Abstract:
A plant growing system protects plants during spring, for early and/or fast growth, and supports the plants later in the growing season. Frames hold panels that protect the plants by enclosing, shielding, and/or shading the interior growing space, and upon removal of the panels, the frames may support the larger plants and their fruit/vegetables. Multiple cooperating frames pivotally connect to form modular units of various sizes and shapes, and a latching/locking feature may stabilize the unit by preventing accidental disconnection of the frames. The frames may include feature(s) that allow, and stabilize, stacking of multiple units for accommodating taller plants. The panels held by the frames may be translucent/transparent, opaque, or a combination of the two, for customizing the interior environment inside each modular unit to the plant(s), the time of year, and/or the location and climate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to growing systems for garden plants, such as tomatoes, wherein the plant may be sheltered and/or supported. Certain embodiments relate to a system for encouraging growth of a plant or plants by providing protection from cold, wind, and/or excess sun. Certain embodiments relate to a modular system wherein a support and shelter system is expandable and/or changeable in shape to accommodate various plants, growing sites, and/or grower preferences. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Many green houses have been designed for sprouting seeds and encouraging growth in advance of the time that the plants can be transplanted outdoors. Cold frames have been designed for similar reasons, but are typically low, solid-wall frames with transparent tops. Cold frames are typically built outdoors, in or near the garden space, so that the plants may be “hardened-off” (acclimatized to the outdoors) prior to the opening or removing of the cold frame or prior to the final transplanting of the plants to the garden. Also, trellis and wire-cage systems have been designed for supporting tomatoes and other plants during the growing season, to keep the plant(s) from falling over or breaking, and/or to control the direction and position of branches and fruit/vegetables. Such trellis and cage systems may be covered with tarps or wraps, to protect against a cold-snap or cold fall nights. 
         [0005]    Still, the inventor believes there is a need for an improved system that may provide both protection and plant-support. There is a need for a system that, in certain embodiments, protects a plant(s) from cold, wind, or excessive sun, for example, during early-planting, hardening-off, inclement weather, and/or extreme heat, and yet may also support the plant as it gains size and matures during the main and later portions of the growing season. There is a need for a system that meets some or all of these goals, while being easy to store, carry, and use, and easy-to-modify for various species and numbers of plants and during the course of the growing season. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention comprises a plant growing system that is adapted to support a plant, and preferably to also protect the plant from cold, wind, inclement weather, and/or excessive sun. The system may comprise frames for support of the plants and/or for holding panels that protect the plants. By using certain embodiments of the system, a gardener has the flexibility to plant young plants outdoors early in the spring, without worry that cold nights, a “cold snap”, or harsh weather will damage or freeze the young plants. By planting early but also protecting the young plants, the plants get an early start as soon as the soil warms sufficiently, and they grow faster in the protected interior of the system. Certain embodiments may use one or more transparent or translucent panels to shelter young plants from wind and cold air, while allowing light to reach the plants. Certain embodiments may utilize one or more opaque panels, in addition to or instead of transparent/translucent panels, to shade the young plants during a “hardening-off” period, for example. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, multiple cooperating frames are pivotally connected to form a modular support unit of various sizes and shapes. The frames may comprise feature(s) that serve, when the frames are connected, to stabilize the unit, for example, a latching or locking function that helps prevent the frames from becoming academically disconnected from each other. The frames may comprise feature(s) that allow, and stabilize, stacking of multiple units for accommodating taller plants. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments, one or more of the frames, or all of the frames, are adapted to receive panels that close or substantially close one or more, or all, sides of the unit. Optionally, but preferably, the frames are adapted to receive panel(s) to close the top of the unit. Said panels are preferably have at least one face that is continuous or substantially continuous, so that the panels block cold air-flow, wind and/or generally protect or insulate the space inside the unit. Said panels may be transparent or translucent to allow sun to reach the plant(s), while still protecting the plant from the cold/wind. Alternatively, said panels may be opaque or partially opaque to shade plants as needed, for example, during “hardening-off” or extreme sun and heat. The frame(s) may be specially-adapted to removeably receive and hold the panels, preferably by virtue of the shape and arrangement of the horizontal and vertical members of the frames, rather than by requiring conventional fasteners. For example, in certain embodiments, the frames receive and retain the side panels by their horizontal rung members being offset forward and rearward, so that the side panel is slid between the offset rung members, to be received and retained by at least one rung being in front of, and at least one rung being in back of, the side panel. In certain embodiments, therefore, the frames are adapted to removeably receive and hold the panels without ties, straps, pins, latches, locks, hooks, loops, or other moveable/removable fasteners. 
