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A Garden of Renewal

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In a desolate part of Japan, where drought ravaged farmland, a visionary farmer saw potential in land that many would have overlooked. He revitalized this barren soil and accomplished the unimaginable: he grew food in a desert. In our "Food" unit, we delved into the origins of nutrients in our food, exploring both macro and micronutrients. We also studied the concepts of composters, decomposers, and producers, drawing insights from naturalist farmer Masanobu Fukuoka and biologist Charles Darwin.

Transitioning to mathematics, we applied formulas to calculate the volume and area of various shapes. With an open mind, I approached the Action Project (AP) with excitement about redesigning the White House Rose Garden. This course included a trip to Plant Chicago, where we learned about mushrooms as decomposers and how to cultivate them.

Our AP tasked us with building a garden. Since I already had a garden at home, I wanted to create something new. I reached out to my teacher, who encouraged my idea of redesigning "The White House Rose Garden." I chose this garden because it embodies valor and diplomacy, having hosted many significant foreign meetings and state dinners throughout presidential history.

Fun fact: when Queen Elizabeth II visited the White House, she walked on the very grasses of the Rose Garden, making it a site of royal significance. In 2020, the Trump Administration initiated "Project Rose Thorn," led by First Lady Melania Trump, which involved a controversial revamp of the rose garden. She removed decades of history, including the grasses that the Queen had stepped on and the roses planted by Jackie Kennedy.

I began by researching blueprints for the White House Rose Garden, a challenging task since it is the White House! After some searching, I found the architects' plans for the Trump-era remodel. I was astonished to learn that they removed 25 feet of grass to make way for a limestone walkway.

Once I understood what I wanted to do, I calculated the garden's area. Since all my plots were either squares or rectangles, I used the formula L×W. The garden's dimensions were 60 ft x 125 ft, giving me an area of 7,500 square feet. For the volume, I calculated 60ft×10ft×125ft, resulting in 75,000 cubic feet.

Next, I selected a variety of plants suitable for the climate of Zone 7 (which defines the hardiness of the soil). I aimed for plants that would be easy to reach and enjoyable to eat—something any president should want in the world’s most prestigious executive mansion. Below is my planting schedule:

Flowers:

  • Marigolds: Early April
  • Roses: Early January
  • Sunflowers: Mid-April
  • Tulips: Mid-March

Fruits:

  • Blackberries: Mid-May
  • Blueberries: Early March
  • Raspberries: Early March

Herbs:

  • Dill: Early January
  • Rosemary: Mid-February

Vegetables:

  • Beans: Early May
  • Cabbage: January
  • Carrots: Early March
  • Collards: Early March
  • Green Beans: Early April
  • Peas: Mid-March
  • Snap Peas: Mid-February
  • Spinach: Mid-April
  • Tomatoes: Mid-March

This was my design and plan for the garden. I hope you enjoyed my presentation! I found this project fascinating as it allowed me to merge my passion for politics with my love for roses. 

Below is my slideshow for your viewing. 

Have a wonderful day!


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