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Kwanzaa In A Community Garden

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Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, culture, and community.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration in the African American community. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor, and scholar created this to honor our roots. Like a tree, our roots are the foundation of our existence. Growing up in Washington, DC, I rememberlearning about the basic principles that are key to this celebration in school. We drafted reports about it and knew exactly what each day meant. It is a widespread practice to share Kwanzaa celebrations at home in the African American Community.

As Mr. Anthony Brooks and I, co-chair of the Fiesta PlaceCommunity Garden, we noticed these principles are a part of the garden. The founder, Deborah Turner, has grown Fiesta Place Community Garden from an unused street to a place where like-minded gardeners meet, grow, and share. Deborah has chosen to pass the baton on to keep the garden growing. We are excited abut the possibilities as we continue to grow an engaged community.

As we focus on building positive communities it is important for community engagement, corporate involvement, and uplifting of our youth. Utilizing these seven principles in everyday life is very much like gardening. Each principle
is like a seed. Each seed has a specific purpose for building strong communities. If you are not familiar with the seven principles of Kwanzaa, allow me to share.

Day 1 – Umoja (Unity)

This principle has already taken root. A united group of community members have built beds, put together a shed, and maintained the dream of future expansion. Dr. Karenga would be proud that the seed of unity within the community is already taking root.

Day 2 – Kujichagulia (Self-determination)

Over the past ten-plus years, there has been a dedicated effort to encourage growing a gardening community. Working with the Neighborhood Design Center to produce a conceptual plan was important. The determination to explore the right plan, bringing the community together continues to be important to the residents of
District Heights.

Day 3 – Ujima (Collective work and responsibility)

As of 2022, there is a new team in place to sow more seeds and try new things as we collectively work and share the responsibility of the Fiesta Place Community Garden. We want our community residents to connect and share, become
active in the garden, as we grow.

Day 4 – Ujamaa (Cooperative economics)

Efforts to uplift a community create a more cohesive community. Helping grow the next generation of gardeners who might consider agriculture, floriculture, or other green industry jobs is important. Everyone does not want to be a
vegetable farmer and we need to realize that. Sharing ways to re-consider a skill or trade might open a new perspective on growing vegetables and more.

Day 5 – Nia (Purpose)

One might ask, what is the purpose of having a community garden? Simply stated, to bring people together, create an outdoor space for positive activities that embrace all the community. There was a time where people bartered with each other. One household grew tomatoes. A neighbor down the street would grow peppers. Families often traded their harvests. The food we grew was not just for our households. It was crucial to the health of the community. Teaching each other how to cook, preserve, and create, came naturally. The mindset of treating the community like family continues today.

Day 6 – Kuumba (Creativity)

This is one principle of Kwanzaa that I hold close to my heart. Dr. Karenga considered it a call to action. He challenges us to use our creativity. Our goal is to grow a community space we can be proud of. It will be beneficial to our mental health and beautiful as well. By incorporating creative programming, more community outreach, and conversation – Fiesta Place Community Garden will continue to grow.

Day 7 – Imani (Faith)

Our community has had its difficulties. Through it all, the Fiesta Place Community Garden has survived. The Fiesta Place Community Garden is a space for activities, peace, and community healing. The faith of those who have supported
this project has never wavered. It is faith that will help us continue to grow this community legacy of love.

The Fiesta Place Community Garden uses the seven principles of Kwanzaa to build a better community. Celebrating Kwanzaa is like tending a garden. We need to cultivate and fertilize these principles as often as possible. Creating a
place that is good for positive mental stimulation has proven to build communities. The garden should always feed the mind, body, ad soul. The Fiesta Place Garden has a purpose in District Heights. Our purpose will continue to embrace and share with each other, as we grow.

Growing better communities are more important now than ever. It does not have to be a community garden. When creating a garden there are several basic steps. Choosing your community is like selecting the site. Preparing a fertile
environment is the second step. Including input from the community are the soil amendments. Sowing a positive seed and watching it grow is where the fun begins.

It is a process, which is not always easy. As the seed breaks dormancy and growth becomes visible, the community will come. As they become more involved, it is like cultivating the earth. Consistent involvement of an engaged community will help build a solid foundation. Fertilization is offering opportunities for community involvement. Holding space for the talented among us to share will support communal growth.

Establishing a community that creates positive engagements is something that we are all responsible for. As the world continues to change, the conversations are changing as well. Our communities look different. Keeping harmony in the
community involves inclusion, equity, and embracing diversity.