         [0009]    Various means and methods of accomplishing some or all of these functions and goals will be apparent from the following description and drawings, wherein certain, but not all, embodiments are detailed and described. Those of average skill in the art, after viewing the following description and drawings, will understand many modifications from the embodiments specifically detailed and described may be made that are within the scope of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of an invented frame. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, top view of the frame of  FIG. 1 , viewed along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the frame of  FIG. 1 , that is, viewing the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as if from the left edge of the paper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 1 , with one embodiment of a panel inserted into the frame, wherein the panel is shown in dashed lines for ease of viewing. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the frame and panel of  FIG. 4 , viewed along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 , wherein the panel is shown in cross-hatch lines. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional side view of the frame, as in  FIG. 5 , except that the panel is partially raised above the frame, showing that the panel is slid parallel to the frame for insertion or removal. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial, perspective view of the bottom end of two frames of  FIG. 1  connected together. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial, perspective view of the connected top portions of the frames of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a detail, top view, as indicated by the dashed circle in  FIG. 7 , of two rungs and their respective vertical members, wherein the angle of the frames to each other results in the end of the left rung being above, and blocking upward movement of, the end of the right rung. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front view of portions of the frames of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , being connected by the right frame being closely adjacent to, and lowered relative to, the left frame. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of four of the frames of  FIG. 1 , connected together in a square unit, wherein two removeable panels (in dashed lines) are shown inserted in the two frames nearer the viewer. Panels may be likewise inserted into one or both of the rear two frames. The unit may have protective panels on none, one or more, or all, sides of the unit, as desired to protect the plant(s) growing within. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the unit in  FIG. 9  with an added roof embodiment having a slidable panel. As in  FIG. 9 , panels are shown inserted into the two front frames, but protective panels may be installed on none, one or more, or all, sides of the unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10A  shows the unit of  FIG. 10 , with a small tomato plant growing inside the unit. The roof panel is closed and two side panels are shown in dashed lines, but one or two additional side panels may be used to more fully shield the plant from cold or windy weather. Further, panels may be selected to control the amount of sunlight reaching the plant, for example, by selecting opaque or partially opaque panels in addition to, or instead of, transparent or translucent panels. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10B  shows the unit of  FIG. 10 , with the slidable roof panel and side panels removed, and a larger plant growing up partially out of the open roof and being supported by the rungs of the frames, for example, later in the growing season. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows the unit of  FIG. 10 , with the two front panels portrayed as opaque panels in solid lines, showing that only certain of the rungs are outside the panel and visible from outside the unit. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section of the unit of  FIG. 11  along line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 , viewing the front two frames and panels of  FIG. 11  from the inside of the unit to show the inside rungs. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a partial, side view of the top end of the unit of  FIG. 10 , viewing the roof from a left-front position in  FIG. 10 , wherein the roof brackets have been pushed down so that the cylindrical connectors protrude up slightly above the brackets. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the roof of  FIGS. 10 and 13 , illustrating the roof panel being slid in and out of the roof brackets. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a detail view of a combination of the top ends of two lower, connected frames (such as in  FIG. 7 ), plus the bottom end of two additional frames stacked on-top of the lower frames. 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a combination of a lower, four-frame unit, such as in  FIG. 9 , plus an upper unit of four frames stacked on top of the lower unit, wherein neither unit has panels installed and wherein only the lower portion of the upper unit is shown for the sake of enlargement. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16A  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 16  in use around a potted plant, for example. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  shows an alternative arrangement of eight of the frames of  FIG. 1 , the arrangement forming an elongated rectangular shape (when viewed from the top), with panels (in dashed lines) installed along one side, and without any roof. As in other examples, protective panels may be installed in none, one or more, or all, frames of the unit. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  shows an alternative arrangement of five of the frames of  FIG. 1 , the arrangement comprising pairs of frames connected with ties to form a zig-zag “fence” support unit without any panels. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19A  is a top view of an alternative frame with all rungs on one side of the vertical poles, rather than being staggered front and back, and wherein a panel is held between two inwardly-facing channels. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19B  is a top view of an alternative frame with rungs alternating between the two sides of the frame and with channels fixed to some of the rungs for holding a panel. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 20A  and B are top views illustrating some, but not the only ways, of holding a panel on a frame with tie(s) and/or clip(s). In  FIG. 20A , ties or straps pass through small apertures in the panel and around the vertical poles, ties or straps pass through small apertures in the panel and around one or more rungs, and a clip extends around members of the frame and engages the panel. In  FIG. 20B , the panel is placed on one side of the frame, away from the vertical posts, ties/straps extend through small apertures in the panel and around at least one of the rungs, and a clip is provided. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Referring to the Figures, there are shown several, but not the only, embodiments of the invented modular plant growing system, which may comprise plant support and/or protection features. The system comprises at least one frame, the preferred embodiment of which is portrayed in the figures as frame  10 . Frame  10  comprises multiple generally vertical members  12 ,  14  (hereafter “poles”), and multiple generally horizontal rungs  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and  25  (hereafter “rungs”). Both poles and rungs may be metal rods, for example, ¼inch diameter galvanized steel rods welded. The poles  12 ,  14  are preferably parallel to each other and spaced apart to be at or near the outermost right and left extremities of the frame  10 . The rungs  21 - 25  are also spaced apart along the length of the frame  10 , from at or near the top of the frame  10  to near the bottom of the frame  10 . The poles  12 ,  14  each extend at their top ends (“left arm  13 ” and “right arm  15 ”) up above the top rung  21  about 1-3 inches, and more preferably 1-2 inches. The poles  12 ,  14  each extend at their bottom ends down below the bottom rung  25  about 2-4 inches, so that the bottom “legs”  17 ,  19  may rest on or stick into the ground. 
