of the device  100 , and an upper elevation side  32  of the bottom member  12  of the device  100  positioned “uphill” from the upper elevation flap portion  124 . The lower and upper water retaining members  102  and  126  are fabricated from flexible, non-porous strips of materials capable of retaining water. The apertures  120  in the folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  will have no influence upon the water level resulting from the lower water retaining member  102  until the slope of the ground surface that one or more longitudinally aligned modified devices  100  are disposed upon changes slope direction as depicted in  FIG.  8   , slopes  6  and  7 . The changed slope direction of the ground surface changes the lower water retaining member  102  depicted in slope  6  to the upper water retaining member  102  depicted in slope  7 ; and correspondingly changes the upper water retaining member  126  depicted in slope  6  to the lower water retaining member  126  depicted in slope  7 . 
     The upper water retaining member  126  includes a lateral dimension corresponding to the slope of an inclined surface that the device  100  is disposed upon, resulting in a top edge  130  of the upper water retaining member  126  elevated a relatively short distance above water apertures  120  in a lower portion  122  of the folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  of the device  100 . When the ground slope changes from slope  6  to slope  7  as depicted in  FIG.  8   , the upper retaining water member  126  on slope  6  is changed to a lower water retaining member  126  depicted in inclined surface or slope  7 . The upper water retaining member  126  includes lateral sides  111  having dimension corresponding to the slope of an inclined surface  7  that the device  100  is disposed upon, resulting in a top edge  130  of the upper water retaining member  126  elevated a selected distance above water apertures  120  in a lower portion  124  of the folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  of the device  100 . 
     The top edge  130  elevation of the upper water retaining member  126  cooperates with the water apertures  120  elevation to prevent water disposed upon the growing material  118  from escaping the folded elevation flap portion water apertures  120  of the top member  106  at a rate that prevents required quantities of water from engaging plant roots. The water apertures  120  are included for preventing water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would damage plant growth. The water accumulated from the apertures  120  via the upper water retaining member  126  will eventually flow around the lateral sides  111  of the upper water retaining member  126 , thereby lowering the water level below the apertures  120  after the water supply is manually “turned off” or after a rain storm has ceased, and after the plant roots have been sufficiently irrigated. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , an illustration of the modified device  100  is depicted without the support member  42 , T fittings  52 , and elevation pipe members  108  and  128 , thereby reducing the rigidity of the device  100  and enabling one or more modified devices  100  to be longitudinally aligned upon steep undulating surfaces that would not allow the modified device  100  of  FIG.  9    to congruently engage the same undulating surfaces. The modified device  100  of  FIG.  10    includes the lower and upper retaining water members  102  and  126 , thereby enabling the device  100  to maintain sufficient irrigation of the growing material  118  and the plant  117  roots therein. Further, the lower and upper retaining water members  102  and  126  include bottom edges  140  that maintain engagement with selected top surface portions of the bottom member  12  to prevent water from escaping under the bottom edges  140 . In the event that the longitudinal dimension of the lower and upper retaining water members  102  and  126   need to be decreased a dimension that enables the water members  102  and  126  to maintain engagement with the bottom member  12 , multiple water members  102  and  126  will be required for each bottom member  12 . Each water member  102  and  126  will require lateral sides  110  and  111  that detachably receive wooden or metal posts that are manually urged through the bottom member  12  and into the ground surface below. 
     Both devices  10  and  100  together or only the modified device  100  provide a method for growing plants upon surfaces that may undulate and vary in slope, whereby, the slope may vary from substantially planar to gradually inclined, and/or to steeply inclined in varying degrees, then back to substantially planar. The method enables the user to grow and irrigate plants disposed upon a horizontal surface, or upon inclined surfaces varying in slope from gradual to steep, whereby, sufficient quantities of water are supplied to the plant roots to promote the growth of plants irrespective of surface slope, but the method also prevents water from accumulating around plant roots in relatively large quantities that would retard or damage plant growth irrespective of surface slope. 
