Third-graders from Walter Hays Elementary School, Palo Alto - along with their teachers and parents - presented a hand made scarecrow named Herb this month to the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden in appreciation for the Roots and Shoots Program and the volunteers who make it possible.

Established in 1985, Roots and Shoots is an intergenerational educational gardening program that connects children with senior citizen mentors. During the school year, Hays third-graders are teamed with seniors who help the children learn to plant, nurture and harvest a garden full of edibles and colorful flowers. The seniors and children grow their own snacks and generate produce for donation to local food banks.

Margot, a third-grader, expressed her gratitude to mentor Kacy McClure. “The first time I went to Roots and Shoots, I was a seed,” she said. “Now I’m a flower - thanks to you.”

Herb the scarecrow has a prominent place to guard his new home, the Gamble vegetable

garden.

Offshoots of Roots and Shoots include Getting Going Growing, a non-profit community collaborative dedicated to supporting school gardens; and Camp Green Thumbs, an eight-week summer gardening camp for children grades K-5.

The Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden is a non-profit community horticulture foundation at 1431 Waverly St. at Embarcadero in Palo Alto. The 2.5-acre property includes a historic home, carriage house, tea house and formal demonstration gardens. The gardens are open daily during daylight, and admission is free.