         [0037]    At the right end of bottom rung  25  and the top of pole  12  are right and left connectors, respectively, for connection of the frame  10  to another frame, for example, frame  10 ′ in  FIGS. 6-8 . By connecting two or more frames, in a modular manner, various shapes and sizes of units may be formed. The various shapes and sizes may be designed to fit various plants, garden spaces and/or planters, for example. Frames  10 ,  10 ′ and other connected frames may all be identical or are preferably at least sufficiently similar that they may be connected end-to-end in a modular fashion in various lengths and/or shapes. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the right connector is preferably a hook or loop member such as loop  32 . The loop  32  is preferably curved around pole  14  to surround the pole  14  while also being large enough to leave an open loop space  33  in which a leg of another frame is inserted. The loop  32  is preferably fixed to pole  14  by welding, for example. In  FIG. 6 , one may see that the left leg  17  of frame  10 ′ is inserted through the loop  32  to be parallel and closely adjacent to (and/or touching) the right leg  19  of frame  10 . Thus captured in the loop, the left leg  17  may rotate in the loop  32 , to allow the leg  17  to pivot relative to frame  10 . 
         [0039]    Details of connection of two frames  10 ,  10 ′ are shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  7 A and  8 . Portions of the two frames  10 ,  10 ′ are called out with similar numbers but with the portions of frame  10 ′ marked with a prime. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the left connector is a connector  30  that surrounds and is fixed to the left arm  13  of the frame  10 ′ just above the top rung  21 ′. Connector  30  is shown as a hollow cylinder in the drawings, but may be other shapes, such as an oval, ring, hook, or other shapes that surround or extend from the left arm  13  to surround or otherwise capture the right arm  15  of an adjacent frame. For example, the connector may be a ½ inch inner diameter galvanized steel cylinder welded to the upending left arm  13  of pole  12 ′. The connector  30  is fixed to the left arm  13  so that the arm  13  is off-center in the cylindrical interior space of the connector, preferably fixed to the inner wall of the interior space and extending less than half way across the diameter of the interior space. This way, there is room in the interior space for slidably receiving the right arm  15  of frame  10  parallel and closely adjacent to (and/or touching) the left arm  13  of frame  10 ′. Thus captured in the connector  30 , the right arm  15  may rotate in the connector  30 , to allow the arm  15  to pivot relative to frame  10 ′. In alternative embodiments, connector  30  or another encircling/cap member may be detachable from left arm  13 , for lowering onto both left arm  13  and right arm  15 , once the left arm  13  and the right arm  15  are placed closely adjacent, to connect the arms  13 ,  15 . 
         [0041]    From the above description and the figures, one may understand that connection between frames of certain embodiments comprises only rotatable connection near the top and the bottom of the frames that allow the frames to pivot relative to each other. In the preferred embodiments, the rotatable connections of arm  15  to connector  30 , and of leg  17  to loop  32 , with no other required connections between the frames  10 ,  10 ′, are sufficient to pivotally connect frames throughout a growing season until the user purposely disconnects them. In certain embodiments, connections other than those formed by connector  30  and loop  32  may be made, for example, hinges, ties, hooks, flexible connectors, or straps may be used to hold frames together. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the connector  30  of frame  10 ′ and the leg  17 ′ of frame  10 ′ both slide downward onto/into the cooperating portions of frame  10 , specifically, top arm  15  of frame  10  and loop  32  of frame  10 . Thus, in  FIG. 8 , the movement of the frame  10 ′ downward relative to frame  10  accomplishes the connection, without any significant bending, bowing, or disassembly (and preferably without any bending, bowing, or disassembly) of either frame. 
