White House to Receive Newly Planted Vegetable Garden

By Adam Eisman, GREENandSAVE.com
Posted on Sunday 22nd March 2009
Americans are not the healthiest eaters, by far.  We actually account for more obese citizens than any other nation in the world, but who could blame us?  As the decades have rolled on, advertisers have become more savvy and persuasive, offering products that tempt us with jazzy graphics and fun prizes.  The Fast Food industry has done very well over the years, but has directly contributed to massive waves of young Americans, and minorities in specific, who turn to the cheap “Dollar Menu” items for sustenance.  It’s cheaper, and it really does taste good; heaping servings of salt will do that.

But there are better options out there, and they are moving to the fore of our national dialogue.  Many Americans know that eating properly is of the utmost importance, but don’t have the time or income to constantly plan on cooking that sensible meal for the family.  Obligations at work or school are stressing enough, but when coupled with trips to the doctor’s office or the various playing fields, a quick, cheap meal is often the most effortless option.  However, if you follow the example of the Obamas, you might just find that dinner is a little easier, and a lot healthier. 

I do not mean for you to run for President, though I wouldn’t discourage it.  The Obamas have set in motion the plan to install a vegetable garden on the South Lawn of the White House in the very near future.  Mrs. Obama will be in charge of the operation, which will enlist the help of twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington.  They will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot, in an area of the lawn that is visible from E Street.   The Bancroft School has had a garden of this nature since 2001, so the students will also be able to help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.

The new garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables that are to be grown started at the executive mansion’s greenhouses.  The plots will also be in raised beds with a peculiar mix for fertilizer.  The fertilizer will include White House Compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, some lime and green sand.  It will also contain ladybugs and praying mantises to patrol the area for harmful bugs.
The focus of the garden will be to promote the idea of local, organic, and natural foods.  Obesity is a major problem in the world, and especially in the United States, so the Obamas have taken an active role in advocating personal gardens.  Not only will they make their harvesters healthier and more in touch with the earth, but it will cut down on the amount of fuels necessary to move products grown on large scale farms to market.

Organic, and home grown foods have the possibility to  solve many problems at once, ranging from obesity to fuel consumption, to the very important, “What’s for Dinner?”  Think about investing in your own personal garden.  Your kids may even want to try some of the things you plant if they feel that they have ownership of the process.

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For information on how to stay organic and make your life more GREEN, take a look at the Green Lifestyle section.  Or, for an idea on how much a vegetable garden will cost you in the long run, take a look at GREENandSAVE.com for Green Home Remodeling Projects.

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