     A method that includes both devices  10  and  100  is described as follows:
     selecting a ground surface for receiving multiple devices  10  and/or  100  for growing plants above ground;   selecting a substantially linear path upon the selected ground surface for disposing the multiple devices  10  and  100  for growing plants;   evaluating the selected linear path for planar and sloped portions;   disposing a planar plant growing device  10  upon a substantially horizontal, planar portion of the linear path, the planar plant growing device  10  including:   a bottom member  12  ultimately disposed upon a preselected surface;   a top member  14  disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams  16 , whereby, the top member  14  includes two outer longitudinal flap portions  18  and a longitudinal center portion  20 , the longitudinal flap portions  18  being foldable for disposal above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby, longitudinal edge portions  22  of each longitudinal flap portion  18  are ultimately disposed above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby the longitudinal edge portions  22  are separated a predetermined distance;   a plurality of apertures  24  disposed proximate to each longitudinal edge portion  22  of the longitudinal flap portions  18  of the14 top member;   flap securing members  26  for detachably securing together the longitudinal edge portions  22  of the longitudinal flap portions  18  via the apertures  24 ;   a pipe member  28  secured to a longitudinal edge portion  30  of each longitudinal side  32  of the bottom member  12 ;   a support member  42  secured to the pipe members  28  after a preselected growing material  40  is disposed on the longitudinal center portion  20  of the top member  14 , after predetermined plants and/or seeds are disposed in the growing material  40 , and after the longitudinal flap portions  18  are secured together above the longitudinal center portion  20 ; and   a guard member  44  secured to the support member  42 ; whereby, the bottom and top members  12  and  14 , and the pipe members  28  cooperate to secure the position of the growing material  40  upon a selected surface, and the support member  42  and the guard member cooperate  44  to prevent insects and birds from engaging plants and/or seeds disposed in the growing material  40 ;   disposing a slope plant growing device  100  upon a sloped portion of the linear path, the slope plant growing device  100  including:   a bottom member  12  ultimately disposed upon a preselected surface;   a top member  106  disposed upon and secured to the bottom member  12  via two longitudinal securing seams  16 , whereby, the top member  106  includes an outer longitudinal lower elevation flap portion  104 , an outer longitudinal upper elevation flap portion  124  and a longitudinal center portion  20 , the longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124  being foldable for disposal above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby, longitudinal edge portions  22  of each longitudinal flap portion  104  and  124  are ultimately disposed above the longitudinal center portion  20 , whereby the longitudinal edge portions  22  are separated a predetermined distance;   a plurality of apertures  24  disposed proximate to each longitudinal edge portion  22  of the longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124  of the top member  106 ;   a plurality of lineal apertures  114  disposed proximate to a lower portion  116  of a folded lower elevation flap portion  104  of the top member  106  of the device  100 ;   a plurality of lineal apertures  120  disposed proximate to a lower portion  122  of a folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106  of the device  100 ;   a lower water retaining member  102  vertically disposed between a folded lower elevation flap portion  104  of the top member  106 , and a lower elevation pipe member  108  positioned “downhill” from the lower elevation flap portion  104 ;   an upper water retaining member  126  vertically disposed between the folded upper elevation flap portion  124  of the top member  106 , and an upper elevation pipe member  128  positioned “uphill” from the upper elevation flap portion  124 ;   flap securing members  26  for detachably securing together the longitudinal edge portions  22  of the longitudinal flap portions  104  and  124  via the apertures  24 ;   securing the lower and upper elevation pipe members  108  and  128  to edge portions  30  of each longitudinal side  32  of the bottom member  12 ; and   irrigating the growing material  118 , whereby the quantity of water engaging plant roots is determined by the position of the upper and lower water retaining members  126  and  102  relative to the plurality of water apertures  114  and  120  in the top member  106  of the device  100 .   

     The foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection accorded this invention. The scope of protection is to be measured by the following claims, which should be interpreted as broadly as the inventive contribution permits.