6 Tips for Creating an ABC Garden

Are you creating goals for your Outdoor Classroom? Have you ever created a S.M.A.R.T. Goal? Have you ever considered using these types of goals for your Outdoor Classroom design plan?

The key to reaching any type of goal is to take action. Come join us every Friday at 10:00 am (EST) for Facebook LIVE where I am choosing a card from the Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck and setting a S.M.A.R.T. Goal for the week. Watch as my own backyard is transformed into an Outdoor Classrooms Learning Lab.

So what are S.M.A.R.T. goals anyway? S.M.A.R.T. Goals are a great way to VERIFY if your goals are smart and achievable. 

S= Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish in your Outdoor Classroom?

M= Measurable: How will you know when you have reached this goal?

A= Achievable: Is achieving this goal realistic with your outdoor space? Do you have the resources to achieve this goal?

R= Relevant: Why is this goal significant to your Outdoor Classroom?

T= Timely: When will you achieve this goal?

On Friday Facebook LIVE, I pulled the ABC Garden card which has a photo of the ABC Garden at the SHED Program, in Andover, MA.  Come see how I used this card to create a S.M.A.R.T. Goal for the week! Check it out HERE.

What inspires you about this picture?  I especially love how the letters look like they are floating. They pique my curiosity. 

My S.M.A.R.T Goal journey began with my card in hand as I went on my quest to pull all the elements together for my very own ABC Garden.  

Step 1: PURCHASE BIG WHITE LETTERS:  I set out to purchase my white letters. This was the easy part. Any art store would have this. I went to Michaels. They have all different kinds to choose from. I chose these LETTERS. 

Step 2: PURCHASE STEEL DOWELS: In the photo, the letters look like they are floating amongst the bushes. With a little trial and error, I finally found the right materials to capture this effect.

• Round Bar/ Plain Steel
• 3/16 inch x 48 inch
• Take a Peek

Tip: It was really helpful to have the picture from the card deck with me to show the attendant at Home Depot.