The Black Garden is coming along nicely. Like most things in life, when you’re planning something, it’s not always clear how things will work out. Does gardening encourage patience? Flexibility? Curiosity?

Every year, the Black Garden gets more interesting. A new black tomato is planted, some greens that were cultivated years ago come back, and the darkest, velvety edible flowers once more make an appearance.

My work has a refrain: are we deserving of beautiful and delicious food? Are we able to be anointed by our ancestors’ knowledge of growing food for centuries while discarding the horror, inhumanity, violence, and cruelty of slavery? Can growing food be a source of joy? We say yes!

Here’s a peek at this year’s bounty.