         [0043]    The two frames  10 ,  10 ′ in  FIG. 8  are preferably connected when they are generally co-planar, for example, about 180 degrees apart or in the range of about 141-180 degrees apart, or more preferably about 150-180 degrees apart. When in such an orientation, during connection and after connection, the rungs of frame  10  do not abut into the rungs of frame  10 ′. For example, this may be accomplished by rungs  21 - 24 , and the left end of rung  25 , not extending out beyond their respective poles  12 ,  14 , or less preferably, only extending out beyond the poles  12 ,  14  a very limited distance. During connection, the ends of rungs  21 - 24 , and the left end of rung  25 , move/slide past each other until frame  10 ′ is fully lowered relative to frame  10 . In this “fully-lowered” position, the bottom rung  25  of frame  10 ′ rests on the bottom rung  25  of frame  10 , that is, on the loop  32  of rung  25  of frame  10 . It may be noted that adjacent frames, in certain embodiments, will not pivot very far, if at all, past “co-planar” (past 180 degrees), for example, because rungs and/or connectors interfere with said pivoting past co-planar. For example, one may see that rungs  21 ,  21 ′ in  FIG. 7  may interfere with the two frames in  FIG. 7  pivoting toward the viewer of  FIG. 7  past approximately co-planar. 
         [0044]    To accommodate the bottom rung&#39;s resting on the loop  32  without frame  10 ′ being pushed up at its left side relative to the right side of frame  10 , bottom rung  25  is slanted slightly upward from the right to the left, as may be seen in  FIG. 1 . In other words, the bottom rung of each frame  10 ,  10 ′ is slanted upward from right to left and its right end is connected slightly higher on vertical member  14  than its left end is connected on vertical member  12 . 
         [0045]    After connection of the frames  10 ,  10 ′, it will be common to pivot the frames relative to each other, for example, to make a square unit, a rectangular unit, a polygonal unit such as a hexagon, or a zig-zag unit. When two frames  10 ,  10 ′ are pivoted rearward, from their position in  FIG. 8 , to be at an angle rather than generally co-planar, for example, an angle of about 140 degrees or less (about 90 degrees for a square unit), the inner rungs  22  and  24  of frame  10  will crossover the corresponding inner rungs  22 ,  24  of frame  10 ′, acting as a latch/lock to block or at least hinder vertical movement of frame  10 ′ upward relative to frame  10 . See  FIG. 7A . A vertical movement of frame  10 ′ upward relative to frame  10  is required in order to disconnect the frames  10 ,  10 ′ (the opposite action compared to  FIG. 8 ), this latch/lock feature helps keep a multiple-frame unit (when its frames are at angles to each other) connected and stable. This way, frames connected and “latched” or “locked” in this way will tend to resist disconnection, for example, by wind, gardeners working with the supported/closed plants, or animals pushing on the unit. When the gardener wishes to separate the frames, he/she may pivot the unit to move two given frames to be close to, or generally, co-planar, for example at least 141 degrees apart, so that the connector  30  and the leg  17  may be lifted up away from the other frame&#39;s arm  15  and loop  32 , respectively. For example, in the case of a square unit, the “square” may be collapsed to a diamond shape comprising two frame-connection angles each of about 150 degrees between frames, and two frame-connection angles each of about 30 degrees, so that the frames forming the larger angles (about 150 degrees) of the diamond may be disconnected from each other. 
         [0046]    Note that the above-described latch feature is enabled by virtue of the right ends of the rungs  22 ,  24  being higher on the frame that the left ends of the rungs  22 ,  24 , that is, the right ends of rungs  22 ,  24  are connected slightly higher on vertical member  14  than the left ends of rungs  22 ,  24  are connected to vertical member  12 . Because the rungs  22 ,  24  are preferably straight rods, this translates to the rungs being slanted downward from the right to the left. 
         [0047]    It will be understood that each frame  10 ,  10 ′ may be effective in supporting a plant, for example, a tomato plant, a vine plant such as peas or beans, or other plants. The rungs  21 - 25  provide horizontal support, while the spaces between the rungs are comfortably wide enough for the gardener to reach through for manipulation, trimming, or picking of plant branches, leaves and/or fruit/vegetables. Preferably, each frame is about 34-36 tall including the connector  30  and the legs  17 ,  19 , and the spaces between the rungs are about 8 inches. A gardener may use additional means, such as conventional ties or wraps, to direct or control the branches of the plant being grown, if desired. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  5 A shown one but not the only embodiment of the frame  10  being adapted to provide protection/shielding. A single frame  10  is shown in  FIG. 4 , with a side panel  40  (dashed lines) inserted into the frame, and it will be understood that frame  10 ′ and other identical or similar frames may also receive the same or similar side panels. In most embodiments, the side panels  40  will be solid and continuous, at least on the front or rear surface of the panel and optionally all through the panel. This way, such solid and continuous panels may block cold and wind from the interior space  35  (the space inside the boundary formed by the frames), for shielding and protecting the plant(s) contained therein. Gaps between the panels and the frame and/or between the frames may allow air flow into the interior space  35 , but these gaps are preferably small and allowed air flow will be small. In certain embodiments, side panels  40  will be translucent or transparent, to allow light into the unit interior space for plant growth as soon as the soil temperature allows, even if the ambient air or nights are cool. Alternatively, one or more portions of the panel, or the entire panel, may be opaque, for providing shade or partial shade for the plant(s) within the unit interior space. 
