• April 20, 2009
• Vol. 71
• No. 15

From Lawn to Lunch

Seed Sales Are Up as Families Across the Country—including the Obamas—replace Grass with Edible Gardens

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From PEOPLE Magazine

The neighbors were confused: One day the adjacent lawns of Kelly and Michael Sandman and Allison Collins and Justin Rooney had dirt where grass had been. "People were sympathetic," says Collins, 37, a massage therapist. "They thought someone had torn up our yard as a prank." It was no joke: The two couples gave up their suburban landscaping to make way for communal beans, herbs, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli and cantaloupe.

With food prices rising and money tight, lawn gardens have taken off. This spring, 7 million U.S. households—including the First Family—plan to plant one, up 19% over last year, says the National Gardening Association. The experiment was a success, says Kelly, 33, a woodworker. Besides yielding a bounty of produce, she says, the garden "makes me feel rooted."

• Contributors:
• CONTRIBUTORS Johnny Dodd,
• Wendy Grossman.

More From This Article

The Obamas Veg Out Too

On March 20 Michelle Obama got down and dirty as she helped break ground for a kitchen garden on the South Lawn of the White House. Toiling beside fifth graders from Washington, D.C.'s Bancroft Elementary School, the First Lady helped carve out an 1,100-sq.-ft. plot that will house organic herbs and vegetables for family meals and formal dinners. Added extra: exercise! The President, she vows, as well as her girls, will pull weeds.

Growing Your Own

In 2005 writer Ed Bruske started raising vegetables in the 20 ft. × 100 ft. front yard of his Washington, D.C., home. He now shares tips and recipes at theslowcook.com.

What's an easy crop for beginners? Leafy greens, like lettuce. You can literally scatter the seeds and they grow like weeds.

When best to start? As soon as possible. Cool-weather vegetables like peas and spinach you can plant before the last frost.

Best way to save a crop from pests? Fences keep out furry creatures. There are organic compounds for treating infestations.

What's the savings over buying organic salad ingredients? A packet of 50 tomato seeds is $3. I use maybe six seeds [to grow] 100 lbs. of tomatoes. If it's $3.50/lb. for heirloom tomatoes that's $3 compared to $350.