GB2579900A

GB2579900A - Portable garden units

Info

Publication number: GB2579900A
Application number: GB1915405.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barclay Alan; Sage Philip; Boddington Xanthe; Sage Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-14
Filing date: 2019-10-24
Publication date: 2020-07-08
Also published as: GB201915405D0; GB2578919A; GB201818556D0

Abstract

A fully portable garden unit 1 is disclosed comprising a container 13 having sides 2 and a base 4, the sides extending upwards for a predetermined height, and also provided with handling means such as lifting points. The unit has a growing medium located within the container, tankage 7 for holding water and/or nutrient and means to transfer the water and/or nutrient into or onto the growing medium. A sensor monitors plants growing in/on the growing medium and detects when watering, feeding or treatment for predetermined conditions is required. A control means 11 is provided to respond to the sensor output and/or to other signals to tend and nurture the plants and to provide an alert when a particular predetermined condition is detected. The unit can be carried from one location to another. The container maybe based on ISO standard container sizes.

Description

PORTABLE GARDEN UNITS

This specification relates to apparatus for providing portable units within which a garden or 5 green space may be constructed and tended and which may be carried from one location to another.

Whether it is a perfectly tended parterre, the rolling acres at a stately home, a small suburban plot, tubs on a patio, a window box or just pots on a windowsill, the presence of plants is a calming and beneficial influence on most people. The care given to plants, such as regular watering and feeding, often provides solace, relaxation and a regular activity as a contrast to modem hectic lifestyles. As people seek a better quality of life, the role of plants and gardens and 'getting in harmony with nature' assumes ever greater importance.

For many elderly people, tending a few plants, for example in a greenhouse, is therapeutic and an essential part of their daily lives and provides topics of interest and conversation with like-minded friends. Unfortunately, as people age, bending becomes more difficult and, as conditions like arthritis assume more prominence, jobs involving bending, like weeding and planting seeds, etc., become more difficult, if not impossible. Raised beds do offer some relief but most are only a few inches above ground level and many people, particularly those in wheelchairs, would like something at waist level; to construct beds at this height is normally a costly job for builders. People in Care Homes are encouraged to engage in therapeutic activities and gardening is ideal, providing bending is not a problem.

There are restaurants where fresh food is highly prized and access to a garden where, for example, fresh herbs can be picked and immediately incorporated in the food being served, provides an extra level of 'quality'. Having access to a viable garden in a busy city centre would be a significant advantage. Other applications could be roof gardens, allotments or, for a Garden Centre to have a ready-made portable garden, or series of gardens, which could be easily transported (i.e. carried) to Garden Festivals or Flower Shows to represent that, or another, organisation.

It is known to grow plants in trays, or the like, under intensive cultivation conditions, e.g. US 2017/099790 Al (Gonyer), US 2014/196363 Al (Energy) and US 9986697 A (Gurin), where the trays are slidable, backwards and forwards, between growing and planting / harvesting locations but these are not portable in the sense that they are not 'carried' in the true meaning of 'portable' (from the Latin 'portare' = to carry).

There is thus a significant need for a truly portable garden unit, which can meet some / all of the above requirements, particularly if the unit is available in the form of a 'raised garden'.

According to the invention, there is provided a portable garden unit comprising:-i) an open-toppped container having sides and a base, the sides extending upwards for a predetermined height, and also provided with handling means such as lifting points so that it may be carried between one location and another, ii) a growing medium located within the container; iii) tankage for holding water and / or nutrient; iv) means to transfer water and I or nutrient into or onto the growing medium; v) a sensor to monitor plants growing in / on the growing medium and detect when they require attention such as watering or treatment for predetermined conditions and able to provide an output when routine, remedial and / or corrective action needs to be taken; and vi) a control means adapted to respond to the sensor output and / or to other signals to determine when, what and how much tending the plants in the garden unit require, such as routine (e.g. watering), remedial (e.g. providing nutrient) and / or corrective (e.g. disease control) measure(s), and to cause the necessary action to be taken and to provide an alert when a particular predetermined condition is detected; characterised in that seeds may be sown and / or plants grown in the growing medium in the container and tended as appropriate and that the sensor monitors the condition of the plants and external factors and provides an input to the control means to provide routine, remedial and / or corrective treatment when predetermined conditions are detected or an alert, as appropriate, and further characterised in that the garden unit can be carried from a first location to another location either before / after seeds or plants are therein.

