Growing a Garden: Honoring Black History in Agriculture

Gardening is more than planting seeds—it’s a practice rooted in survival, resistance, innovation, and community. For centuries, Black farmers, gardeners, and agricultural leaders have shaped the way food is grown, shared, and sustained. Learning how to grow a garden today is also an opportunity to honor that legacy and reconnect with traditions that continue to nourish both land and people.

This tutorial will guide you through how to start and grow a garden, while highlighting the historical contributions of Black agriculture that influence modern gardening practices.

Why Black History Matters in Gardening

Agriculture has always been central to Black history. Enslaved Africans brought deep agricultural knowledge with them—understanding soil health, seed saving, irrigation, and crop diversity. Despite oppression, Black farmers preserved food traditions, developed farming innovations, and used agriculture as a path toward independence and community care.

From George Washington Carver’s work on crop rotation and soil health to modern urban farming movements led by Black growers, agriculture has been a tool for resilience and empowerment.

When we garden today, we’re continuing a story that began generations ago.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Space for Your Garden

Black farmers historically worked with the land they had—sometimes in small plots, backyard spaces, or community fields. You can do the same.

Choose a space that:

• Receives at least 6 hours of sunlight

• Has access to water

• Can be a backyard, raised bed, balcony, or community garden plot.

  
  

 History connection: Community gardens today mirror the shared growing spaces Black communities created to feed families and neighbors when access to land and resources was limited.

Step 2: Preparing Healthy Soil (A Lesson from the Past)

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. George Washington Carver taught farmers that soil must be cared for—not exhausted.

How to prepare your soil:

1. Remove weeds and debris.

2. Loosen soil with a shovel or garden fork.

3. Add compost or organic matter to improve nutrients.

   
   

 History connection: Crop rotation, composting, and soil restoration were essential practices promoted by Black agricultural leaders long before they became mainstream.

Step 3: Selecting Crops with Cultural Roots

Many foods grown in home gardens today have deep ties to Black agricultural history.

Consider planting:

• Collard greens

• Okra

• Sweet potatoes

• Black-eyed peas

• Peppers

• Corn

• Herbs like basil and thyme

  
  

 History connection: These crops sustained Black families through slavery, Reconstruction, and beyond—and remain staples in many cultural food traditions today.

Step 4: Planting Seeds and Seed Saving

Planting seeds is an act of hope—and historically, seed saving was an act of survival.

Planting basics:

• Follow the seed depth instructions on the packet.

• Water gently after planting

• Label rows or containers

Seed saving tip: Allow some plants to fully mature and collect seeds for the next season.

 History connection: Enslaved Africans and Black farmers secretly saved and shared seeds to preserve foodways, autonomy, and cultural identity.

Step 5: Caring for Your Garden

Gardens thrive with consistent care.

Weekly maintenance includes:

• Watering deeply (especially during dry periods)

• Pulling weeds

• Checking for pests

• Adding mulch to retain moisture

  
  

History connection: Gardening knowledge was often passed down orally—from elders to children—creating generational wisdom still used today.

Step 6: Harvesting and Sharing the Abundance

Harvest crops when they’re ripe, and don’t be afraid to share.

Harvest tips:

• Pick leafy greens often to encourage growth.

• Harvest early in the morning for the best flavor.

• Use clean tools to avoid plant damage.

  
  

 History connection: Mutual aid and food sharing have long been central to Black agricultural communities, ensuring no one went hungry.

Gardening as Liberation and Legacy

Gardening has always been more than food—it’s been a pathway to self-sufficiency, healing, and justice. Today’s Black farmers and gardeners continue to reclaim land, grow healthy food, and teach future generations the power of agriculture.

By planting a garden, you’re not just growing vegetables—you’re cultivating history, resilience, and hope.

Final Thoughts

Whether your garden is a single pot or a full backyard, every seed planted connects us to a powerful agricultural legacy. Honoring Black history in gardening reminds us that growing food is both a practical skill and a cultural inheritance worth protecting and celebrating.

 Grow food. Grow knowledge. Grow freedom.