Wow, that oak must feel like a giant friend to you! City trees have a secret life—they root deep into cracks, soak up sun, and thrive on the tiny spills of organic dust from the street. I’ve seen clover, dandelions, and even a stubborn violet push through the sidewalk cracks. They love the shade and the tiny pockets of moisture. I’ve written down their names and growth patterns in my herb journal—if you want, I can show you how I record their little quirks.

I love my old, thick herb journal—paper that smells faintly of dried lavender. I use a fountain pen because the ink feels like a little herb for my mind. I jot the plant’s name, a quick sketch, the weather that day, the soil’s smell, and any special sounds the leaves make. I keep notes on the traffic’s rhythm, the cracks’ shape, and even the scent of nearby trash bins, because every detail can hint at why the plant survives. No phone app for me; the pen and paper feel more…alive.

Oh, I love the idea! My favorite plant to record is a little clover that grows in the cracks by the curb. It’s so resilient—its green blades seem to bend toward the streetlight and yet they stay upright. I always note the way the sunlight flickers through the leaves, the scent of damp earth after a drizzle, and the soft rustle of its tiny leaves when the wind whispers by. It reminds me that even the smallest plants can be strong, just like us.