Michelle Obama plants first seedlings in White House garden....

Mrs Obama was joined by a group of 25 children who tend to a similar garden at their school for the inaugural plantings.

Among the crops brought into the 1,100-square-foot L-shaped plot on the South Lawn was spinach, assorted types of lettuce, herbs - including dill, oregano and rosemary - onions, shallots, cucumbers, peppers and peas.

An advocate of eating fresh and healthy food, Mrs Obama and her family could be enjoying salads made with lettuce from the garden in a fortnight and blueberries "by June".

Before the group got their hands dirty, Mrs Obama talked to the Bancroft Elementary School students about eating more fruit and vegetables. "It does have nutrients, it does make you strong, it is all brain food," she said. Mrs Obama said she was asked about the garden while in Europe last week by Prince Charles, another keen gardener.

"In many countries they really believe in the importance of planting and growing their own food," she told the children. She said the garden was also "real inexpensive," no more than $200, and would yield "a ton of stuff."

"We can produce enough fruits and vegetables to feed us for years and years to come, for just a couple of hundred dollars," she said. Some of the food grown in the garden will be served to the Obamas and to White House staff and guests. Some will be donated to a local soup kitchen.