According to a first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the container has an open top and is sized to ISO standard dimensions and provided with the standard ISO corner, 30 lifting and stacking members.

According to a second variation of the apparatus of the invention, the height of the sides of the container is such that the total height of the apparatus is between 0.75 and 1.25m (3050 inches).

According to a third variation of the apparatus of the invention, wheels and height adjustable levelling feet or components are provided to move the garden unit and to accommodate uneven ground in its final position.

According to a fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, additional items are provided including vertical members, such as fencing and / or safety barriers and / or means for plants to climb up or for the attachment of side curtains or horizontal covers and / or an external access ramp or steps.

According to a fifth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the growing medium includes soil, compost or a material suitable for hydroponic cultivation.

According to a sixth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the tankage includes separate tanks for water and a nutrient solution and optionally for any specific treatment a particular plant might require with each tank, having means to fill it, withdraw liquid from it and an overflow.

According to a seventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the container is provided with means to allow excess water in the growing medium to drain into the water tank.

According to an eighth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the water transfer means includes either pumping and / or capillary and / or gravity systems, piping, valves, means to withdraw water, nutrient and / or optional treatments from their tanks, meter them and / or mix them together and discharge them into / onto the growing medium via either / both capillary or spray means.

According to a ninth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the sensor monitors the plants both in and above the growing medium using appropriate senses e.g. visual, chemical and / or audible means.

According to a tenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the sensor monitors all / any of moisture, nutrient levels, humidity, pH, temperature (air and growing medium), air quality and pressure, wind speed and direction, light levels, direct rainfall, UV radiation and unauthorised access to the garden unit.

According to an eleventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the control means is electronic in nature and adapted to respond to an output from the sensor and / or an internal clock and / or an external input and to control the operation of the tending means using predetermined algorithms programmed into its electronic memory and to record and log the sensor output, and / or time and / or external input and actions taken.

According to a twelfth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the control means (first control means) is linked to a second control means at a remote location via either a hard wire or wireless connection and the first control means is adapted to transfer logged data to the second control means so that the data is accessible from either control means and to accept inputs from the second control means and act on these inputs to tend the plants.

According to a thirteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the alert provided by the first control means is audible and / or visual and effective at both control means and, optionally, at another designated point(s).

According to a fourteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the tankage, pumping and control means are located underneath the container and growing medium and the pumping and control means are accessible via an openable panel.

According to a fifteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the pumping and control means are mounted on a means so that they may be withdrawn from under the container for maintenance and the pipe connections are provided by flexible piping.

According to a sixteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the pumps, tankage and control means are located in a compartment within or above the container.

According to a seventeenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, a storage space is provided under the container.

According to an eighteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, connections are provided to access some / all of mains water, drainage, electricity and the second remote control means.

According to a nineteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, vertical spacing members are provided so that containers may be stacked one on top of another but with a space between each adjacent pair either to transport planted units or so that plants may be grown at different levels.

According to a twentieth variation of the apparatus of the invention, special features are provided and include any / all of a fountain, water course, pool, paving, hanging basket(s) / trough(s) and light(s) / lighting effects and, where appropriate, are operable or tended by either / both control means.

According to a twenty first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the container is constructed of panels of metal, treated wood or polymer material attached to a metal structure designed to accept the relevant lifting, stacking and working loads.

According to a twenty second variation of the apparatus of the invention, the structure to which the separate panels are fittable provides the structural integrity for handling, lifting, transporting and stacking the garden units and gives further strength for the attachment of additional items and / or special features.

According to a twenty third variation of the apparatus of the invention, solar panels are provided on the external side(s) of the unit and the power generated stored in a battery and used to power the pump, the control means, sensor, lighting or any ancilliary equipment associated with the garden unit.

In a preferred application of the apparatus of the invention, the garden unit is fully portable and provides a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent roof garden, city or suburban garden, allotment garden or display garden with fully automated facilities allowing a person to tend or operate the garden either locally or from the remote control means. Garden units may be used singly or in combination, either end-to-end or side-by-side.

