The White House gets a bit more green

By Recycla

By now you have most likely heard about the new White House kitchen garden.  Last month, the Obamas, White House staff, the Secretary of Agriculture, and 5th graders from a local elementary school put in a 1,100 s.f. garden on the South Lawn.  (See photo at right.)  This will be the first kitchen garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden during World War II.

And, yes, it will be organic.

Even better, the White House has also installed two bee hives.  (Why is this important?  Click here to find out more.)  A White House carpenter who is also a beekeeper will maintain the hives.

The first plants put in the White House garden included lettuces, broccoli, various greens, onions, carrots, and peas.  Blueberry bushes and other fruits are part of the long-term plan, as well as a variety of herbs.

The Obamas hope their garden will inspire others to do a bit of gardening and that gardening will encourage Americans to eat more veggies and less junk, which will lead to a healthier citizenry.

Some of the garden’s harvest will end up on White House plates, while some will be donated to a local food bank.

On a related note, Maria Shriver, wife of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, wants to put a vegetable garden on the grounds of the state capitol building.  Hopefully, other governors will jump on board and plant gardens too.

If the Eco Women had not already inspired you to do a little gardening yourself, then they hope the President of the United States will can.  For more information on how to get started, click here and here.

Tell the Eco Women:  Will you be doing any gardening this year, whether it’s growing herbs in your windowsill or joining the Obamas and tilling up part of your backyard?