Bloom and Grow Radio: Episode 85: Historic Black Plant People and Top 5 Favorite Plants from Africa

Episode 85: Historic Black Plant People and Top 5 Favorite Plants from Africa

Mar 18, 2020

I’m excited to have another podcaster join me today on the podcast! Today we welcome Colah B Tawkin of the Black in the Garden Podcast who created the podcast to bring more of a voice and presence for the stories and voices of Black Gardeners and Plant People.

Today, in a belated Black History Month episode (since I didn’t air the podcast last month) Colah shares amazing stories about some historic black gardeners and plant people, we discuss her top 5 favorite houseplants that originate in Africa and Colah highlights some beautifully diverse gardeners doing amazing things in the plant space who we need to know about! This conversation was eye opening, enlightening and inspiring and I’m thankful to Colah for sharing all of this amazing information! I hope you find this information as interesting as I did and that maybe you find a new person on IG to follow or make your #plantfriendIRL!

In this episode we learn:

About Colah and her plant lady journey and why she created the Black in the Garden Podcast
About Harriet Tubman's knowledge of plants and how it served her as she lead people to freedom on the Underground Railroad
About how George Washington Carver, who was born a slave, revolutionized agriculture in the South
Colah's top 5 favorite houseplants that originate in Africa
Colah shares companies and people who are striving for inclusivity and representation in the plant space (tagged and linked below)

Mentioned in the Episode:

Colah and the Black in the Garden Podcast

@SoulfireFarm(IG), Farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system.

Leah Penniman author of Farming While Black

@GreenHeffaFarm (IG) - NC hemp farmer, hemp herbal tea purveyor, Farmer Cee on Youtube

@cocoandseed (IG) nature inspired home and garden products: personalized enamel camping mugs (monstera mugs!), indoor garden kits(desktop microgreens planters), rose gold propagation tube stands, cute journal stickers + more! Products are carefully crafted, sourced, and packaged with eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

https://cocoandseed.com/?ref=blackinthegarden 10% off with *Black in the Garden affiliate link*

@seedmailseedco (IG) Black purveyor of adorably packaged $0.99 seeds (microgreens +garlic +potatoes) with a mission is to deliver affordable garden adventures right to your doorstep. Offering in depth online grow guides to empower new gardeners!

Code: BLACKINTHEGARDEN for buy 5 get 1 free *Black in the Garden affiliate code*

@urbanfarmsista (IG) 'The Bug Lady' Nadia Ruffin: Entomologist and Science enthusiast

founder of the Agricademy: Teaching youth about the agriculture industry through agriscience and career exploration.

https://quiwiproduce.farm/school/ Youtube: Urban Farm Sista

@botanical.highlander (IG) Derek Haynes 'The Crazy Botanist'

Botanist, author, and kombucha maker, spreading the love of plant and fungi to all!

@Lillithplantshop (IG), Washington DC plant shop offering plant styling, installation, pop-ups and workshops. Fostering connectivity to plants in all spaces!

Podcast:

Edible Activist Podcast : Hosted by Melissa L. Jones; dynamic people of color in the food and agriculture space share personal food journeys, stories and perspectives that stem from the land.

Youtube:

@NYCplantnerd (IG) : plant vlogger and sneaker head offering straightforward indoor gardening and plant care tips.

Urban logic https://www.youtube.com/user/SuperSonicPunk

@gerards_horticulture_culture : Exotic plant collector and enthusiast. Gerard offers his quirky brand of plant care tips with jazzy beats!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFzGD3RJqK4L3YkRhSb4Yug