First lady brings Native American kids to garden

[June 04, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Guests at next week's White House state dinner will dine on lettuce and other veggies from the first lady's garden.

Michelle Obama invited a group of Native American children to her plot on Friday to help plant what are called the "three sisters" -- corn, beans and squash. They also harvested vegetables that were planted two months ago, and some of that will be used on Tuesday.

Planting corn, beans and squash together apparently is good all around: the corn gives the beans something to grow on, the beans provide nitrogen for the soil and the squash blocks sunlight and prevents weeds.

Last week, Mrs. Obama focused her anti-obesity campaign on Native Americans. The White House says 1 in 3 Native American children are overweight or obese by age 5.

[Associated Press; By DARLENE SUPERVILLE]

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