Michelle Obama, schoolchildren start White House garden

First lady Michelle Obama and 26 fifth-graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington broke ground on the White House organic vegetable garden, the first at the residence since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II.

First lady Michelle Obama planted the first fruits and vegetables in the new White House garden in April. And yes, sage, made the seedling list.

The first lady was joined by students from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington, D.C. The fifth-graders tend to a similar garden at school.

Spinach, salad greens, herbs and berries are among the crops being planted in the Kitchen Garden.

The students will return to the White House for the harvest and to help cook some of the produce in the White House kitchen. Some of the crops also will be served at the White House and donated to a local soup kitchen.

For, Michelle Obama, the garden is a dream realized. She said her family had discussed planting such a garden since they moved to the White House in January.

Earlier this year, the first lady, along with those same students, broke ground on the White House organic vegetable garden. It is the first at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II.

Twenty-six fifth-graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington help the first lady turn the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot. They also will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.

Assistant chef Sam Kass and Obama pass out shovels to the children. More than 100,000 people asked the president to plant a garden on the White House lawn, according to Kitchen Gardeners International, a coalition of gardeners whose mission is to inspire and teach people to grow their own food.

The first lady speaks to the students before lunch. While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and formal dinners, Obama also wants it to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables.

The White House chefs came out to see what they will have to work with in the kitchen. One thing is certain: there will be no beets. The president does not like them.

A flat of plants sits on the White House lawn Kass and gardener Dale Haney use flags to mark the plot. A variety of lettuces and leafy greens made the cut. The garden also will have cilantro, tomatillos and hot peppers because the Obamas love Mexican food. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries, and two beehives will provide honey.

The White House grounds crew and the kitchen staff, which includes Kass and Ganey, will do most of the work, but other staff members have volunteered. Obama said the first family, including her husband, also will help pull weeds "whether they like it or not."

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First lady Michelle Obama planted the first fruits and vegetables in the new White House garden in April. And yes, sage, made the seedling list.

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