Mar 20, 2009 4:12pm
Question of the Day: Will You Follow Michelle Obama’s Lead?
EmailThe "victory garden" has been a staple of wartime America; a way to help the nation produce enough food to sustain its citizenry. Today Michelle Obama has broken ground on a White House vegetable garden, though her motives are different: she seeks to promote locally grown and pesticide-free produce — recognizing that such gardens will also help Americans in tough economic times, and (if enough people follow her lead) it will also help the planet. So — our Question Of The Day: Are you thinking of following the First Lady’s lead? Do you already cultivate such a garden?
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I’m so glad Michelle Obama is doing this, especially in concert with a group of elementary school kids. Alice Waters has been advocating planting such a garden at the White House for decades. Finally, a first lady who gets it!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 20, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
I had a small garden last summer and will expand it this summer. I shared herbs and things out of my garden with my neighbors. I am looking forward to it. I am happy to see the First Family doing this at the White House, and hope to see more following their lead.
Posted by: suzi robinson | March 20, 2009, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
Nope.
Where I live, anything you plant is liable to come up with a set of eyes or something.
Posted by: Shudderific | March 20, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
I have been vegetable gardening for years!!!!
Kudos to Mrs. Obama!!!!
Everyone in America should plant a vegetable garden!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | March 20, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Follow HER lead???? She didn’t exactly invent gardening…good grief….
Posted by: samhiguchi | March 20, 2009, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
What about in winter?
Should build a green house?
Posted by: cilla | March 20, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Exactly what you said, samhiguchi. People have been gardeners ever since they graduated the hunter-gatherer stage, and spring is here, and that means a garden, as always. This year is especially important to plant a Recession Garden or Victory Garden, whichever you call it. Follow her lead? What a way to word it!
Posted by: Tracy Lynn | March 20, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Not only that, but I’m sure we all do our gardening in our dress clothes…
Posted by: samhiguchi | March 20, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
LMAO at ABC….doesn’t take much to amuse you guys huh..HA HA HA HA HA
I plant a tater yeaaaaaaaaaa do I’s get a ribbon Lmao
Posted by: o-DUMB-ah and his cabinet of clowns | March 20, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
“Follow HER lead???? She didn’t exactly invent gardening…good grief….” – samhiguchi
I’m thinkin that Michelle is following my lead.
My tomatoes are extra delicious this year.
The same goes for my Peppers.
I plant every year, mainly because the produce from the stores tastes like cardboard.
Posted by: Noz | March 20, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
“So — our Question Of The Day: Are you thinking of following the First Lady’s lead? Do you already cultivate such a garden?”
My Questions of the Day: How much is the government going to try to tax me for growing my own food and how long before I have to register with the Department of Agriculture and the FDA to grow it?
Posted by: I'm With Stupid | March 20, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
I learned to garden and home can food from my mom and mother in-law. We even make our own soup and process meat. I’ve been doing it all my life. It’s healthier and the exercise is great. And can be done organically. Kids spend too much time in front of video games and computers. It’s a great thing for kids.Gives them a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. And you don’t need a big space. You can grow vegies in raised beds and pots.
Posted by: bea | March 20, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
You really need to quit listening to Limbaugh and Hannity for the majority of your “news”. The conspiracy idiocy going on with those two and the increasingly weird Glenn, have I really stopped , Beck.
Where the RW whackjobs get this idiotic spew I’ll never know, it’s just getting weirder and weirder.
Posted by: Peter Jackson | March 20, 2009, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
I’m with stupid:”My Questions of the Day: How much is the government going to try to tax me for growing my own food and how long before I have to register with the Department of Agriculture and the FDA to grow it?”
Not hard questions. There is no tax for growing your own food, never has been and there is no proposal to do so.
If you grow it for personal consumption and it is not a banned drug, there is no requirement to register or submit to FDA requirements; never has been and there has been no proposal to institute any.
