When I first heard that Michelle Obama was writing a garden book, I was skeptical.
It’s great for her “Let’s Move!” program, developed by the first lady to fight child obesity, which is mentioned often in the book. It’s also good for the National Park Foundation, which will receive book sale proceeds. But I thought there wouldn’t be much in the book that I would find useful. After all, she was a first-time gardener and I was a seasoned green thumber.
I was mistaken.
Obama has put together an engaging and instructive coffee-table-style book that covers a number of gardening topics (sustainability, community gardens and beehives, to list a few), displays gorgeous photographs (maybe too many of the first family’s dog, Bo) and offers tips for all levels of gardeners.
Based on lessons learned, she passes along advice to newbies on how to prevent soil erosion, control weed growth and keep garden beds hydrated.
For the more advanced gardener, the first lady has suggestions for curtailing infestations of cutworms and cucumber beetles, and for managing plant spacing.
The info that I found most useful comes from contributor Jim Adams, National Park Service supervisory horticulturist.
Adams presents guidance on a bunch of topics, from growing plants in containers, back yards and on windowsills to soil and watering recommendations. He also gives great advice on starting a children’s garden.
My favorite part is the seven-page chapter on the history of the White House garden.
It follows the transformation of the Pennsylvania Avenue property from the administrations of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to when Franklin D. Roosevelt enlisted Staten Island native Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to design plans for the grounds. It also touches on Lady Bird Johnson’s love of wildflowers, the Kennedys’ redoing the Rose Garden and the tomatoes that were planted in pots for the Clintons and George W. and Laura Bush.
Email: edel@northjersey.com. For the latest in gardening news, head to Ray’s garden blog at northjersey.com/compostings or follow him @ twitter.com/njgardening. Got a garden question? Post it in detail at northjersey.com/root.
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