Sidewalk Gardening

  When a child was so excited a grey marker was out so she could draw a sidewalk, I knew it was time to introduce tiny gardens. This is a picture of her family and flowers growing out of the sidewalk.

Materials

Markers

Paper

Seeds (Alfalfa, chamomile, dandelion, and grass can make good choices.)

Sidewalk

Tiny Models or Toys

Water

methods

When you and the children are ready, plant seeds in the sidewalk. Care for them like other plants and feel free to turn them into little scenes.
Plants in cracks, even if they are weeds, help retain water in the soil to prevent runoff, provide oxygen for animal life, and help contain pollutants.

Pinches of seeds being spread in a crack.

Notes

A beautiful book for children, The Curious Garden by Peter Brown:

A blog for inspiration, The Pothole Gardener:

Lesson plan by Heather Taylor, teachoutside@gmail.com. You are welcome to share all materials with credit to her.