In a preferred design, the garden unit is an open-topped container, partly filled with a growing medium and located on top of a service module containing water and nutrient tanks, watering means, such as pumps and capillary systems, a control unit and a storage locker. The control system may be fully automated with the watering and feeding performed as required using the input from sensors located both above and within the growing medium. Ideally the control unit communicates with a remote terminal so that the gardener can be aware what operations have been performed and if any particular conditions have been detected, e.g. disease, or insect attack, requiring his I her attention. Sensors in each tank would warn of low liquid levels.

As they are fully portable, planted garden units may be provided for special situations and 5 changed as and when required, e.g. as the seasons change. Garden units may be used for food production or as decorations for outside events. Preferred designs are based on the ISO standard container dimensions, though with reduced height and are provided with the same lifting and stacking fitments so that they can be stacked, transported on a lorry, lifted with the lorry's crane or a mobile crane and positioned as required. This could include roof top locations, provided a sufficiently capable crane was available. Wheels and levelling feet / components permit accurate location and levelling. Natural rainfall would be used and excess stored in the water tank or discharged to a drain when the tank was full. It is a feature of the invention that the garden units of the disclosure may be lifted and carried, whether planted or not, from one location to another.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, orthogonal projection of one example of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 1A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 1; Figure 1B is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. i Figure 1C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 1; Figure 10 is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 1; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic, orthogonal projection of the apparatus of the invention in Fig. 1 showing additional items / features; Figure 2A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 2; Figure 2B is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 2; Figure 2C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 2; Figure 2D is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 2; (Figures 2A-D and 5-8A-D below are conventional orthogonal engineering drawing projections that the skilled person will understand. No references are made to the rear elevation or base unless specific features relevant to the invention are included.) Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation of three items of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 planted up and stacked one above another and separated by struts; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic end elevation of the three items of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic orthogonal projection of the apparatus of the invention shown in Fig, 1 fitted with an access ramp; Figure 5A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 5; Figure 5B is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 5; Figure 5C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 5; Figure 50 is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 5; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic orthogonal projection of the apparatus of the invention shown in Fig, 1 planted and fitted as a formal garden; Figure 6A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 6; Figure BB is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 6; Figure 6C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 6; Figure 6D is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 6; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic orthogonal projection of the apparatus of the invention shown in Fig, 1 showing the sub-growing medium watering means; Figure 7A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 7; Figure 7B is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 7; Figure 7C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 7; Figure 7D is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 7; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic orthogonal projection of the apparatus of the invention shown in Fig, 1 showing another means of sub-irrigation; Figure 8A is a side elevation of the left end of the apparatus in Fig. 8; Figure 8B is a front elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 8; Figure 8C is a side elevation of the right end of the apparatus in Fig. 8; Figure 8D is a plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 8; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic front elevation of three units of the apparatus of the invention stacked one on top of the other in a storage mode.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the three units shown in Fig, 9; Figure 11A is a diagrammatic front elevation of two units of the apparatus of the invention located end-to-end; Figure 11B is a diagrammatic side elevation of two units of the apparatus of the invention located side-by-side; and Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of the two units in Fig. 116 located side-by-side.

In the following description, the same reference numeral is used for the same component in different Figures and / or for different components fulfilling identical functions.

Referring to Figs. 1A-D, a portable garden container 1 consists of panels forming sides 2, ends 3 and base 4. Base 4 separates growing container 13 from the lower part 14. Growing container 13 is rectangular and open topped into which a growing medium is placed. Lower part 14 contains tanks 7 for water, nutrient solution 8 and any other special liquid treatments particular plants might require, pumps 11, the electronic control system 11 and storage spaces, e.g. accessed by panels 12. Panels 12 may also be provided at the rear for easier access to the storage spaces. A base panel 5 is provided. For easy access and maintenance, the pumps and valve equipment, etc. could be mounted on a slide and connected by flexible piping so that the equipment could be slid out from underneath the container.

