Plan of the White House vegetable garden

A rendering of the proposed White House vegetable garden.

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Twenty-six elementary schoolchildren wielded shovels, rakes, pitchforks and wheelbarrows to help first lady Michelle Obama break ground on a produce and herb garden on the White House grounds. Spinach, broccoli, lettuces, kale and collard greens will be among the crops to be planted in the coming week. The first harvest is expected by late April. A beehive also is part of the project. Assistant chef Sam Kass says some produce will be cooked in the White House kitchen and some will be given to a local soup kitchen where Obama recently helped serve lunch. Obama told the students that her family has talked about planting such a garden since they moved to the White House.

Associated Press