The Importance ofIncreasing Black Representation in Gardening

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Gardening can often feel daunting, especially when representation is lacking, making it harder for individuals to envision themselves in that role. Amber Grossman experienced this firsthand, prompting her to create the Instagram account @blackgirlsgardening in 2019 to address this gap in representation.

The idea for this community began back in 2017 after Grossman and her husband acquired their home in Wilmington, New York. Their yard, a blank slate with vast possibilities for gardening, inspired her to construct raised beds using reclaimed wood and nails. Through this process, she noticed a distinct absence of gardens in her neighborhood, which pushed her to seek inspiration on Instagram. “I was looking for ideas and help and then realized there wasn’t a strong community for Black people in the garden,” she told AD. With the launch of @blackgirlsgardening, she wanted to be a guiding light for others but didn’t anticipate the rapid growth that would follow.

When Grossman initiated the @blackgirlsgardening account, she had modest hopes for its reach.

Photo: Courtesy of Hannah Vega, published by Chronicle Books

Building a Supportive Community

The account quickly gained traction, amassing significant followers shortly after its inception. “I was hoping to have a couple thousand followers,” Grossman recalls. “That was the dream.” In a matter of months, the follower count surged to 10,000, reaching 60,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and currently stands at nearly 100,000. As the community expanded, publishers like Chronicle Books reached out to Grossman, resulting in the publication of her new book titled Black Girls Gardening: Empowering Stories and Garden Wisdom for Healing and Flourishing in Nature. This book highlights the experiences of 31 women and their connections to gardening, showcasing vibrant images of their plots and how these gardens empower them to cultivate nutritious and sustainable food sources.

Grossman pointed out that the rise in interest in gardening among many is often linked to rising grocery prices and the quality of produce available. “When people go to grocery stores and see the prices or the quality available, they want to turn to gardening,” she states. Compounding this issue are urban food deserts, which are areas with limited access to healthy food retail options like grocery stores and farmers’ markets, disproportionately impacting Black communities. This lack often forces residents to depend on corner stores that provide fewer nutritious options. Many women who connect with the @blackgirlsgardening account do so seeking guidance on how to grow their own healthy foods.

Embracing Imperfection

While the visuals showcased in the book and on the Instagram page are captivating, the narrative emphasizes that gardening is not about achieving flawless aesthetics. “Gardening itself is an inherently messy endeavor,” Grossman remarks. Soil and mud are intrinsic to the process, and plants don’t always thrive despite the utmost care. “I share [online and in the book] the hard work that goes into gardening. They are beautiful images, but sometimes you get insight on what to do when plants die or gardens don’t turn out right,” she continues. “That’s the whole point of Black Girls Gardening.”

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