Sides 2, ends 3 and base panels 4 and 5 would be of metal, treated wood or polymer and would be fitted around a metal support structure 6 and fixed 10 at regular intervals to provide a robust structure. Ideally, garden unit 1 would be sized to ISO container dimensions, i.e. 8ft wide by 20ft long though only 0.75-1.25m (30-50 inches) high. The top and bottom corners would feature the standard ISO lifting points and stacking feet. Thus, the garden units could be craned into position using a small, mobile crane, and stacked one on top of another. Even including growing medium, fully planted and with full water and nutrient tanks, the all up weight would be well within the ISO standards and within the capacity of most mobile cranes. Structure 6 would be robustly constructed to maintain the dimensional integrity of garden unit 1, whether empty or fully planted, whether being craned, stacked, transported or in its designated location.

In a preferred design, the top edge of the garden unit would be 1m high (40ins, 40") and the bed 4 of the growing container 13 would be 500mm (20") above ground level, so container 13 would be about 500mm (20") deep. Capillary matting 30 and / or a sub-irrigation system (Fig. 7) would be laid on bed 4 and about 250mm (9") of growing medium placed in container 13. The growing medium could be soil, compost or a hydroponic medium.

As the top edge of container 13 is lm (40") high, i.e. about waist height for an averagely tall person, and the width 15 is 8ft, a person would have only to reach 4ft (1120mm) from one side to the middle of the growing medium. This would not be too excessive for an average person standing on a portable step (not shown) at the side of garden unit 1. This degree of reach would be required for only a relatively few tasks, such as sowing seeds or planting out. Most other jobs could be done with the added reach of garden tools. Thus, the garden unit would be quite suitable for use by elderly people in Care Homes and even people in wheelchairs could tend the plants near the edges, where the plants would be at / near face level, i.e. they could smell and pick the flowers without additional help. Where the units are used, say, as roof gardens, many minor routine tasks could be performed without the need for a complete change into working clothing.

In use, garden unit 1 would be provided with growing medium for use as a seed bed or for planting out. In one option, control unit 11 would provide automated care of the garden, i.e. the sensor, for example 32 (Fig, 8), would determine the dryness of the growing medium, advise controller 11, which would cause a pump 11 to draw water from tank 7 and pass it either into capillary matting 30, sub-irrigation system 29 or to nozzles 20 to spray directly onto the leaves. At predetermined intervals, nutrient 8 would be metered into water 7 and the spray option 20 may be preferred as plants respond more quickly to a foliar feed. In another option, the water and nutrient is provided by specialist drip irrigation (not shown) (as used on roof gardens) where capillary and gravitational processes deliver precisely monitored and uniform quantities directly to targeted plants. Having a fully automated garden unit 1 allows the gardener to miss a daily watering if he / she has another engagement but, via the remote second control means (not shown), is enabled to maintain a daily check. The gardener could also input instructions from the remote control means for controller 11 to implement.

Sensor 20 can conduct a wide range of measurements and inspections, e.g. looking at the plants in both ultraviolet and / or infrared as well as visible light as this can indicate potential problems, e.g. magnesium deficiency, before they might become apparent to the gardener. Where the garden is used exclusively by a restaurant, e.g. for providing fresh herbs, the use of sensor 20 will be able to provide produce in pristine condition and the chef will be able to obtain fresh herbs as each meal is being prepared. It may help allotment gardeners produce prize vegetables! Sensor 20 could also monitor unauthorised access to the garden unit, i.e. equivalent to a burglar alarm, with the alarm audible and / or visible on the controllers or at other appropriate points, e.g. in the restaurant kitchen.

Sensors 20, 32 could measure any /all of moisture, nutrient levels, humidity, pH, temperature (air and growing medium), air quality and pressure, wind speed and direction, light levels, direct rainfall, UV radiation and liquid levels in the tanks.

Referring to Figs. 2, decorative fencing or personnel safety barrier 17 is provided attached 10 to side panels 2 and / or end panels 3. A separate growing area 23 is provided at the left hand side, where corner posts 18 and cross members 19, 19A form a structure above area 23. Structure 18, 19 may support overhead sprays 20 or lights 20 and transparent side curtains and a roof cover (none shown), which would provide an enclosed area for propagating tender plants. For example, tomato plants could be grown up strings (not shown) hanging from members 19A. When not in use, members 18, 19 and 19A would be stored in locker 12 (Fig. 1).

