Self-watering plant holder

Abstract

A self-watering plant holder having a central, upright post with four horizontal radial arms extending outwardly thereof. A plant container, such as a bucket with a handle, is mounted on each radial arm. A base extends radially outwardly in a preferred embodiment from the lower end of the post to support the post. A manifold is mounted to the post, and houses a chamber with a closure for the addition of water and/or fertilizer. Watering lines extend from the manifold into one or more of the plant containers for watering and/or feeding the plants.

1 . A plant holder comprising: 
 (a) an upright post having an upper end and a lower end;    (b) first and second arms extending radially from the post;    (c) first and second plant containers connected to the first and second radially extending arms, respectively, the plant containers containing plants;    (d) a manifold mounted to the post, the manifold having a housing defining a chamber for containing water; and    (e) at least one watering line having a sidewall defining an internal passage, said watering line being mounted at a first end to the manifold with the watering line's internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and said watering line having a nozzle at a second end near a respective plant container.    
     
     
         2 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manifold chamber has a closure adapted to permit matter to be placed in the chamber for mixing with water in the chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising a water source in fluid communication with the chamber for conveying water into the chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising a timer interposed between the manifold and the water source, the timer having a valve for connecting and disconnecting the source of water from the manifold's chamber at predetermined times.  
     
     
         5 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of watering lines, each watering line having a sidewall defining an internal passage, each of said watering lines being mounted at a first end to the manifold with the watering line's internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and each of said watering lines having a nozzle at a second end near a respective plant container.  
     
     
         6 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the watering lines extend from the manifold into the plant containers.  
     
     
         7 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the watering lines have misting nozzles positioned near a respective plant container for spraying water in a mist onto the plant.  
     
     
         8 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising at least one variable orifice valve interposed between the manifold and the watering lines.  
     
     
         9 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manifold removably mounts to the post.  
     
     
         10 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is integral with the post.  
     
     
         11 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the post is mounted at its lower end in the Earth.  
     
     
         12 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a base mounted to the post's lower end, the base extending radially outwardly from the post for supporting the post.  
     
     
         13 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the base includes a plurality of base members extending radially outwardly from the post.  
     
     
         14 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising at least one adapter resting upon at least one of the base members for receiving a plant container and supporting the container on the base member.  
     
     
         15 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising third and fourth arms extending radially from the post.  
     
     
         16 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a third plant container positioned beneath the first plant container, for receiving water that falls from the first plant container.  
     
     
         17 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a planar pan near the lower end of the post, the pan having a floor extending radially outwardly from the post to upright sidewalls defining a reservoir containing soil and at least one plant.  
     
     
         18 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising shading material mounted above at least one of the radial arms.  
     
     
         19 . A plant holder comprising: 
 (a) an upright post having an upper end and a lower end;    (b) first and second arms extending radially from the post;    (c) first and second plant containers connected to the first and second arms, respectively, the plant containers containing plants;    (d) a manifold mounted to the post, the manifold having a housing defining a chamber formed therein for containing water, and a closure formed in the housing, said closure being adapted to permit matter to be placed in the chamber;    (e) a plurality of watering lines, each line having a sidewall defining an internal passage, each of said watering lines being mounted to the manifold with its internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and each of said watering lines having a nozzle near a respective plant container;    (f) a water source adapter in fluid communication with the chamber for connecting a water source conduit to the manifold;    (g) a base mounted to the post's lower end, the base extending radially outwardly from the post for supporting the post; and    (h) a third plant container positioned beneath the first plant container, for receiving water that falls from the first plant container.    
     
     
         20 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein at least some of said watering lines extend from the manifold into the plant containers for watering the plants.  
     
     
         21 . The plant holder in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising third and fourth arms extending radially from the post.  
     
     
         22 . A plant holder comprising: 
 (a) an upright post having an upper end and a lower end;    (b) first and second arms extending radially from the post for connecting first and second plant containers containing plants to the first and second arms, respectively;    (c) a manifold mounted to the post, the manifold having a housing defining a chamber formed therein for containing water;    (d) a plurality of watering lines, each line having a sidewall defining an internal passage, each of said watering lines being mounted to the manifold with its internal passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and each of said watering lines having a nozzle near a respective one of the arms.