by Rebecca Cole
The White House South Lawn was set for a picnic this morning.
And although baskets of apples and carafes of cider held down the checkered blue-and-white tablecloths flapping in the breeze, the rest of the fixins' would have to wait until the spring harvest.
That's when the new White House vegetable garden will begin to produce its first bounty of herbs, vegetables and fruits.
This morning, First Lady Michelle Obama and 25 children from Washington, D.C.'s Bancroft Elementary made a first start at the garden, taking shovels, rakes and pitchforks and to the 1,100 square-foot plot.
As Obama queried the kids on their knowledge of "the three sisters" - which they told her were corn, squash and beans - it was apparent most of them knew more about fruits and vegetables than a lot of American kids.
"Are we having three sisters?" Obama asked assistant White House chef Sam Kass. Just two it turns out - no corn will grow "knee high by the 4th of July" here.
But several types of berries and plenty of leafy green lettuces like spinach - and yes, arugula - will be planted, along with snap peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers and tomatillos. Even a beehive will be in residence so the White House can make its own honey.
"I'm glad you're excited," Obama told the kids, "my kids aren't very excited about the beehive."
According to Kass, the Obamas' former personal chef in Hyde Park, the garden will be planted to supply four-season yields.
That means the Barcroft Elementary children might soon be very busy. Not only were they part of today's initial digging crew, but they will return in a few weeks to really get their hands dirty planting seeds.
Once the first harvest arrives, the kids will join Kass in the White House kitchen to prepare and taste meals prepared from the bounty.
"The whole point of this garden, for us is that I want to make sure that our family as well as the staff and all the people who come to the White House and eat our food will get access to really fresh vegetables and fruits," Obama said.
Not only will the produce help feed the Obamas and their guests, but donations will also be made to Miriam's Kitchen, a local soup kitchen near the White House that Obama visited recently.
Her own daughters, Obama said, were more willing to give certain vegetables a try when they were involved with the planting and picking.
"I've been able to have my kids eat so many different things that they would never have touched if we had bought it at a store," Obama said.
At one point, Obama asked, "Are we done yet?" and admonished reporters taking pictures to put down the cameras and grab a shovel. "We're going to do a reporters' day. You're going to come out there and help us finish this."
Comments
Thank You First Lady for the inspiring image with the children and breaking ground for a garden. This took me back some years to the first time my children had projects to study the parts of a plant, starting with a bean; some moss and a clear plactic cup :)
Posted by: JazLive | March 21, 2009 3:00 AM
History of the three sisters, corn squash and beans:
Corn: Scientists believe people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7000 years ago...From Mexico maize spread north into the Southwestern United States and south down the coast to Peru. About 1000 years ago, as Indian people migrated north to the eastern woodlands of present day North America, they brought corn with them.
Squash: Squash is native to North and South America.
What we know as 'winter squash' probably originated in northern Argentina near the Andes. When the conquistadores found this vegetable there it was still unknown in Central or North America. Pumpkins are native to Mexico and Central America. They were staples in the diet along with maize and beans. The seeds and flowers of the plant were important parts of the plant. The seeds were roasted and the flowers were eaten raw or fried.
Beans:
Of the genus Phaseolus sensu stricto, which includes 55 species, five have been domesticated. The pre-Columbian peoples grew them for thousands of years as a main source of protein, since animals did not have an important role as a source of food or draught power, particularly in Mesoamerica.
As early as the pre-Columbian period, the kidney bean (P. vulgaris L.) had gained wider acceptance and was selected more intensively. The early chroniclers inform us that, in the Aztec and Incan empires, great importance was given to this species and it was used to pay tributes.
http://www.campsilos.org/mod3/students/c_history.shtml
http://www.essortment.com/all/squashhistoryi_rvbp.htm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/1492/beans.html
Posted by: Susan | March 23, 2009 4:31 PM
There is no way that the South lawn of the White House could produce a truly organic garden in just one season. It takes years to rid soil of the pesticides and other chemicals used in lawn care. I doubt that the lawns surrounding the White House are exempt from such conditions. While I am in endless favor of growing our own food, I am concerned at the Obamas' and the public's lack of consideration for this matter.
Posted by: Isis&Mike | March 24, 2009 9:40 PM
Want to learn to grow your own organic vegetable garden, exactly like the one Michelle is planting at the White House? Find out more here: http://www.mywhitehousegarden.com
Posted by: pennyclaire | May 4, 2009 3:11 PM
Wile I think it is wonderful that Mrs. Obama dishes out personally to the homeless, does wear bullet proof clothing? Having been homeless a fe times myself, (HUD Apt. Mgrs. tend to kick you out in the street when you can't pay the elec. bill, much less the communist imposed Federal tax added to it to pay for disasters and cover crooked politicians gambling debts and to pay for their illigitimate herds), surely would hate to lose the First Lady!
..Are there any updates on the contaminated soil from the Clinton era dumping toxic waste? Didn't she want raised beds to begin ith?
..Alas, our Mayor does not ant a place for homeless here, said "We wouldn' know what we'd be getting in here." However, he doesn't mind crazy people since he is getting tons of funding to house them and drive those of us crazy because they can wander the streets and you can't touch Mental patients because "they aren't responsible for themselves" when they rob and rape and kill! Please be more careful Mrs. President, we like you the best so far!
..SusanDianeMurphree..Marianna,Arkansas (August 2 , 2009)
Posted by: SusanDianeMurphree | August 2, 2009 9:05 PM