Posted by: jhw539 | March 20, 2009, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm
Not only did my parents grow our own fruits and vegetables, we had ducks, chickens, and rabbits. My brother-in-law caught fish, crabs, shrimp, and crawfish. I’m from New Orleans.
We were poor, but we ate like kings.
Just a question: Is that Michelle’s gardening outfit? Michelle can take her clothing allowance and give it to the poor if she Really wanted to help out and set a good example.
Michelle, are you going to work in the garden every day or just for photo ops?
Posted by: keep it real | March 20, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
bea:”And you don’t need a big space.”
Absolutely – the real value and accomplishment you can get from a half dozen pots of herbs is amazing. Look at the 10 most common things you pull out of your spice rack. You can probably grow at least 2 or three of them indoors (I’m partial to pesto, parsley and oregano in my cooking).
Posted by: jhw539 | March 20, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
Bravo Obama family gardeners. This is a great example for all. Every American that can should grow something. While Michelle is tending the garden the president needs to tend the Food and Drug Administration making sure that there are enough well trained protectors of our nation’s food supply.
Richard Ellmyer
Organic Gardener
Portland, Oregon
Posted by: Richard Ellmyer | March 20, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
JEEZ..what’s wrong with you people? No, she didn’t invent gardening. But she’s trying to do something worthwhile.She was prompted by a teacher that wanted her to plant a garden. Get over yourselves… Gardening is also a teaching tool for many of us in the midwest. We actually have ag classes. And the elementary schools have greenhouses and plants.A lot of us have been doing it all our lives. Instead of partying all weekend, we hoed and pulled and canned so we could eat. And I still do it. And some of us even had to sit all day Saturday at stands and sell that produce.
Posted by: nikki | March 20, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
keep it real:”Is that Michelle’s gardening outfit? Michelle can take her clothing allowance and give it to the poor if she Really wanted to help out and set a good example.
Michelle, are you going to work in the garden every day or just for photo ops?”
While certainly not your typical gardening grungies, if you check out the full picture at the Whitehouse website blog, it is a practical enough outfit. The long sweater makes it look like a formal skirt set, but it’s actually pants (with some too-shiny boots). Not that it matters much – this was a ground breaking with local school kids, not a serious work party.
Posted by: jhw539 | March 20, 2009, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
I think it’s a great thing! We waste so much effort on grass and shrubs that, though attractive, really don’t help sustain us. And our dietary habits are not what I’d call headed in the right direction. If we spent the same money and effort on growing things to eat, we’d all be healthier and have a few more $$ in our pockets. Stop planting those crepe myrtles along our highways and put in some fruit trees! Who care who thought of it first. If it’s a good thing, jump on the train…first or last it gets us to the station! Instead of food stamps, give us a basket to pick stuff into!!
Posted by: Janie | March 20, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
jhw39…you said it. I started my seeds in egg cartons with a little soil.I trade some of the seedlings for eggs from a friend. I trade apples and cherries for fresh chicken.Though I have a big garden now, I grew cucumber,tomatoes,peppers,lettuce and onions on a balcony in my first apartment. I for one, am happy she’s planting a garden. The kids will enjoy it. As far as how she’s dressed…not everbody that works a garden looks like farmer jack.
Posted by: bea | March 20, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
jhw: You’re into fashion, too?
Posted by: reality | March 20, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
reality:”jhw: You’re into fashion, too?”
Hardly, my assessment of outfits is strictly based on practicality.
Posted by: jhw539 | March 20, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Good example for the young that will be the backbone of our country…KUDOS for Mrs. Obama……..I now will plant more than peppers and tomatoes, I will try lettuce and maybe some blackberries in her honor.
Posted by: sngeorgia | March 20, 2009, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
jhw, you present yourself as an expert in everything. I’ve noticed you have the need to address other people’s opinion in many many fields.
Your sarcastic remarks to many people have not gone unnoticed.
You can express your opinion on a subject, without specifically calling other people out on things.
I just did to you what you have been doing to others on this ABC blog.