Whether you practice Kwanzaa or not, consider the principles. Imagine sowing them into the soil of your community. Observe the growth that takes place. It starts with one person noticing a need and providing a positive environment for growth. Small steps can make a significant difference. If we do not create livable, thriving communities now, when will we?

Kwanzaa celebrations begin the day after Christmas and continue for seven days. This does not mean we stop
embracing the basic principles. It should mean that we incorporate them as a part of daily living. In doing so, each day presents the opportunity of building a positive community. Like a garden, fertile soil always produces a beautiful harvest. 

Do you celebrate building community as you acknowledge your ancestral roots? Is creating a beautiful community where everyone plays a role important?

The anticipation of continuing to practice the seven principles of Kwanzaa daily brings me joy. I am excited about creating positive change at Fiesta Place Community Gardens and growing a better community.

Looking for my cool season seeds and dreaming of 2022! 

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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National Public Gardens – Thank You

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National Public Gardens Week as we practice social distancing is more important this year than ever!

Did you know that National Public Gardens Week started May 8th and will end May 17th?? Although this is the week designated to celebrate our Public Gardens nationwide, we can celebrate this week as long as we want!

PURPOSE IN THE MIDST OF THE MADNESS

Right now, many of us are longing to stroll in the Public Gardens that are familiar to us. Due to the ongoing health crisis, many have shuttered their doors and locked their gates. This is for the safety of the general public…it does not mean that they are closed. You see, man cannot shutdown beauty! The garden draws us in. Creative methods encourage participation from afar, not distancing us from engaging with nature.

Many of the National Public Gardens have found a way to share. They are sharing to keep us sane. During this time of unintentional pausing, our National Public Gardens continue to show us how important they are.

Tired of looking at your four walls? Your garden needs a lift, but you have no idea of what plant will tickle your fancy? Haven’t a clue about what is blooming outside of your own back forty? Need some inspiration? Log on and check out how some of the National Public Gardens share craft ideas, coloring book pages, lectures, and more!

ADVENTURES WITHOUT LUGGAGE

National Public Gardens take us away. Sometimes it is to visit local greenspaces, while some gardens might not be so local. Imagine attending a walking tour at Bellevue Botanical Gardens. You could revisit as many times as you want and watch a new season evolve…all without a security check. This is called an armchair adventure.

Did you know you could follow the Madison Square Park Conservancy in New York via Instagram? They have a Summer Global Arts display that is quite intriguing. You can even ask questions, which they are more than happy to answer.

Calling all Snow Birds!! Not able to escape to Florida this year?? No worries!! Naples Botanical Garden wants to connect with you!! They miss you! Click here to see all the fun they have lined up – sunscreen not required!

American Public Gardens has a listing that will keep you entertained all yearlong even after we can move about freely!!

DREAMING OF BEAUTY…LOCALLY

One local National Public Garden is the United States Botanic Gardens. One of my favorite National Public Gardens in my own neck of the woods. I could hide out here all year long.

Did you know the Smithsonian Gardens include 12 unique gardens to explore and enjoy?? If you follow me on Instagram (@cottageincourt), I stalk the United States Botanic Gardens. There is always something to catch my eye, which is visible from the street.

Some days, no matter how bad I try to rush home, the gardens call my name. To be honest, it is the perfect place to restore my mind, refurbish my soul, and reset my disposition after a long day in the office. I am so thankful for all of our National Public Gardens as they lift our spirits, creating opportunities to escape from the madness, and for inspiring each of us to be better gardeners.

If you want to learn more about the Smithsonian Gardens, I highly recommend a wonderfully written book. A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens by Carole Ottesen. Exploring the Smithsonian from the outside adds value to visiting the museums. L’Enfant’s design and plan for Washington D.C. were to include monumental buildings with beautiful gardens. As we know the buildings are exquisite. However, the gardens were slowly created over time, due to funding. Most of the gardens flank the National Mall.

Andrew Jackson Downing, a landscape designer, did not embrace the thought process of Mr. L’enfant’s initial plan. Mr. Downing, instead, designed four public garden rooms, which would resemble a living tree and shrub museum.

This plan was shelved as the Civil War took precedence, over all things beautiful. There were other ideas that slowly became a reality as more museums were built, with some including unique gardens.

