Has first lady Michelle Obama's new White House garden inspired you to create one of your own?

If so, here are some suggestions to get started.

First of all, follow the Obamas' example and go green; growing organically is the way to go. There's no reason to use chemicals in the home garden. But not everything that's organic is safe -- nature can make some pretty toxic stuff. I haven't sprayed anything organic on my plants in at least 10 years and no chemicals in more than 20.

If you want to duplicate what the first family is creating on the South Lawn, first feed the soil, not the plants. That means adding organic matter, like well-aged animal manures, compost, dehydrated manure or mushroom manure, whatever you can find that's cheap and readily available. Mushroom manure can change the pH of the soil, so only use it every three years. Mix up your amendments. Variety will help the garden.

Animal manure means livestock, not cats and dogs, and it can't be fresh. It needs to sit at least six months to mellow. The new stuff will burn plants and can even spread e. coli onto your plants.

Wherever you get your manure, ask where the old pile is and how long it's been sitting there. I always dig from the old pile.Also, local municipalities often give away compost made out of leaves or sell it cheap.

Improving the soil is the hardest job of gardening, but it's essential. Digging in organic matter will turn a clay soil into something friable. Or just dumping compost to create a raised bed at least 12 inches deep will provide everything the plants will need for the season.

Plants growing in good soil and compost will outgrow most diseases and fight off many pests because they are healthy. There are many plants that can be started now as long as the soil is workable. Here's a rule of thumb: If the dirt sticks to the shovel, it's too wet to work. Wait until the soil is ready, then turn it over.

Start with cool-weather crops like peas, lettuce, radishes, onions, carrots, cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts), spinach, turnips and beets to take advantage of the early season. These crops can survive frost and thrive in cool weather.

Everything except the cole crops and onions are usually started from seed directly sowed in the garden. Cole crops are most often added as transplants in mid-April, and onions are often grown from sets and can be planted now.

To plant seeds, dig the area and rake it fine. If you want rows, sprinkle the seed into a shallow furrow an inch deep, then barely cover with dirt. Tamp down the soil on top of the seeds with the rake, but never walk on the bed. Water right away and when the seeds sprout, thin them to the spacing recommended on the seed pack. Use the thinnings in salads or snack on them right out in the garden.

The White House garden will include different lettuces, radishes, spinach, peas, shallots, onions, Swiss chard, herbs, kale, collards, carrots, rhubarb, berries, peppers and arugula. It also will have some mint confined to its own bed so it doesn't take over the entire garden. It's not clear if these crops will be replaced with some heat-loving plants like tomatoes, squash and cucumbers later in the season.

To attract pollinators, include flowers such as marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums that Mrs. Obama has planned along the main paths of the White House garden. The garden also will have a couple of hives of honey bees. They will provide much more fruit by doing their work, flying from flower to flower.

Tender crops such as beans, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins and others are planted during mid-May in our climate. Only the tomatoes and peppers are planted as transplants; the other crops can be started from seed directly in the garden.

Mulch around the plants as they are placed in the garden or after they sprout to keep the soil evenly moist. They require only 1 inch of water per week. If rain is sparse, water smartly. Plants should be watered at the base in the morning so they have a chance to dry off during the day. This helps prevent diseases and lets plants use the water most effectively.

Gardening should be fun and therapeutic, and your new garden will be a great source of fresh, healthy vegetables. By using organic techniques it will be safe for everyone, including the good bugs that will eat the bad ones.