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Post by Jim on Mar 20, 2009 9:51:59 GMT -5
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Post by greeneyes on Mar 21, 2009 1:33:39 GMT -5
It sure is encouraging..Lets hope that her example will get more people out there digging and planting their own fresh vegetables,especially children..Children are more likely to eat fresh vegetables if they are involved in the growing process...Fresh air,sunshine,good food,a benefit for all of us...Michelle is a good person and her heart is in the right place.
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 21, 2009 4:50:20 GMT -5
I think it's a great idea.
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Post by bunkie on Mar 21, 2009 10:15:28 GMT -5
wonderful news!
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Post by PatrickW on Mar 21, 2009 14:07:05 GMT -5
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Post by sandbar on Mar 21, 2009 21:21:18 GMT -5
I wish she'd have worn something other than spandex for the "gardening photo-op." Doesn't she own blue jeans and a sweatshirt for crying out loud?
Ya, I ALWAYS garden in spandex and a sweater dress ... my wife hates it when I do that ... ;D
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Post by grunt on Mar 21, 2009 22:01:55 GMT -5
Pics Sandbar?
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mostlypurple
grub
SE Michigan, Kitchen garden, Z 5b-6a
Posts: 86
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Post by mostlypurple on Mar 21, 2009 22:06:14 GMT -5
But...what if HR 875 passes? What will become of this little white house garden project Going public about how "organic" this little garden is was probably a mistake then, since using organic methods would then be criminal. But if she gives up on organic, and uses non-organic methods, she'll still have to have a written food safety plan too, won't she. And what was she thinking to have local fifth graders "working" in this "food establishment" , wait, or would it be a "food production facility"? now I'm confused
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Post by grungy on Mar 22, 2009 0:28:50 GMT -5
Remember who's the "commander-in-chief" - the bill doesn't say that they have to "nail" everyone.
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Post by ceara on Mar 22, 2009 10:08:03 GMT -5
That video was too funny. You can really tell who doesn't grow up digging in dirt for plants. She was moving so slow! At that rate not much will get done. Not to mention the inappropriate garden attire. It's hard to tell from that video and some of the still shots I've seen of the event, but the garden seems so small! They have a huge property there and most of it is lawn. And while much of the country is experiencing drought or on restrictions on how much water they can use, I'm sure their lawn gets plenty of water and they will never let it turn brown. Seems kind of two-faced to me in a way. A "do as we say and not as we do" type of attitude. I know they appear to be making an effort, but I'm kind of peeved. The whole idea of this garden was to feed the white house and give extras to the food banks. There's hardly any variety in the vegetables they have chosen. Mostly leafy greens, with a few herbs thrown in, a Rhubarb and some Broccoli. Two little girls live there and they are not even growing pumpkins. No corn, no squashes, no cucumbers or tomatoes, no potatoes, and no beans! At least they are planning for peas. Ah well, I guess it's a start. But I just can't figure out how the local food banks are going to benefit from mostly lettuce. In my opinion they should be growing a row of almost every type of veg. Heck they could even afford to force Sea Kale or grow Asparagus. Whatever the family doesn't like to eat, they can donate to the needy. If anyone hasn't seen the drawn plan, here it is
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Post by PatrickW on Mar 22, 2009 10:40:39 GMT -5
Just so everyone knows, here's proof, I nearly exactly guessed the location of the garden: www.patnsteph.net/weblog/?p=736It should be about where the trees in the left of the picture are...
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Post by moonlilyhead on Mar 22, 2009 19:22:17 GMT -5
I think it is very refreshing. I can remember when I first began gardening all of the mistakes I made (and still make), especially when it came to square footage. Of course, I'm sure she has someone helping with all that stuff.
Just the fact that she is trying this is wonderful. I did think her attire was odd, but I suppose she is trying to keep up appearances, lest she get ridiculed for being "sloppy" and disrespectful of the First Lady postion.
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Post by bunkie on Mar 22, 2009 21:44:50 GMT -5
i just saw Obama on 60 Minutes and he talked a short bit about the white house veggie garden. a transcript will probably be out tomorrow. he said they got the entire kitchen staff to put in their ideas about what to grow and all. they, the staff, were all looking forward to the fresh food he said. he also stated that they all will be working in the garden.
as far as her attire, i agree with moonlily about the first lady appearance thingy. and i couldn't agree more that this is a wonderful thing they are doing, supporting the gardening ideology.
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Post by flowerpower on Mar 23, 2009 5:39:42 GMT -5
I was just wondering if the Obamas had a garden at their house in Illinois? I think that it may encourage more families to plant veggies. But will it be cost efficient at the white house. The paid staff will be the ones doing all the real work-the tilling, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting...I notice the plot is very far from the kitchen. If they want to keep it organic, it has to be quite a distance. It can't be near the Rose Garden. I doubt they are following organic practices there.
What a strange combination of veggies they chose to plant. Are they gonna eat just greens and onions in a salad? lol No maters,peppers or cukes? And what gardener decided on the placement? They have tons of things stuffed into one bed and 2 spots where only late lettuce will go. No early crop? And no pumpkins for the kids, very strange. lol
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Post by PatrickW on Mar 23, 2009 6:31:05 GMT -5
It could be wrong of course, but what I read into their garden plans is this.
From the way Michelle was wielding that rake, I don't think she's ever gardened before, and I doubt they had a garden in Illinois. Remember it's the first year on former grass, and it's going to be weedy and nutrient poor. I think they were trying to get a good mix of things that would do well and would not prove to be too much of a discouragement right off the bat. I heard from someone who heard from someone else, they spent $200 on the garden (so I'm not sure if this number is right). I think they chose the placement, so it would be clearly visible from the street and so to show by example that a vegetable garden is not out of place in an urban setting like a front lawn. I think they chose the size of the garden so that it was realistic for most suburban dwellers in the US to have a similar sized garden. Simply put, I think they are trying to provide a model garden for all Americans.
I think too they are not interested in creating a debate over OP/F1 or GMOs. I am quite certain they want to keep their garden 'non-political'. I think they figured peas and spinach were not too likely to upset anyone.
As far as what else to grow, lets come up with some concrete suggestions! I know I personally would love to see them celebrate the work of American public domain breeders, past and present. Maybe we can suggest some heirloom veggies grown by Jefferson in Monticello.
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