In the NY Times it says: “On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn’t like them) but arugula will make the cut.”

“Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It’s just below the Obama girls’ swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.”

Thank goodness for the veggie gardeners of the world. What could be a better symbol of down-to-earth common sense than growing a productive vegetable garden?

You can read the whole article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/dining/19garden-web.html?em=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1237543620-Nya0evff523hzAB+rM/Fzw

Thanks. M. Jackson

One reason I worried about things getting political is because people tend to get emotional about it and sometimes get “carried away.”

I’ve noticed that, overall, people who post on gardening sites tend to write more intelligently and seem more courteous than other types of blogs, which is one of the things I enjoy about it.

Obviously, we all have our own views on politics and on what a garden should be. Although George’s column was an interesting and timely vehicle for the discussion of gardening ideas (which I did enjoy)it, for some, seems to be a slippery slope leading to political bashing and “reading things in” that were not there. I don’t think George was trying to take sides politically.

Thanks for your very thoughtful and passionate post. You raise many excellent points and questions.

First, I used “ghastly” to refer to the possible (and probable) visual impact of an urban farm on the Presidential residence and grounds. I repeat: “ugh”. However, if you read the entire blog, you see that I proposed that they indeed plant a vegetable garden to supplement the Obama family, since it’s their home. By “thinking like a gardener” I meant to be circumspect and careful, not impulsive and reactionary. Most gardeners I know, myself included, approach planting a garden with great care. It’s not like you can have it one day, and not the next—much like a pet. I’ve seen many a garden get neglected by first time gardeners, rather like abandoned pets. Plus, folks who don’t do it gradually, and experience failure, tend to avoid the hobby. That was the spirit and letter of “Camp Obama”. I believe the President is a bit introverted, so a garden is an ideal hobby. Turn it into an urban farm, and it’s just another photo op, of which I believe he needs, in fact, fewer. I can’t see Malia and Sasha getting involved in yet another public spectacle either. What better than to start with Camp David? Early press suggested that the Obamas enjoyed their first weekend there. Then, in a year, especially with staff and security folks’ “buy in” (via sampling in a natural context), a White House garden would occur naturally and perhaps more successfully from a public policy standpoint, which is your interest.

As for chemicals, I use very little, but also am no expert. I am sure your stats are 100%, so I support your effort to get the word out. I happen to love green lawns, and they’re especially wonderful in the dreadfully hot and humid DC summers. Why not a “healthy lawn” initiative along with your urban organic farm garden? You think folks are going to change their taste for lawns so easily as that? There are a lot of folks for whom a patch of sun in the front yard equals lawn…period. It’s nice looking to them. Also, a vegetable front yard is a bit tough to pull off well. The Italian community here does it here and there, but it can look rough unless well done. Critter issues for some folks too. However, I maintain that if they–the Obamas–want one, great. As I tried to say, let it occur naturally. The house and grounds are some of the very few things that won’t burden him with too many issues, and shouldn’t.

Finally, the current staff is well known to have supported the Bushes in their small rooftop garden and the chef, a native Filipina, will remind the president of the Asian roots of the food of his youth, so maybe some oriental vegetables and herbs will be on the rooftop soon, if they aren’t sown already. I simply wish him well with a garden of his own at Camp David. If you want to push hard an agenda for urban farming, why not go after Congress too? I’d be very glad to help.

Thanks again for your response, and I hope you can make it to the Heronswood Open in Kingston, Washington in July and late August/early September. Very exciting, and we’ll have an elegant potager which could be a very good model for the Obamas.
George