Chalk this up as another reminder that we need to rethink our germaphobic concepts of "clean" and "dirty." I had a geology teacher in high school who wouldn't let us say the word "dirt" in class—he thought the word had negative connotations that didn't do justice to the life-giving power of soil. It pains me to say it now, but Mr. Lundgren: you were right. Soil isn't dirty, it's good for you.

Think about it for a second. Animals have been eating around dirt for millions of years, but we've only been using pesticides for a couple of generations. It shouldn't surprise anyone that a chemical-filled, dirt-free diet is going to have some negative, unintended consequences for us—like causing learning disabilities in children. And that's not even beginning to mention the effects on the rest of the planet.

Looking for ideas of how to get some of that smart, dirty bacteria into your system? Start an organic garden. Here are 5 tips to get you started. And here are 2 easy compost recipes.

Image Credit: Steven DePolo

Today I went out and picked all the remaining green tomatoes off my plant, 15 in all. The weather is too cold and the plant too worn down to sustain them anymore. After more than 5 months of growing, it is time to put this year's garbage tomato to bed.

There are still plenty of little yellow flowers all over it, but they're a pipe dream and aren't going anywhere. So this weekend I'll be taking down my garbage tomato and preparing the hole in the ground for next year's crop. Stay tuned, I'll show you.

“Local, affordable, nutritious food should be a right for everyone and not just a privilege for a few,” wrote Alice Waters, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and food activist in a letter to the White House in January, 2009.

A couple of months earlier at a Chicago fundraiser - which featured an Alice Waters-created menu - Michelle opined "You can't just make a dinner. It's got to be a nutritious dinner, grown with good, fresh, clean food. That takes time. Trust me."

I couldn’t agree with these two fabulous women more. The time has come for healthier, more nutrition-rich food – that’s local, seasonal and organic when possible – to take center stage for our country. What better place to start than with an edible garden?

Groundbreaking Gardening!

The first family is off to a running start when it comes to promoting homegrown eats.

Michelle Obama, an excited group of fifth graders and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack got to work planting a brand new vegetable garden on Thursday, 4/9.

The first sprout hasn’t poked its way through the soil yet, but already, the White House garden - championed by Michelle Obama’s enthusiasm for fresh and healthy food – has several fantastic messages for an under-nourished public that I’ve long espoused:

• Home gardening offers a great way to save money on expensive foods at the market – a tasty stimulus package for your kitchen!

• Home gardening inspires kids to eat their veggies: studies have shown that kids who grow their own vegetables eat more vegetables!

• It’s also a wonderful reason to get outdoors, rejuvenate your soul and reconnect with nature, something we can all benefit from both physically and mentally.

There’s a history of White House gardens. But with the publicity power of Michelle Obama, Slow Food enthusiast Alice Waters and countless other organic foodies, this administration is positioned to get the messages to the masses: grow your own, save money, have fun and eat healthily!

My Own Edible Garden and Get-Started Gardening Tips for You!

When my husband and I moved into our home, we were debating how to landscape our front yard. I suggested we plant an edible garden in both our front and our back yard, including my favorite - scrumptious organic artichokes!

Year after year, our edible garden has reaped us huge rewards in delivering organic produce. It has saved us tons of cash at check-out and made us quite popular on our block: families with children regularly stop to admire our front yard edible garden!

Plus, we’re reminding children about the origin of fruits and veggies – and that they come from the earth first – not just from the supermarket. In this way, my husband and I feel like we’re adding something to the community, which is a great feeling!

Here’s some tips for the beginning gardener. Already have an edible garden? What works for you and what doesn’t? Share your story with OrganicAuthority readers – we’d love to hear from you!

Preparing the Containers

Containers need holes at the bottom for drainage and some rocks for the plant roots to wrap around. The roots “don't want to have ‘wet feet,’ so to speak,” she says. Containers should be at least one size larger than the purchased pot size.

Feeding the Soil

More plants can be grown in a small space if the soil has been enriched with manure, compost or humus. You can buy a kit to test soil its composition to see if it needs more nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium, which are important nutrients for plants. It’s practically “a given,” Snyder says, that soil will need compost or manure after subsequent plantings because plants always remove nitrogen from dirt. One way to improve the soil is to add a scoop of compost in a hole when burying a plant. Feed the plants again at least once during the summer with a sprinkling of compost or compost tea, where a compost powder is mixed with water.

Buying Local

Consider planting native varieties because they handle a region's climate better. Local nurseries and county extension services can offer guidance. Some herbs, such as mints, sage and thyme, are hardier than others and grow back in the spring.