         [0049]    The preferred panels  40  are firm plastic or generally rigid plastic, for example, ¼ inch thick plastic panels that are self-supporting but that may flex slightly to make insertion into the frames convenient. For example, ¼ inch thick clear, or other highly-light-transmitting, polycarbonate sheets may be used for as transparent/translucent panels. Or, ¼inch thick, opaque panels may be used as panels for hardening-off or other shading applications. Twin-wall corrugated plastic or polycarbonate sheets are especially-preferred, as they are strong, durable, generally rigid, and yet light-weight. The preferred roof panel  140 , described later in this document, may be selected from the same materials as the side panels  40 , for example. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  illustrate how the panel is captured between the rungs  21 - 24 , which alternate being outside rungs and inside rungs by being connected to the front and back of the vertical members, respectively. Thus, it will be understood that the alternating rungs form a generally vertical space  50  between the rungs that can receive a thin sheet such as panel  40 . As the poles  12 ,  14  are about ¼ inch in diameter, and the rungs defining the front and the rear of the space  50  are fixed to the front and rear of the poles, the space is about ¼ inch wide all along its length. The panel is inserted into, and pulled from, that space  50  from the top of the frame, as shown in  FIG. 5A . The fully-inserted panel  40  rests on a stop, such as the rung protrusion  52  of the bottom rung  25 , which extends out across/underneath the space  50  to prevent the panel  40  from falling/going below the bottom rung  25 . It is preferred that the panel be sized to fill most or all of the distance between the poles  12 ,  14  and most or all of the space extending from the top surface of the bottom rung  25  to about the top rung  21 , for efficiently blocking most of the wind and cold from entering the unit interior space  35 . The panel top edge may extend up slightly higher than the bottom rung  25 , or the panel may be flexible enough that a user can flex the top end of the panel to grasp the top edge, for pulling the panel up out of the frame. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  shows an example of four frames being connected in a square unit  100 , comprising panels  40  (in dashed lines) in the two frames  10 ,  10 ′ at the front of the figure. The two other frames  11 ,  11 ′ in this figure are shown without panels, but panels may be inserted into frames  11 ,  11 ′ if desired for further shielding/protection. The unit  100  as configured in  FIG. 9  could be useful in protecting plants inside the interior space  35  from wind approaching the front of the unit (panels  40 ,  40 ′), and, if panels are inserted into all four frames, from wind or cold air around the entire unit  100 . 
         [0052]    The legs of the unit  100 , below the bottom rungs ( 25 ), may rest on a surface such as garden dirt, a patio, rocks or gravel, or optionally may be pushed into said dirt or gravel. It is preferred that the frames not be “pounded” into the ground, and stakes or pins (not shown) may be connected to the frames for securing the unit  100  to the ground. Preferably, said stakes or pins are placed through a ring or loop (not shown) provided at the intersection of the vertical poles and the bottom rung, so that the ring/loop and stakes or pins do not interfere with insertion of the panel all the way down to the bottom rung of the frame. 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  shows one embodiment of a roof  120  that may be installed on top of a unit, for example, on top of unit  100  of  FIG. 9 , forming unit  200 . The roof  120  comprises two brackets  122  that are installed over the four connectors  30  of the frames, by means of two holes  124  in each bracket  122  removably sliding over two connectors  30 . A horizontal roof panel  140  slides into inner channels  126  of two brackets  122  that face each other. Example details of the roof  120 , and how the panel  140  may be slid in and out of the brackets  122 , are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Unit  200  is shown in  FIG. 10A  with the roof closed and with two side panels installed and a small plant being protected inside the unit  200 . Panels  40  may be installed in any number of the frames, but during the first weeks of spring, panels will typically be installed in all four frames to protect the plant(s). This way, the plants are protected and start to grow quickly inside the enclosed or substantially-enclosed unit  200  once the soil warms to a temperature above about 50 degree F. 
         [0054]    The unit  200  may also aid in the known process of “hardening-off” a plant when it has just been transplanted outdoors from a greenhouse. For example, during the first days after transplanting a tomato plant out to the garden, panels may be installed all around the plant, with some or all being opaque or partially-opaque panels to shield the plant from the bright sun, in the “hardening-off” process. After this process, the opaque/partially-opaque panels may be replaced with transparent/translucent panels for accelerating growth by allowing light to reach the plant while continuing protection from cold and wind. 
