Tuesday, March 24, 2009

michelle's garden

“A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you’ll ever eat,” Michelle Obama said. “And my children know the difference, and that’s how I’ve been able to get them to try different things.

“I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House?”


last week, michelle obama and 26 fifth graders dug up part of the south lawn in preparation for an 1,100 square foot vegetable garden. organic and seasonal vegetables will feed the first family and white house guests, but there won't be any beets since the president doesn't like them. instead romaine, spinach, collards, sugar snap peas, broccoli, fennel, radishes, rhubarb, onions and shallots will be planted in the garden. herbs will include mint, chamomile, sage, thyme, garlic chives, cilantro and parsley.

on the day of the big dig, michelle told the photographers to "quit taking pictures and pick up a shovel." i love her! :o)

the 5th graders will come back in two weeks to help plant the herbs and vegetables. they'll return later to help the white house chefs prepare the fruits of their labor. lucky kids... do you think these kids will go home and encourage their families to grow their own produce? and do you think their parents will actually do it?

of course, i have to mention alice waters. apparently, she was thrilled to hear the news after everything she's done to advocate for a white house garden.

seasonal, local and organic produce tastes so much better than the stuff you can find in the supermarket. i remember my nana's tomatoes from her backyard garden. all summer, i would slice tomatoes and eat them plain...like a piece of fruit.

i don't have a backyard so unfortunately, i don't have anywhere to plant a garden. but i'm going to start growing vegetables on my balcony with self-watering containers. more on that later...

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