The Garden at the Roof of the World by W.B.J. Williams

This was a way to save manpower, fuel, and money required to take care of the lawns, because all resources were needed to fight overseas. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson brought sheep to graze and fertilize the lawns. The onset of World War I brought the start of food rationing to the White House. Then several years later the greenhouse was broken down later in 1902 and replaced by the West Wing. The orangery produced fruit from 1836 until it was demolished and replaced by a full-scale greenhouse in 1857. In 1835 President Andrew Jackson built a hothouse made out of glass, known as the orangery, that grew tropical fruit. Adams also helped develop the flower gardens that Jefferson had originally planted. He personally planted seedlings such as fruit trees, herbs and vegetables to support his household. In 1825, Adams was the first president to plant ornamental trees on the White House lawns. Jefferson also picked the location of the flower garden that was planted.

This inspired many American families to plant gardens in their yards. Since the grounds of the garden were too raw and muddy for serious planting in the first decade of the 19th century, President Jefferson arranged the construction of his own vegetable garden above Charlottesville so that it would be ready for his retirement. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson, the second president who resided in the White House, transformed Adams’ garden with the addition of ornamental and fruit trees. After President Adams planted the first garden, former presidents that lived in the White House cultivated gardens of their own. Adams and his wife grew their own fresh fruits and vegetables to feed their family, rather than buying produce at the local market. The first White House garden was planted in 1800, by the second president of the United States John Adams and first lady Abigail Adams.

The current garden is funded by a $2.5-million donation provided in 2016 by Burpee Seeds and The Burpee Foundation. On March 20, 2009, Michelle Obama broke ground on the largest and most expansive vegetable garden to date on the White House lawn. Hillary Clinton had a vegetable garden constructed on the roof of the White House. Roosevelt planted the White House victory garden during World War II to promote the use of victory gardens by American citizens in a time of possible food scarcity. Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama all have had their own versions of vegetable gardens. The White House has had multiple vegetable gardens since its completion in 1800. Michelle Obama and chef Sam Kass plant the garden with the help of Bancroft Elementary School fifth graders in 2009.

The Garden at the Roof of the World by W.B.J. Williams