CONSTITUTION GARDENS…EVER CLOSE TO MY HEART

With support from public and private donations, Constitution Gardens will be the perfect place to gather.

Constitution Gardens is one garden that never became a reality. Thanks to the efforts of the Trust for the National Mall, one day this will be not just a beautiful garden. With not just a garden, but planned concessions stands, a restaurant, and more, Constitution Gardens will also be a place to gather. Redesigned and embracing sustainability, Constitution Gardens needs to be a part of the dream fulfilled. To find out how to support this effort click here

THANK YOU

National Public Gardens can be found right at your fingertips.

My hope is that no matter where you are, a visit to a National Public Garden is in your future. Right now, most can be found right at your fingertips. Many are offering mini visits, little known backstories, discounts on membership, as well as presenting information on what to expect when a visit is possible. Should you visit a National Public Garden, make sure to say Thank You for inspiring, educating, and being!

Waiting to visit National Public Gardens later this year…

Dreaming of re-entry to the gardens at the United States Botanic Gardens…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Culture and Diversity -Between Harlem and Heaven

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Culture is all up in the foods we have grown to love. This book tells a story that will have you growing fresh vegetables just to try the recipes!

Culture is celebrated as we experience new foods, as well as ways to cook. Figuring out what to try in our gardens can be defined by the foods we are familiar with or something new we want to try. The Afro-Asian American style of cooking is shared between the pages of a wonderful book.

Between Harlem and Heaven – Afro Asian American Cooking for Big Nights, Weekends, and Every Day by J.J. Johnson and Alexander Smalls with Veronica Chambers. Not really a cookbook, but a story of a collaboration of two men who enjoy ethnic cuisine. Two restaurants in Harlem celebrate this story, Minton’s and The Cecil.

BIRTH OF A BOOK

Alexander Smalls is a one-man novel. A former acclaimed opera superstar, as well as an accomplished Chef, can add Food Genius to his repertoire. My head simply spins as he shares tales of his youth in South Carolina and New York. Balancing time with his West African grandfather in the garden, as well as time with family in New York, has created quite a successful man.

Mr. Smalls is on a mission to document the diversity found in the kitchen. In Africa, China, Brazil, the Caribbean, Europe as well as America, culture, and food play a role in our lives today. Finding the right Chef to collaborate on this story and write this book was important. Joining forces with Chef J.J.Johnson, these men wowed Harlem with not one, but two award-winning restaurants.

The jazz-themed restaurant, Minton’s is a Harlem landmark. This former hotel turned bar is where bebop was born. Many African American musicians entertained the crowds and were regular patrons as well. Minton’s Playhouse offers a real jazz experience on stage, which enhances the menu items offered. The Cecil features a more diverse menu based on the Afro-Asian-American style of cooking.

J.J. Johnson grew up in the kitchen where his Puerto Rican Grandmother unknowingly directed his path towards the culinary arts. The sights, taste, and scents he experienced on a trip to Ghana brought back many memories. On this journey with Alexander Smalls, J.J. connected with the culture and history of his lineage. J.J. describes this cookbook as a “choose your own adventure” book. These two Chefs suggest the readers try the sauces on different things. Use the recipes by adding a little here as you change things along the way – in essence, cook your own way.

SALADS

The first chapter has some delectable takes on refreshing salads using many items that can be grown at home. From the Daikon Radish Salad to the Harlem Market salad, my tastebuds danced at the thought of the taste. I dreamt of what I could grow in my garden to authenticate the taste experience. J.J. recommended trying the Mother Africa Sauce on just about anything. Let me tell you, it was quite delicious over steamed squash with brown rice.

MEAT AND POULTRY

Culture meets the soul when cooking Afro-Asian-American Gumbo. No matter what culture you embrace, this dish awakens the readers tastebuds on an International level. Imagine using homegrown oregano, thyme, bay laurel, or garlic to make the Gumbo Spice mix.

SO MUCH MORE…

From Hibiscus syrup to the history lesson tracing the journey which introduced Chinese food to Harlem, this book makes you hungry for more. Not just a cookbook, the importance of culture, and how it affects our foodways is important. Afro-Asian American food has a tendency to create conversation, as well as the discovery of the things from our culinary familiar.

There are more chapters with tasty recipes to try. As I embrace my culture, Between Harlem and Heaven will provide ideas to make this a journey to remember.

As the season for gardening is within reach, I highly recommend this book. Try to grow an ingredient from a recipe, harvest it when the time is right, and use it to enhance the recipes in this book.