Posted by: real | March 20, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
I think this is wonderful….I love that you are so normal…good luck with the garden and keep up the good work….you’re a sweetie
Posted by: judy | March 20, 2009, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Why in God’s Heavenly name would I ever want to follow what she is doing when people have been doing this for years and years. She wouldn’t have done it if there hadn’t been a camera crew there and bet the people who work there will have to keep it up for her.
Posted by: Fay | March 21, 2009, 12:20 am 12:20 am
Does she do gardening in Chicago?
Posted by: cilla | March 21, 2009, 12:59 am 12:59 am
Can’t garden in Chicago.
Too much permafrost.
Even Baseball is played in the snow out thar.
Posted by: Chicago | March 21, 2009, 1:32 am 1:32 am
Great example. While many people have been gardening for years, it never hurts to have a first lady who understands how she can be an influence and inspiration to us all. Way to go, Michelle!
Posted by: Sunny | March 21, 2009, 1:37 am 1:37 am
Her outfit looked very expensive and not too practical for gardening.
She appeared very unnatural.
Did you see the list of vegetables they will be having?
Most people don’t have that much space, time or energy for such a garden.
You would have to have a staff (like Michelle) to keep up.
Bottom line: If you like Michelle, you will think she’s great.
If you don’t, it’s not that impressive.
Posted by: Farmer Jack Michelle | March 21, 2009, 5:43 am 5:43 am
Follow what lead? She, like her husband, is taking every idea from history.
What next, ration cards? It’s patriotic, folks…
But this is a convenient diversion, warm and fuzzy. Plus it will stoke the economy, as followers dash out to buy knock-offs of her “gardening duds” from walmart.
No, I’m not “following her lead.” That’s mindless. If it works for you, great. But how are you going to fit it in while working two jobs and doing the “volunteer civil service”?
Posted by: Eyes Open | March 21, 2009, 8:32 am 8:32 am
I planted my organic garden from seed a few weeks ago (I live in Phoenix) and my herbs, lettuces, tomatoes, sunflowers, peas, radishes, kale and carrots are already sprouting…just a small area!
Posted by: Adeline Driscoll | March 21, 2009, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
You mean Michelle is following my lead.
Posted by: Conservative Gardener | March 21, 2009, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
All these critical, condemning folks out there. What’s wrong with being upbeat? Michelle’s not claiming anybody’s name to fame RE prior gardening experience, your lead? What is with this fragile emotional IQ….leading with “victim” & self pity? Who cares what she did in Chicago? She’s setting a different example now. She’s doing some great things for local urban kids. And whoever else she picks up along the way, GO, Michelle! Let these folks eat their own sour grapes. GO, GIRL!
Posted by: hearthugger | March 22, 2009, 1:19 am 1:19 am
AGAIN: If you like Michelle, then she will look impressive to you.
If you don’t like her, then she just appears phony.
So, Michelle can go.
She can go someplace else.
Posted by: Phony Photo-Op Michelle | March 22, 2009, 6:35 am 6:35 am
I wouldn’t follow Michelle Obama on anything. If I choose to garden, it is because I want to. I have no desire to use her as a role model
Posted by: KM | March 22, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Wish I could. Husband’s father retired and expanded his family garden to 50′ by 50′. He was so successful with delicious fruits and vegetables that we were well fed, canning for winter could only hold so much before his wife said enough, and he donated the extra abundance to the local senior nursing home. He just enjoyed growing and harvesting and donating. I really do miss his fresh tomatoes. Miss him more!
Posted by: Nina | March 22, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
This is good. Not to take jobs from farm workers but it gives us more family
time as well. America needs more family time, don’t we?
Posted by: Kurt | March 23, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
“America needs more family time, don’t we?” – Kurt
Speak for yourself Kurt.
I have family time out the Wazoo!
Posted by: Noz | March 23, 2009, 7:29 am 7:29 am
Gardening rocks. It’s helping me survive going back to school. Go Michelle.
Posted by: Chris | September 12, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm