Inhabitat

Michelle Obama To Plant White House Edible Garden

Eleanor Roosevelt’s World War II-era Victory Garden was a shining example to Americans that they could grow their own food. And now Michelle Obama is following in her footsteps, taking up the cause by planting an 1,100 square foot edible garden on the South Lawn of the White House. Her hope is to educate children about locally grown food, inspiring them to eat healthier and encourage their families and community to follow suit.

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Petitions for an organic garden at the White House have been circulating for some time now. The new edible garden will have over 55 varieties of fruits and vegetables, as chosen by the White House Kitchen Staff. According to assistant head chef, Sam Kass, the cost of the organic seeds and mulch was only $200. They will plant tomatoes, tomatillos, cilantro, various lettuces, spinach, swiss chard, collards, kale, arugula, berries, herbs, including anise hyssop and Thai basil (there will not be any beets though as President Obama does not like them). Also present will be two hives for honey and a compost pile.

First lady Obama, along with 23 fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School, will begin the garden by digging up the soil, then planting and eventually harvesting the vegetables. The White House Kitchen Staff is looking forward to planning their meals around the vegetables that are in season. Food grown in the garden will be used as ingredients for family meals as well as state dinners and other official events.

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Michelle and White House Kitchen Staff

We are excited to see the First Family engaging in such a sustainable activity and being such a good example that local and organic food is possible. Michelle wanted to emphasize that organic and local food doesn’t necessarily have to come for your own personal garden, as many people don’t have the space. For those that have limited space, container gardening on a deck, balcony or a wall is a great way to produce some of your own food. And for those who have no space at all, buying local and organic is becoming easier and easier as more local markets spring up and expand around the country.

Via The New York Times and Treehugger

8 Responses to “Michelle Obama To Plant White House Edible Garden”

hyperlocavore Says:

March 24th, 2009 at 4:06 am

For folks that don’t have the space, time, skills or strength to do a DIY veggie/fruit garden, think about starting a yardsharing group with your friends, family or neighbors at hyperlocavore.com. It’s free!

alligatorlegs Says:

March 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am

I’m a fourteen-year vegetarian and think it’s great that Michelle is taking sustainable eating on. However, during Women’s History Month, I’d rather see her outside of the garden, and the kitchen. Just my two cents.

WussTimmy Says:

March 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am

Michelle and staff should go about reading H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, which in effect could make the average persons home garden illegal. I would just hate for Michelle to be excited about something of value on the American people while her husband helps legislate against it.

politiker Says:

March 25th, 2009 at 11:33 am

WussTimmy,

I just read through H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, and there is nothing regulating private gardens that produce food so long as you are not selling what you produce. The act is monitoring the food for pathogens and contamination. The act is also stream lining the regulatory agencies to make the government work more efficiently.

Show me a where in this bill that a private citizen’s food production is required to be examined by government regulators, and therefore de facto illegal. Something tells me that you cannot.

kathleen Says:

March 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

Are tomatoes going to be planted?
That is sad the garden won’t have any beets planted…they
are wonderful and I enjoy cooking them many different ways.

Terry Says:

March 27th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

I live in a housing project in Toronto Canada. In the back of your 6th story building, there was a space where a playground use to be. Unfortunately, the tenants mistaken the playground for a dog run and allowed their dogs to play and leave brown lumps for the children to play in . After a while, no children played in the playground and it continued to be a dog run until a couple of years ago when it was made into a community garden. Of course it was all cleaned up and a large pile of new dirt was put in the place where the play ground equipment once stood. The garden has been a success and the tenants of the community got fresh fruit every summer. The garden not only gave us fresh vegetables , but it gave our community a much needed face lift. Our community is not looked at differently by passersbyers. At one time, we were looked at as a housing project full of drug attics and people on government assistance. Once the garden was put in, all kinds of people were taking pictures of the garden and talking to me and my boyfriend as we do the bulk of the work. The garden has been a blessing in more ways then one.

Terry

Sarah R. Says:

June 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

I’m excited about promoting simple ways for people to eat healthier, save money, and create sustainable sources of organic produce. As this idea begins to catch on, it’s important for people to be aware of tools for the storage of fresh produce after it’s harvested. Without preservatives, fresh produce can spoil before you have time to eat it! Freshvac vacuum food storage has multiple lines of vacuum-sealing containers that store foods up to 4 times longer than average airtight-only containers. This is all done without chemicals, baggies, pumps–no elextricity! It’s easy to work for this company because I use it in my home and swear by it! I just thought I’d share this tip with anyone thinking of planting their own sustainable garden. Storing the fresh produce as long as possible, is the next important step.

-Sarah

haapbaig Says:

June 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pm

When the First lady decided to have a garden on the White House grounds, I was excited about the idea.I like to work there taking care of the garden and teach everyone who visit there about gardening.How I can apply and join first lady’s team. I have Ph.D in horticulture,. Currently, I am teacher in Des Moines, Iowa high school and has been teaching there for past 30 years. Gardening has been my hooby since I was 9 years old.
I would appreciate if you could help me. Thank you.

Sicerely yours
Hamed M. Baig

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