         [0055]    Once the soil and the weather warms, the roof may be opened by removing the roof panel  140  from the brackets, and one, multiple, or all of the side panels  40  may be removed.  FIG. 10B  illustrates the unit of  FIGS. 10 and 10A  modified to be unit  200 ′, wherein the roof panel  140  and all the side panels  40  are removed but the roof brackets  122  are still in place. The plant in  FIG. 10B  has grown up out of the top of the unit  200 ′, and multiple branches of the plant are extending between, and being supported by, the rungs of the frames. Alternatively,  FIG. 10B  may represent that a unit may conveniently be installed around a larger plant, because frames may be disconnected from each other to open-up the unit. Thus, a gardener may install a unit around a larger plant, lay branches over the appropriate rungs or the brackets for support, and close the unit by reconnection of the frames. 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a unit  300  of four frames, without a roof and with opaque panels in the front two frames. It may be understood that the rear two panels may be open, that is, not holding panels, so that the rear two panels may support the plant, for example. Such an embodiment may be used to shield newly-transplanted plants from too much sun, for example, for hardening-off. Such an embodiment illustrates that the panels are held behind several of the rungs ( 21  and  23 ) but in front of the other rungs ( 22  and  24 ).  FIG. 12  shows a rear view of the front two frames and their panels, of unit  300  of  FIG. 11 , so that one may see the rungs  22 ,  24  visible at the back of the panels. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 15 and 16  and  16 A illustrate that certain embodiments of frames may be stacked on top of each other, for example, to form a two-frame-high unit  400 .  FIGS. 16 and 16A  show only about the lower half of an upper set  420  of four frames that is stacked on the lower set  410  of frames (in order to allow the figures to be enlarged), but it will be understood that the upper set  420  of frames may be the same as the lower set  410  of frames. For example, the upper set  420  may be stacked and connected to the lower set  410 , by inserting the legs  430  of the upper set  420  into the connectors  30  of the lower set  410 . As shown to best advantage in  FIG. 15 , the legs  430  of upper set  420  extend into the open tops of the connectors  30 , for example, to rest on the top surfaces of the upwardly-extending arms  440  of the lower unit  410 . Thus, it may be desirable that the connectors  30  are axially longer than is necessary simply to house and pivotally connect the lower unit&#39;s arms  440  together, because both the arms  440  and the legs  430  preferably extend to about the middle of the connectors  30 . 
         [0058]    Stacking of frames may be advantageous, especially during the later weeks of the growing season, when tall plants may need to be supported. Or, as shown in  FIG. 16A , a stacked unit  400  may be beneficial if the plant(s) inside the interior space of the unit  400  is/are in a planter/pot and, hence, is/are raised above the surrounding garden or patio. This way, the stacked unit  400  may rest on the ground/patio around the planter, rather than on/in the dirt inside the planter. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate two, but not the only, alternative configurations of the modular system, wherein multiple frames are connected. In  FIG. 17 , a long rectangular unit  500  is formed, for example, for a row of tomato plants; panels are shown in the front three panels, but no panels, one or more panels, or one panel for each frame, may be used. For example, more panels or differently-placed panels, could be used for additional wind, cold, and/or sun protection. Or, no panels could be used, for example in the peak of the growing season. In  FIG. 18 , a zig-zag “support fence” unit  600  of frames is provided, for example, to allow a row of vine plants to grow up the unit  600 . Because certain of the frames will not, when connected to each other, pivot past about 180 degrees from each other,  FIG. 18  shows pairs of frames connected, with adjacent pairs tied together. In other words, pairs of frames A and B, frames C and D, and frames E and F, are pivoted rearward in  FIG. 18  to about 90-100 degrees from each other. However, frames B and C and frames D and E are disconnected, because their positions in  FIG. 18  would require that, if connected, they could pivot forward relative to each other (toward the viewer, past 180 degrees, in  FIG. 18 ). An upper stack of frames could be added to either unit  500 ,  600 , especially if the lower frames were staked into the ground. It will be understood that frame units of various other shapes may be formed from the modular frames. It will be understood that many of the preferred embodiments comprise planar or generally planar frames, preferably with add-on panels that are also planar or generally planar, and that these embodiments are generally, substantially, or entirely vertical rather than conical, for example, not of the “conical tomato cage” type commonly available on the market. It will also be understood that the frames are disconnectable, and stackable with frames and panels parallel to one another, for easy transport and storage in a small space. A bag or cover may be supplied, preferably with a handle for carrying the disconnected frames and panels to a winter storage location. 