Planting seeds for the Apple Cider Glazed Brussel Sprouts (page 208)…yummy!

Teri, (gardening with a passion) Cottage In The Court

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Jubilee – Food, History, and Family

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Jubilee – Recipes From Two Generations Of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton -Martin

Jubilee – Recipes From Two centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin was the perfect book to celebrate family, food, and history for Thanksgiving.

Toni Tipton-Martin writes cookbooks that have added value. The Jemima Code – Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin, is also in the kitchen at The Cottage In The Court. This book had me mesmerized and intrigued. Trying to convince my non-minority peers of this is often an uphill battle. Reflecting on the great pot of greens that someone of color shared with them is a lifelong memory. The importance of these books for those who cook and those in the gardening community is significant. Both of these books serve as an educational tool for everyone. Cookbooks that share how and why we cook the way we do prove #wegrowmorethancollards.

This year, Thanksgiving was at The Cottage. I cooked two dishes from Jubilee as a treat to my family with a twist. Growing up, cooking from scratch was the norm. As I began to experiment with cooking on my own, Mom encouraged the use of different recipes. I chose baking cookies at Christmas as my signature experiment.

Grandpa Herron, my Mom’s father, would visit on Christmas eve to pick up the cookies and deliver to my Mother’s sister’s in Washington, DC. I remember carefully choosing the recipes from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. My parents subscribed to this cookbook club to encourage my efforts in cooking. I read these cookbooks cover to cover. Memorizing recipes in case the books would stop coming became a hobby. I knew we could not afford them, it was a splurge.

I can’t say Thank You enough to my parents for encouraging each of us to pursue our passions. My youngest grandson has become the brownie expert – which to me shows that he has an interest in cooking …not just eating.

BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH

Jubilee Baking Powder biscuits page 85. Cutting in the chilled shortening bits by hand…the way I am used to.

The first recipe I chose from this wonderful book Jubilee was on page 85, Baking Powder Biscuits. I showed Terreance how to measure the flour, whisk in the salt and baking powder, cut in the chilled shortening and knead the dough. Kneading is an art form. 8 to 10 times like Chef Edna Lewis was my choice per the recipe. To use a recipe from James Beard Award-winners like Toni Tipton-Martin and Chef Edna Lewis was an honor.

8 to 10 times ONLY was the recommended amount of time to knead the dough before cutting into biscuits. To shape the biscuits, I used the rim of a glass, just like my Mom.

I was so emotionally full after making these biscuits for my family. It took me back to my youth watching my Mom cook the only way she knew how…from scratch.

MACARONI AND CHEESE MY WAY

The Baked Macaroni and Cheese, page 177, was my second act. Holidays at the Speight household were special. The excuse to buy all the ingredients for the Macaroni and Cheese. This was a big deal for our family. Mom was a stay at home parent whose job was to raise us right. Dad went to work and Washington Bible College as he pursued his passion to become a Minister. Purchasing large quantities of cheese was a holiday event and quite the splurge. Somehow, they made it happen every single holiday.

To ease my guilt, I used pumpkin-shaped vegetable pasta made with beets, spinach, and tomatoes. There are three layers of cheese, pasta, sour cream…page 177.

Did you know James Hemmings cooked “Nouilles a maccaroni’ for Thomas Jefferson? Found in some of the notes Mr. Hemmings left behind, I think he put his thumb in it. Historical documents show in 1802, this dish was served at a White House dinner. Toni Tipton-Martin has included tidbits like this throughout Jubilee.

Ready for the oven, I heeded the warning of placing it on a pan to catch any juices that would bubble out of the pan. I cannot share with you how delicious this was! I used extra sharp cheese on top…like Mom would.

Sharing family, history, and food at any time of the year is a very important part of my world. Each of us can find familiar dishes from the African America community somewhere in the pages of this book. Memories of the Maque Choux, my South Carolinian grandma cooked to the Country Style Potato salad from my North Carolinian Grandma. I found my roots in this book.

GIFTING HERITAGE AND HISTORY

Need a gift to self to share a bit of knowledge at the next holiday celebration or Sunday dinner? Planning what to grow in next year’s garden? Jubilee – Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin is a great book to have in your kitchen. This book would be a great gift of knowledge for today’s youth.

By the way, we had collards with shallots and garlic from my garden…mmm…good! Afterall…#wegrowmorethancollards!

