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Second graders in Woodside Elementary School’s garden plucked edible flowers and grasses, munching on them as they collected salamanders, slugs, beetles and ants. Even at this young age, the students are becoming well-versed in native plants, gardening and wildlife.
In recognition of April as Native Plant Month, Woodside students and community members have been working hard to promote the practice of gardening and native plant appreciation. In preparation for an upcoming plant sale with the Woodside Atherton Garden Club, Woodside Elementary’s second graders participated in a native plant painting contest and grew California poppies in their school garden.
As far back as the 1970s, the Woodside Atherton Garden Club has hosted a biannual plant sale. On Saturday, May 9, the garden club will be selling native plants, including the student-grown California poppies, along with vegetables, roses, grasses and more, at the Woodside Library’s native plant garden, where the second grade class’s paintings will be on display. The painting contest, led by Woodside teacher Brian Myrtetus will award three students with a milkshake from Buck’s Restaurant down the road.
In 2023, California officially designated April as Native Plant Month to promote their conservation and restoration. Members of the Woodside Atherton Garden Club said the group was “instrumental in advocating” for this resolution to pass.
“Creating awareness around native plants is important because not only are they water-wise, but they support the local pollinators, birds and animals,” said Chris Kitch, a member of the club. Native plants are also naturally pest resistant and require less water to maintain, she said.
Second graders’ garden project
Myrtetus, who has been teaching in Woodside for two decades, has been actively involved in maintaining the school’s garden for years. Every Friday, he takes his classes out to the garden to teach them about planting and harvesting.
Kitch suggested that Myrtetus hold a poster contest to highlight Native Plant Month and encourage his students to get involved in the plant sale. Their paintings depict redwood and oak trees, native flowers and insects.
Woodside’s second grade class shows great enthusiasm for trying new things and getting their hands dirty in the garden. With planters growing an abundance of peas, lettuce, chard, lemons and kale, the students don’t hesitate to try new vegetables.
“Kids just love getting their hands in dirt and just anytime away from a book or the classroom, something that’s hands on,” Myrtetus said. “Lots of times, they don’t even know that they’re learning. They’re discovering insects, they see seeds sprouting and they’re just excited to take it all in.”
On one recent Friday afternoon, Myrtetus prepared a salad from vegetables harvested from the garden. When he called the students to line up, they skidded toward him, kicking up a cloud of dirt. On the menu was a garden salad with cucumbers and tomatoes dressed in olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. The vegetables were quickly devoured.
Second grade students socialize with one another while eating a salad with greens that were picked from the school garden at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside on April 17, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan. 
Teacher Brian Myrtetus and his student help prepare salads for a second grade class in the school garden at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside on April 17, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan. 
Teacher Brian Myrtetus shows reporters the artwork his students created at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside on April 17, 2026. Photo by Michael Molcsan.
“It’s fresh, it’s from the garden,” said Myrtetus to the students. “You grow this lettuce.”
He told The Almanac that he enjoys seeing his students excited to try new things and see how the independence they gain from being able to explore and care for the garden allows them to have the confidence to try unfamiliar foods.
“They don’t realize they’re eating healthy,” he said.
That afternoon, he also introduced the children to chive and cilantro flowers and peas. He had the students repeat after him: “Give peas a chance.”
Community members can spot the Woodside Elementary-grown poppies and artwork at the Woodside Atherton Garden Club plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 9 at the Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road. The event will also feature a free children’s activity to make a Mother’s Day floral project and a boutique selling flower arrangements, gardening books and gift baskets.