         [0060]    It may be noted that, while the preferred method and means of installing and retaining the protective panels has been described above, other methods and means may be used in certain embodiments, for example, channels, ties or straps, clips or other fasteners. For example, in certain embodiments, channels may be provided into which the panel is slid for holding the panel on/near to the frame to provide the above-described protective/shielding functions. For example, in  FIG. 19A , rather than being retained between alternating front and rear rungs, a panel  40  is received in and between two inwardly-facing channels C that are between the vertical poles  12 ,  14 . In  FIG. 19A , the channels C may be fixed to the vertical poles and/or the rungs, for example. Rung  21  and the loop  32  of rung  25  are shown in the top view of  FIG. 19A . Also, the connector  30  is shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 19A . All of the rungs in  FIG. 19A  may be on one side of the vertical poles  12 ,  14 , rather than being staggered front and back, for example.  FIG. 19B  shows an embodiment with rungs alternating between the two sides of the frame, as described above in this document, with channels C receiving the panel  40 . The channels C may be fixed to some of the rungs, for example including rung  22  and the other rungs on that same side of the frame. Panels slidably received in channels may be held from falling down from the channels by various stops, pins, or other fasteners. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 20A  and B illustrate some but not the only ways of holding a panel on the frame with tie(s) and/or clip(s). For example, in  FIG. 20A , ties or straps T1 pass through small apertures in the panel  40  and around the vertical poles  12 ,  14 . Ties or straps T2 pass through small apertures in the panel  40  and around one or more rungs, such as around rung  21 . Clip CL is shown as one example of many clips that could extend around members of the frame (rungs or poles, for example) and engage the panel to hold the panel instead of, or in addition to, the channels or ties/straps holding the panel.  FIGS. 20A  and B suggest that all the rungs are on one side of the frame (below the poles  12 ,  13  on the page in these views), rather than being staggered, but it will be understood that ties or clips could be used in embodiments wherein the rungs are staggered.  FIG. 20B , which also illustrates an embodiment wherein ties/straps T2 extend through small apertures in the panel  40  and around at least one of the rungs, places the panel  40  on one side of the frame, away from the vertical posts  12 ,  14 . It is easy to see that, with the panel placed as it is in  FIG. 20B , the panel would not interfere with rungs being on the other side of the vertical posts as well (above the poles  12 ,  14  on the page in this view). 
         [0062]    Therefore, one may describe certain embodiments of the invention as a plant growing system for protecting at least one plant, the system comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: multiple frames, wherein each frame comprises two generally vertical poles at or near right and left extremities of the frame, and each pole has a front surface and a rear surface, and each frame further comprises multiple generally horizontal rungs fixed to the poles at or near the outer ends of the rungs, wherein said rungs comprise at least one front rung fixed to the front surface of the poles and said rungs comprise at least one rear rung fixed to the rear surface of the poles, so there is a vertical space between the at least one front rung and the at least one rear rung and between the two poles; wherein each frame is connected to at least one other of the frames at or near the right or left extremity of the frame; and wherein at least one of the frames further comprises a panel slidably received in said space for blocking wind, cold air, or sun from passing through the frame between the rungs, wherein the panel is insertable into the space, and removable from the space, by sliding the panel parallel to the poles in between said at least one front rung and said at least one rear rung. The connected frames may form an upending sidewall that defines an interior space with an open top and an open bottom, the sidewall having a transverse cross-section selected from the group consisting of square, a rectangular, a triangle, and a polygon. Each frame may, for example, form one side of the polygon. Alternatively, the connected frames may take the form of an elongated upending fence or trellis, wherein the two end frames are only connected to one frame each (rather than each and every frame being attached to two other frames, as would be the case in a square, rectangle or other polygon). In certain embodiments, a panel such as described above in this paragraph may be received in the vertical space of each of the frames of the sidewall to block wind and cold air from entering the interior space through the frames, or, in the case of the fence/trellis, from passing through the frames to the back side of the fence/trellis. In certain embodiments, a roof may be provided above the sidewall to give the option of closing the top of the interior space. The roof may comprise a slidable roof panel for closing or opening said open top of the interior space. The side panels may be translucent or transparent to allow light into the interior space, or to allow light behind the fence/trellis. Or, at least some of the side panels may be opaque for shading the interior space or shading the space behind the fence/trellis. The roof panel may be translucent, transparent or opaque for similar goals of light transmission or shading. 
         [0063]    It is preferred that the frames be pivotally connected so that they may be modules of units of various shapes. The frames are pivotally connected by means that allow them to be disconnected when desired. For example, a hollow connector, or other surrounding/hooking/capturing connector, at a top end of each frame may be rotatably received over an upending top arm of an adjacent frame and a lower leg of each frame may be rotatably received inside a hollow/surrounding/hooking/capturing connector at a lower end of the adjacent frame. Said connector at said top end of each frame may be a hollow cylindrical connector and the hollow connector at said lower end of the adjacent frame may an open loop at an end of a bottom one of said rungs, but other shapes may be used that surround, hook or otherwise capture (preferably rotatably) the adjacent frames cooperating structure. The upper connector (such as connector  30 ) may be adapted, for example have room at its top even when connected to an adjacent frame, to receive depending legs of a stacked set of frames for a two-high modular unit. When the frames are at angles that place them close to each other, for example, at angles of about 140 degrees or less, ends of the inner rungs may interfere with disconnection of the frames, by the ends preventing relative vertical movement of the frames in directions that would disconnect the hollow connectors from their cooperating/received members. For example, an end of said at least one inner rung of each frame overhangs an end of the at least one inner rung of an adjacent frame to prevent the frames from being pulled vertically apart to disconnect the frames. 
