Single fastener plant support ring for use with a T-shaped or U-shaped upright post

A plant support device (10) for use with an upright post, having at least two spaced edges, said device comprising:

• (a) at least one ring member (12), which defines an essentially vertical brace member (18), said brace member (18) having a protruding end (25) and a post end (23);
• (b) an essentially horizontal brim (14) extending from said post end (23) of said brace (18), said brim (18) including an aperture (30), having a ring edge (236), a pair of first rear edges (238R, 238L), a pair of second rear edges (240R, 240L), and at least one pair of side edges (237R, 237L), through which said post can protrude thereby allowing said post to be encircled by said plant support device;
• (c) at least one pair of semi-rigid brackets (250R, 250L) projecting from the ring edge (236) of said aperture (230) into said aperture (230), said brackets (250R, 250L) being positioned so as to align the upright post within the aperture;
• (d) at least one pair of vertical stops (254R, 254L) projecting from the pair of first rear edges (238R, 238L) into said aperture (230), said stops (254R, 254L) terminating in a thumb-like projection directed toward the ring edge, and positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post;
• and
• (e) at least one pair of essentially vertical rear walls (258R, 258L) extending downwardly from the pair of second rear edges (240R, 240L) so as to be essentially parallel with said brace (18), said rear walls preventing said support device from pivoting relative to said post.

A method of supporting a plant with an upright post which is securely mounted in ground comprising:

• (a) encircling said plant within a ring member, which defines an essentially vertical brace member, said brace member having a protruding end and a post end;
• (b) securing said ring member to an essentially horizontal and elongated brim extending from said post end of said brace, said brim including at least one aperture, having a ring edge, a pair of side edges, and a rear edge, through which an upright post can protrude, said brim further including at least one pair of semi-rigid brackets projecting from the ring edge of said aperture into said aperture, said brackets being positioned so as to positively engage the spaced edges of said post, and at least one pair of essentially vertical rear walls extending downwardly from the rear edge of said aperture so as to be essentially parallel with said brace;
• and
• (c) passing said brim over said upright post such that the post projects through said aperture, and such that said brackets positively engage the spaced edges of said post, and such that the brim is prevented from pivoting relative to said post.