A multi-stage, plant growing system is configured for high density growth and crop yields and includes among other things, towers or vertical growth columns, an enclosed controlled environmental growth chamber, interchangeable growth modules, and control systems capable of machine learning wherein the crops are optimally spaced and continually staged in their planting cycles utilizing special growth modules to provide an accelerated and continuous annual production yield. A vertical growth tower for vertical farming comprising a plurality of growth modules, each growth module comprising an enclosure configured to securely hold at least one plant; a drain aperture in the enclosure; and at least one lateral growth opening in the enclosure configured to permit and to encourage lateral growth of the at least one plant away from the enclosure; wherein one or more of the growth modules is configured to stackably support one or more of the other growth modules above and/or below itself within the vertical growth tower.

A computer implemented system for a vertical farming system comprising at least a first crop growth module and operating in an environmentally-controlled growing chamber, the control system comprising sensors for measuring environmental growing conditions in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber over time to generate environmental condition data, a device configured for measuring a crop characteristic of a crop grown in the crop growth module of the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to generate crop growth data and a processing device comprising software modules for receiving the environmental condition data and the crop growth data; applying an algorithm to the environmental condition data and the crop growth data to generate an improved environmental growing condition and generating instructions for adjustment of the environmental growing conditions in or around the growth module in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to the improved environmental growing condition.

A deflector assembly for obstructing flow of liquid to an adjacent location for a receptacle such as a tray for growing plants in a vertical farming system. The deflector assembly includes a support member and a biasing assembly. A baffle is also provided that Is moveable relative to the support member. The baffle Is responsive to the biasing assembly and the biasing assembly Is responsive to positioning of the tray at the adjacent location, the biasing assembly is arranged to bring the baffle to a position for obstructing the flow of liquid upon removal of the tray from the location so that the liquid, for example plant growth nutrient, is not wasted and does not cause a mess. Placement of the tray at the location adjacent the deflector assembly causes the biasing assembly to be overcome thereby displacing the baffle from the obstructing position to allow passage of the liquid to the tray.

The present invention relates to a crate (1) for forming a vertical farming stack, comprising a bottom wall (2); a number of side walls (16,17,18,19), extending essentially perpendicular from the bottom wall (2), and defining a holding space for a plant, fruit or other organic matter; wherein the crate (1) is arranged to be directly stackable with a similar or like crate (1); and the bottom wall (2) comprises at least one farming climate control unit (13) holding space. The invention further relates to a control unit (13) for use with a crate (1), comprising a control unit body, a processor (13a), lighting means (13b) and connecting means for an electric power source. The invention further relates to a method for growing plants.