I LOVE these things: Woolly Pockets. So simple, yet so awesome, these wall-hanging planters allow you to grow things just about anywhere. From the Wally One to the Wally Five*, each wall hanging planter has breathable “pockets” that let the soil breathe. That let the roots aerate. That let your plants thrive. But the backs are 100% waterproof (and made from recycled plastic) so you can hang them on anything: your inside walls, fences, outdoor walls, whatever.

But what’s even better: Miguel Nelson and his team have decided to take it upon themselves to use this cool innovation to educate kids about plants and growing food. They started Woolly School Gardens, a program to use Woolly Pockets to get them into schools. What a brilliant idea: think about it, even the most urban school has a WALL available to hang plants. It requires little space, little time to set up (just bolt them to a wall or fasten them to a chain link fence) and offers so much in return: the opportunity to learn where food comes from and the opportunity to become more connected to it.

I think it’s genius: this is exactly the kind of business model anyone should aspire to. Bringing good to the planet, and to the kids, but upping the aesthetic at the same time. Art + environment + kids = winning formula.

If you know a school that wants to participate, or if you want to donate to this program, go to WoollySchoolGarden.org.

If you want some pockets for yourself (and I don’t blame you one bit – I’m going to fill my house with these things once I have some time…they make other sweet soft planters as well), I recommend VelocityArtAndDesign.com (link gives you free shipping on orders over $50…see disclaimer below).

Happy (belated) Earth Day.

* Disclaimer: these are affiliate links to the Velocity Art and Design store (a great store with a really nice proprietor) to maybe get a little back for my efforts @authentacity.com…Woolly Pockets official site is at woollypocket.com.