         [0064]    In other embodiments, the invention may be described as a plant protection system comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: an upstanding frame comprising two generally vertical poles at or near right and left extremities of the frame, and multiple generally horizontal rungs fixed to the poles at or near the outer ends of the rungs, wherein said rungs comprise at least one front rung fixed to a front surface of the poles and at least one rear rung fixed to a rear surface of the poles, so there is a vertical space between the at least one front rung and the at least one rear rung and between the two poles; and a panel slidably received in the space the panel parallel to the poles in between said at least one front rung and said at least one rear rung, so that the panel blocks wind, cold air, or sun from passing through the frame between the rungs to protect a plant growing behind the frame. Certain of these embodiments may be described as a trellis or fence that is elongated and has end frames connected each only to one other frame (rather than being connected in a polygon). Multiple of the frames may comprise one of said panels and at least one of the panels may be transparent or translucent. Or, multiple of the frames may comprise one of said panels and at least one of the panels may be opaque. Said multiple frames may be pivotally connected by a top hollow member being provided at or near an upper end of the left vertical side edge of each frame and a bottom hollow member being provided at or near the lower end of the right vertical side edge of each frame, wherein said each top hollow member and said bottom hollow member rotatably receive elongated members of adjacent frames. Said elongated members of adjacent frames may be selected from the group consisting of, for example, an upending arm at a top end of the each frame and a depending leg at a bottom end of each frame. The top hollow member of each frame may be a hollow cylinder adapted to receive depending legs of an upper set of connected frames for stacking frames on top of each other, so that there may be a lower set of frames and an upper set of frame. The bottom hollow member of each frame may be a loop protruding from an end of a bottom-most rung of each frame. 
         [0065]    In certain embodiments, whether the frames are connected in a polygon sidewall shape or a fence/trellis form, and whether a single set of frames is used, or stacked sets of frames are used, all the frames may be identical in structure, or so very close in structure. This way, multiple frames may be provided in a modular kit that can be used to make many different frame units, wherein the individual frames are interchangeable with any other frame in the unit. 
         [0066]    In certain embodiments, the invention may be described as a modular plant growing system for protecting and supporting at least one plant, the system comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: multiple vertical frames each comprising generally vertical poles at or near right and left extremities of the frame, and multiple generally horizontal rungs connected to the poles at or near outer ends of the rungs, said frames removably and pivotally connected together at or near said right and left extremities to form a vertical upending sidewall defining an interior space for receiving a plant; and panels removably attached to a plurality of the frames to block wind, cold air, or sun from passing through said plurality of frames, the panels being removable from the plurality of frames to allow wind, air and sun to pass into the interior space and to allow the plant to grow through and be supported by at least one of the frames. Each panel may be removably attached, for example, by one or more connections selected from the group of: the rungs of the frame being offset to front and back of the frame to form a vertical space between the offset rungs slidably receiving said panel; channels slidably receiving edges of the panels; ties; straps; clips; and other fasteners. The modularity results from adaptations of certain embodiments wherein all the frames are interchangeable, all the side panels are interchangeable, the frames are pivotally connected and pivot at least 90 degrees relative to each other (and more preferably at least 130 degrees, and more preferably at least 160 degrees), and, optionally, the frames may be stackable. In certain embodiments, the connected frames pivot almost 180 degrees relative to each other, for example, about 170 degrees. The number of frames and angles between the frames may be selected so that the sidewall is of many different shapes, for example, a transverse cross-section selected from the group of: square, a rectangular, a triangle, and a polygon. Or, a support fence, with frames in a line or zig-zag, may be formed. Another adaptation in certain embodiments may be that, when the frames are at less than a certain angle (for example, less than about 150 degrees, less than about 140 degrees, less than about 130 degrees, or less than about 120 degrees) to each other, the frames are not disconnectable, and when the frames are at that certain angle or greater (for example, at 150 degrees or greater, at 140 degrees or greater, at 130 degrees or greater, or at 120 degrees or greater) to each other, the frames are disconnectable. Said certain angle is preferably 140 degrees in many embodiments, as this allows the “locking/latching” of the frames from disconnection when the frames are in most polygonal shapes, for example, up to and including a nonagon (triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, and nonagon) because the interior angles of all these polygons are each 140 degrees or less. 
         [0067]    Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claim.