Making memories,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Need this book, click here

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Lee May – Gardener Gone Too Soon

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Lee May, Author, Storyteller, Journalist, an African-American Garden Writer to be proud of…and a gardener gone too soon.

Gardener gone too soon can be applied to many of our Elders who taught us the joy of gardening. Whether it was a parent, a grandparent, a neighbor or friend, the gift of gardening continues to bring us joy. A gift given to me by a gardener I never met was from Lee May.

Lee May is missed in my world of garden writers. This “evolved” man of the garden, Lee May wrote in a way that stirred my soul. I consider him to this day, an absentee mentor. You see, the time to meet him was suggested, but unfortunately, not part of our journey.  Lee and is wife were in the middle of moving back to Georgia from Connecticut. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with him the season before he transitioned to a bigger and better garden.  At the time, I had just begun to find my voice to share my garden experiences. As I began to do research about African-American garden writers, his name kept popping up. Conjuring up the nerve to email him and ask to speak to him about garden writing as an African-American was difficult.

Relating to him via his first book, IN MY FATHERS GARDEN, I understood how he needed to curate a unique relationship with his Dad. Lee’s parents divorced and he had a great relationship with his step father. Not really knowing his birth father, a job transfer gave him the opportunity to reach out. Their connection evolved as they spent time with his father in his father’s garden.

Sharing his life experiences and how gardening helped him center himself was a position that many might find themselves in. Gardening tends to capture a middle age audience after life h as presented its many challenges. His walks and talks, as well as the life lessons his father imparted to him, stuck with him as wisdom from the elders.

Lee shared an experience at a well-known garden center here in the Washington, DC area.  Lee and Lyn discussed how seldom they encountered another African-American the garden centers. Upon noticing another African-American male shopping for plants, there was this unspoken nod as they chatted a conversation about Japanese maples. A common occurrence when African-Americans embrace the presence of each other, in a setting where we are not commonly found.

In 1992, Lee had the opportunity to become the Editor for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. After taking the job, Lee figured out that editing  did not suit his need. As a journalist  who had covered politics, been in foreign countries and used to uncovering the story, he began to write about food and gardening. As his job entailed traveling, Lee carried a vase in his suitcase to always have flowers in his presence. Lee had houseplants galore and was honing his skills as an outdoor garden aficionado.

Developing his skill as a garden writer enhanced his relationship with his Dad. Over time spent with his Dad, Lee realized that gardening made him whole. While his father asked him “What are you growing to eat this year?” Lee was not thinking about growing food. Unlike most African-Americans who grew vegetables as a way of making ends meet and feeding their families, this was not Lee’s mindset. This was truly a moment where the defining factors of generational differences as well as economics were brought to light.

Lee May grew to have the beauty of the garden surrounding him. For an African-American to garden for pleasure was simply not the norm. Eventually adding vegetables to his repertoire, Lee valued the suggestions his Dad shared with him even as he no longer gardened. The lessons from his father stuck with him for the rest of his life.

In his second book, GARDENING LIFE, Lee really helped me realize it was okay to write like I think. In January , 1995, Lee wrote

“ But no matter how big it gets, my garden gets no work from me this time of the year. I will not even rake the leaves. The woods don’t get raked, do they?”

This was his thought process in the midst of winter when most people are not thinking about the garden. Yet he wrote about anticipating the next season. Lee May was not just a journalist and a gardener, but a storyteller. He shared stories of seasonal change, conversations with strangers on gardening as well as people who became friends – all from gardening.

One story that I found meaningful was the chapter on The Amazing Graces. Two aging women, one African-American and the other white, had developed a lifelong friendship via the garden. Their yards mimicked each other with similar plants shared from cuttings and divisions. Neither women could figure out why there was such divisiveness between the races. Their friendship was colorblind in spite of the times in 1995.

One bit of wisdom that Lee kept close to his heart were words shared by his father, Ples…“It’s a risky run any way you go. Always be prepared to go back over it again if you mess up; if you fail, just plant again.” – January 7, 1994

Lee May is a gardener gone too soon. An African-American man who had no hesitation answering my call and saying yes when asked to visit my little garden in District Heights, Maryland. A gardener who shared my love of Coppola Claret in the  garden at dusk. Although he never made it due to his health, this man has certainly played a role in my life as a gardener, a garden writer and a proud African-American woman who writes like I think about the garden.

In the garden,

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