Gardens Grow Up(ward) for Growing-Up Kids

The newest thing to hit the walls across America’s schools is modular, made of 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, and requires just two screws to assemble.

Woolly Pockets, created by vertical-garden expert Miguel Nelson, are eco-friendly works of garden engineering that “pocket” plants – everything from succulents to houseplants to fruits (even watermelons) – to hang off a wall or sit in a freestanding container. The simple system can work indoors or out and takes all of five minutes to install. Wally, the wall-hanging device, makes vertical gardening a cinch, as well as conserves water – a built-in moisture barrier maintains a small reservoir for roots.

Recently, the company started working with schools across the country through the Woolly School Garden Program (they’ve already placed more than 200 edible gardens), to provide tools and education about sustainable, local, organic gardening. The program connects kids with local farmers so that youngsters can learn about planting native species and using waste to make compost. Some schools have even started selling their produce at local farmers’ markets.

Woolly is looking to bequeath another 250 school gardens. Through June, you can vote for Woolly Pockets to win a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. You can also send a special tweet and Woolly will donate $1 toward a growing garden at a school.

--Sarah McClure