We were waiting for our flight out to California and having a few minutes free, I decided to check the offerings at the airport bookstore. Often, a few new popular reads are tucked in between the usual fare.
I was not disappointed! Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden caught my eye and after taking a photo of the cover, I had to wait another two weeks before checking it out of our local library. It was
definitely worth the wait.

Poet, professor, neighbor, daughter, wife, mother, and gardener Camille Dungy vulnerably reflects upon her life as she is settling into her new home and neighborhood in a predominately white town in Colorado.
Her desire to create a native species garden, rich in diversity and in service to the local wildlife, leads her on a journey of discovery that takes her beyond her backyard. Weaving between the descriptive development of her family garden, Dungy ponders her ancestral roots, her exposure to gardening during her childhood and university years, and the stories shared by her parents’ experiences as avid gardeners. She grows to recognize the significance of building local relationships with those who share a passion for gardening, exchanging advice as well as seeds. As the small city rapidly expands in size and development, Dungy witnesses how quickly the geographic landscape/environment is challenged, often with serious consequences.

The author’s observations and ponderings move her to become more knowledgeable about and involved with environmental justice. She points out the lack of black voices in the movement, voices that perhaps
are overlooked or worse, ignored. Community interdependence and political involvement is recognized by the author as vital to any justice movement. All voices are important and need to be listened to. For
Dungy, ultimately, it is not enough to focus solely on one’s own plot of land. Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden was a challenging and stimulating read for me. I loved learning how Dungy’s garden took shape, appropriate for the particular climate of her area. Patience was key along with a willingness to fail at times. The learning curve was steep! The author’s vulnerable sharing also reminded me that there are different seasons in life; the time available for undertaking a new approach to gardening varies on realistic factors like motherhood, work hours, health, and resources.

Clearly, a collective approach to gardening with environmental justice issues in mind is more sustainable with the ebb and flow of life’s realities. That is what we are learning in our neighborhood as some of us
work together to create gardens that are sustainable and beautiful.

Mary Charnley, August 27, 2024

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