Figs. 3 and 4 show three garden units 1 arranged vertically and separated by temporary struts 21 engaging with the ISO corner connections 9. Corner connections 9 would include lifting points at the top and stacking / support feet at the bottom. This configuration would be used to transport planted up units 1. Alternatively, the three units 1 could be used for flower or vegetable production with permanent struts 21. If required, lights (not shown) may be provided on the undersides of the upper two units 1. Though watering, etc. would be automated, movable steps (not shown) would be required for the initial planting and harvesting.

Fig. 5 shows fitting of a detachable access ramp 22 to a side 2 of garden unit 1. This would allow barrows to be used for filling container 13 with growing medium or handling heavy items such as paving flags 26 or ornamental fountains 25 (Fig. 7). The ramp could also be used to allow visitor access up and onto a planted unit for better viewing, e.g. wheelchair access.

Fig. 6 shows a garden unit 1 planted up as part of show feature, e.g. at a Flower Show or on a Roof Garden. Here a shrub or standard specimen 24, ornamental fountain 25, paving 26 and flowers 27 combine aesthetically. The unit 1 could be placed with others to produce a larger garden area (Figs. 11B, 12) or an extended backdrop to an assembly or meeting area or at either side of a walkway (Fig 11A).

Watering and feeding of plants is critical as both too little and too much can be fatal. Figs.7 and 8 show how sub-irrigation 29 and capillary matting 30 can be used either together or independently. In Fig. 8, sensors 32 monitor the moisture content of the growing medium. As garden units 1 will mostly be outdoors, natural rainfall must be accommodated. A drain(s) (not shown) will be provided at an edge or corner of base 13 and the levelling feet (not shown) will be adjusted so that filtered, excess water will be discharged, ideally to water tank 7. If this is full, there will be an overflow, ducted to a domestic drain or soakaway (not shown). It will be noted that in both Figs. 7 and 8, the pump 11A and control unit 11B are in compartment 28 in container 13 rather than underneath 14. This is a detail that might make access to these items more convenient. A water tank (not shown) could be located above the level of the growing medium to allow drip watering under gravity.

Figs. 9 and 10 show three units 1 stacked in a storage or transport mode. Figs. 11 and 12 show how units 1 may be used together, e.g. alongside a path (Fig. 11A), or as a larger area garden (Figs. 11B, 12).

The garden units 1 may be hired out as fully planted items for specific functions or hired out or sold for use by the purchaser for their own planting. Units 1 could form a franchising business. In both these cases, the ability to lift complete garden units onto / off lorries would be a key marketing feature.

The external sides 2 and ends 3 of the units (i.e. of areas 13 and 14) may be decorated with advertising or used to locate solar panels (not shown), with the power generated stored in batteries (not shown) and used for the pump and controller 11 as well as ancillary items, such as aesthetic lighting or advertising. Alternatively, troughs (not shown) could be hung on the upper edges of sides 2 and 4 and filled with plants to trail downwards. These troughs could be watered and fed from the unit's internal systems.

As taught, watering may be via capillary means and it is common for particularly specimens to have a dedicated capillary feed, e.g. into the soil adjacent to their roots. Capillaries draw water along their narrow bores providing the water pressure at their outlets is below that generated by the capillary. Thus, in some cases, an appropriately sized capillary can provide automatic watering. In other cases, valves or restrictions can be provided and control unit 11B will routinely interrogate the relevant sensor and provide the requisite water and / or feed. Thus, control 11B may be programmed to provide a fully automated system to manage the garden unit 1 for extended periods of time, coping both with routine and remedial requirements and with preprogramed disease control.

Figs. 9 and 10 show units 1 stacked in a store after manufacture. Units may be sold outright or hired out or leased. Where leased, a monitoring and maintenance service could 35 be supplied. In the case of, say, Roof Gardens, units 1 could be supplied ready-planted and changed as the seasons dictated. Here again, full portability would be essential.

