Summer in the White House Kitchen Garden

While all of our gardens are peaking right now, here is a garden you might want to take a closer peek at–the Nation’s Kitchen Garden.

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While all of our gardens are peak right now , here is a garden you might want to take a close-fitting peek at – the Nation ’s Kitchen Garden . Did you know that you could stage a engagement for a private tour of the White House Kitchen Garden during this summer time of year ? Last week , I went with the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America and we had the whole garden to ourselves ( well of course , we were accompanied by some protection as well as a guide ) !

If you have a grouping concerned in visiting the Kitchen Garden , you’re able to reach out to the White House Visitor ’s Center and arrange a private tour , free of heraldic bearing ( maximum of 25 people ) from now through October . We were the very first term of enlistment of the time of year and our tour guide Chelsea , was a adorable vernal woman from California , who has ferment for the Visitor ’s Center for two long time . She was accompanied by an intern name Tommy , from Greensboro , North Carolina , who is there just for the summer and he obligingly take photos for us with our cubicle phone ( no cameras allowed ) . We walk from security with our guides along a nerve tract , through a antechamber and into the Jacqueline Kennedy garden and then past the back of the White House and Fountain on the Southlawn offer us first-class views of both .

The weather condition in the Washington , D.C. , Maryland and Virginia expanse has been a mo cooler than usual with adorable , blowy days , blue skies and clouds and this day was no exception – a perfect mean solar day for touring the White House Kitchen Garden – or any garden for that topic . Added to our good lot , we were conjoin by Jim Adams , Chief Horticulturist at the White House ; Jim is a longstanding member of the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America , as well as past chair for our unit , so we were enthralled to see him . Jim and Chelsea evidence us about how the bed change throughout the time of year to keep the gardens looking good ; the garden is organic in that no pesticide are spray . The garden is helping hand dug and hand watered – no soaker hose there ! We walk about the garden bed spill over with vegetables and herbs – and virtually weed free – and were able to ask enquiry .

harvest are rotated except for perennial herbaceous plant bed ; herbs and vegetable are often develop together . There is a new pollinator ’s layer , which is a not bad learning accession for children and adult ; there is a Thomas Jefferson bed with plants produce from heirloom seeds from Monticello ; and there are beds of veg which are grown because they are favorites of the First Family . Besides summer regular like tomato plant , squash , peppers and eggplant , there are fava , lima and gullible bean , beautiful , marvelous kale plants , a whole bed of sweet-smelling white potato , and peanuts which were in bloom . The plants are used to feed the First Family , as well as for State Dinners , and if there is excess green groceries , it is fall in to one of the food banks in the D.C. area .

gardener keep the kitchen staff informed as to what is ripening or nearing harvest in the garden , so that Chef Sam Kass , and other cooks can plan their menus , as well as help harvest the produce . I could order that somebody likes basil , since there was a lot of green bush basil , Thai basil and lemon yellow basil ready to be harvest .

We were also lucky that there was room for us to go on the House Tour after our garden tour – and as we were walk back toward the White House – we interpret Bo and Sunny , the First Family ’s dogs go for a walk . Not to miss a exposure op , our group had our picture taken with Bo and Sunny ( they were very well - do ) .

I further you to take advantage of this great opportunity to tour the White House Kitchen Garden.https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours_and_events/garden

The summer time of year is in full lilt in all of our gardens – the next few days – the end of July and beginning of August is love asLunghasain Ireland . It officially begins the harvest season ; if you are like me , the onion and ail have been dig and are curing , the squash and cukes are come in with great teemingness , while tomatoes , Solanum melongena and chiles are just beginning . Celebrate the harvesting time of year with unspoilt things to eat from your garden – and support your local farmers , markets and roadside stands !

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The Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America recently enjoyed a tour of the White House Kitchen Garden. Click on other pix to enlarge photos and read captions.Photo/Illustration: Tommy the Intern from NC

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