Dear everyone, I'm glad our First Lady is starting a produce and fruit garden. It sure will be nice for the First Family's girls to be able to watch their first garden to grow and then be able to put it on the evening table. If the President is good, maybe the girls will let dad have some vegtables or fruits from their little garden providing he doesn't eat too much. Well the main thing is that they are going to learn the reason why we grow a garden is it is fun, it takes time and you have to have patience for it to produce, then when it does it's wonderful to partake of what GOD has given you. Good Luck Everyone.
Sincerely,
BTTRFLYANGEL52

The author Alice Waters has the right idea with the "Edible Yard" concept. Encouraging schools to plant edible gardens by letting students create and maintain them is something that every school should consider.
BTY - The White House should definately be composting.

EVERYBODY should compost!

I think that it is a wonderful project for the First Lady, her children and the local kids to embark on. I have been reading on the web various posts from people who were hoping Mrs. Obama would do this. I have been doing some planning lately and seriously considered doing a kitchen garden. I believe I will now!! Hopefully, Mrs. Obama's example will encourage the rest of us to do the same in our yards although, it won't be quite as large as the White House lawn.

Much Sucess to The First Lady!!

Arugula is NOT elitist. It is Italian.
It is also peppery, tasty, healthy and yummy.

Ouch!! Sorry. I was just channeling the main stream media. I personally LOVE arugula. -- Susan

This is setting a great example of family values. It is a sign that a family with children is living in the white house again. From the size of this garden, Michelle must be planning on lots of help from other family members.

More people should plant gardens. There is always plenty of wildlife to see in a garden; from butterflies to dragonflies and hummingbirds. There is nothing better than fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach or chard. Leave some room for some cantaloupe and summer crook neck also. My family members have planted a garden every year since WWII. There is nothing more All-American than planting a Victory Garden.

This is setting a great example of family values. It is a sign that a family with children is living in the white house again. From the size of this garden, Michelle must be planning on lots of help from other family members.

More people should plant gardens. There is always plenty of wildlife to see in a garden; from butterflies to dragonflies and hummingbirds. There is nothing better than fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach or chard. Leave some room for some cantaloupe and summer crook neck also. My family members have planted a garden every year since WWII. There is nothing more All-American than planting a Victory Garden.

Approximately a third of the automobile pollution in this country is attributable to growing, preparing and transporting food to the kitchen table. It looks to me like if more people planted a garden and became a little more self-sufficient (the American Ideal), that this would be a great benefit to air our quality and save millions of barrels of oil each year. It is also very healthy to get exercise and sunshine while working in your garden and to eat the fresh fruits of your efforts. From the overweight appearance of many in America, we could all learn to live healthier lives.

I love this. Go,Michelle!

We are aware by now of Michele Obama’s vegetable and herb garden at the White House.
Kitchen gardens at the White House were last planted by Eleanor Roosevelt.
They were called Victory Gardens. Home vegetable gardens are now the rage.
Growing healthy veggies at home is easy, rewarding and helpful to the budget.
The Horticultural Society of Maryland is hosting two events on vegetable gardening.
Amateur or skilled there is plenty to learn from these experts to get you started.

Basic Vegetable Gardening
Sunday, April 5, 2009
2-4 p.m.
Mt. Washington Arboretum
Cost $10 - Reservations 410-821-5561
Now that you know the basics,

follow up with Jennifer R. Bartley’s lecture
"Designing the New Kitchen Garden”
April 14th 7:30 p.m.
Towson Unitarian Universalist Church
1710 Dulaney Valley Rd
Lutherville, MD. 21093
donation at the door $15 - no reservation needed

for more details visit the Horticultural Society of Maryland’s Web Site at
www.mdhorticulture.org or call 410-821-5561 e-mail: contact@mdhorticulture.org

It's great to see Michelle Obama following Eleanor Roosevelt's example. I've read predictions that many more folks will start backyard vegetable plots because of the recession. Unlike the Obamas with their expansive plot, however, most newcomers should be urged to start small so they don't get overwhelmed and quit halfway through July. We've had great success with raised beds in our small yard, and they're great for beginners because you can start with a 3 foot-by- 3 foot square the first year and add more in future years. Some arugula, spinach, and radishes in the spring can give way to a couple of tomato plants in cages, a couple of peppers and a couple of eggplants in the summer, with basil, dill, and coriander tucked into sunny gaps. I see Gardeners Supply has some recycled black plastic "lumber" and interlocking corners to build a 3x3 bed for $50 -- has anyone had any experience with that product?

Good to hear from you Molly! And yes, I used the Gardeners raised beds before I had to give up my veggie garden because of too much shade. It was easier on the back, too. And I agree. Unless you have a White House staff and an elementary school at your disposal, start small!!!

Susan: the URL listed is for the Murray Hill Row-by-Row Garden Project, which includes 21 families in an Annapolis neighborhood who are combining efforts to have one BIG garden made up of 21 small ones (and perhaps this way to have as much help as Michelle will get at the White House). Take a look - I don't know how it will turn out, but perhaps a story you'd like to follow. I'm slated for ten watermelon plants!

Are you going to have your own watermelon stand! That would be a hoot! To get to the Murray Hill site, just click on Jane's name.