The garden units of the invention provide a unique means of improving an environment and giving aged and infirm people valuable therapeutic experience. The skilled person will be aware of variations in the principle of the invention and its applications all falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A portable garden unit comprising:- 0 an open-toppped container having sides and a base, the sides extending upwards for a predetermined height, and also provided with handling means such as lifting points so that it may be carried between one location and another, ii) a growing medium located within the container; iii) tankage for holding water and / or nutrient; iv) means to transfer water and / or nutrient into or onto the growing medium; v) a sensor to monitor plants growing in / on the growing medium and detect when they require attention such as watering or treatment for predetermined conditions and able to provide an output when routine, remedial and / or corrective action needs to be taken; and vi) a control means adapted to respond to the sensor output and / or to other signals to determine when, what and how much tending the plants in the garden unit require, such as routine (e.g. watering), remedial (e.g. providing nutrient) and / or corrective (e.g. disease control) measure(s), and to cause the necessary action to be taken and to provide an alert when a particular predetermined condition is detected; characterised in that seeds may be sown and / or plants grown in the growing medium in the container and tended as appropriate and that the sensor monitors the condition of the 20 plants and external factors and provides an input to the control means to provide routine, remedial and / or corrective treatment when predetermined conditions are detected or an alert, as appropriate, and further characterised in that the garden unit can be carried from a first location to another location either before / after seeds or plants are therein.
2. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container has an open top and is sized to ISO standard dimensions and provided with the standard ISO corner, lifting and stacking members.
3. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the height of the sides of the 30 container is such that the total height of the apparatus is between 0.75 and 1.25m (30-50 inches).
4. A portable garden unit as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein wheels and height adjustable levelling feet or components are provided to move the garden unit and to 35 accommodate uneven ground in its final position.
5. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein additional items are provided including vertical members, such as fencing and / or safety barriers and / or means for plants to climb up or for the attachment of side curtains or horizontal covers and / or an external access ramp or steps.
6. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the growing medium includes soil, compost or a material suitable for hydroponic cultivation.
7. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tankage includes separate 10 tanks for water and a nutrient solution and optionally for any specific treatment a particular plant might require with each tank, having means to fill it, withdraw liquid from it and an overflow.
8. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the container is provided with 15 means to allow excess water in the growing medium to drain into the water tank.
9. A portable garden unit as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the water transfer means includes either pumping and / or capillary and / or gravity systems, piping, valves, means to withdraw water, nutrient and / or optional treatments from their tanks, meter them and / or mix them together and discharge them into / onto the growing medium via either / both capillary or spray means.
10. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensor monitors the plants both in and above the growing medium using appropriate senses e.g. 25 visual, chemical and / or audible means.
11. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sensor monitors all / any of moisture, nutrient levels, humidity, pH, temperature (air and growing medium), air quality and pressure, wind speed and direction, light levels, direct rainfall, UV radiation and unauthorised access to the garden unit.
12. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means is electronic in nature and adapted to respond to an output from the sensor and / or an internal clock and / or an external input and to control the operation of the tending means using predetermined algorithms programmed into its electronic memory and to record and log the sensor output, and / or time and / or external input and actions taken.
13. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control means (first control means) is linked to a second control means at a remote location via either a hard wire or wireless connection and the first control means is adapted to transfer logged data to the second control means so that the data is accessible from either control means and to accept inputs from the second control means and act on these inputs to tend the plants.
14. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the alert provided by the first control means is audible and / or visual and effective at both control means and, optionally, at another designated point(s).
15. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tankage, pumping and control means are located underneath the container and growing medium and the pumping and control means are accessible via an openable panel.
16. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pumping and control means are mounted on a means so that they may be withdrawn from under the container for maintenance and the pipe connections are provided by flexible piping.
17. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pumps, tankage and 20 control means are located in a compartment within or above the container
18. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a storage space is provided under the container.
19. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein connections are provided to access some / all of mains water, drainage, electricity and the second remote control means.
20. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein vertical spacing 30 members are provided so that containers may be stacked one on top of another but with a space between each adjacent pair either to transport planted units or so that plants may be grown at different levels.
21. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein special features are provided and include any / all of a fountain, water course, pool, paving, hanging basket(s) / trough(s) and light(s) / lighting effects and, where appropriate, are operable or tended by either / both control means.
22. A portable garden unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is constructed of panels of metal, treated wood or polymer material attached to a metal structure designed to accept the relevant lifting, stacking and working loads.
23. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure to which the separate panels are liftable provides the structural integrity for handling, lifting, transporting and stacking the garden units and gives further strength for the attachment of additional items and / or special features.
24. A portable garden unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein solar panels are provided on the external side(s) of the unit and the power generated stored in a battery and used to power the pump and the control means.