First Lady highlights benefits of gardening

Gardening has a powerful new allay having won the backing of Michelle Obama, the New York Times politics and government blog reports.

The First Lady commented on her belief in gardening as a means to boost the production of fresh food and provide aesthetic pleasure while presenting a seedling from the Jackson memorial tree to employees of the Agriculture Department.

"Im a big believer in community gardens, both because of their beauty and for their access to providing fresh fruits and vegetables to so many communities across this nation and the world," she said at the event, according to the Caucus.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has been encouraged to give the order for a new vegetable garden to be created in the White House in order to set an example for the rest of the country.

Another option would be to install a greenhouse to grow fruit and vegetables in.

President Andrew Jackson planted the Jackson tree in memory of his wife Rachel, who died before her husband made it to the White House.

He also created the White House orangery as an early form of greenhouse.