Today like so many others in Atlanta and around th

Today like so many others in Atlanta and around the world, I grieve the passing of civil rights legend Rev. Joseph Lowery. Of course, I have memories of what a giant of social change he was. However, would you believe my most vivid memories of him were funny ones?!...
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Growing up in Atlanta I got my hair done by Debbie @mamazuko at the Auburn Avenue Barber & Beauty Shop. Every two weeks Rev. Lowery would walk in (he was super handsome in person) speak to the ladies first, then get his hair cut. He would sit in that chair and talk trash and tell jokes with Mr. Jay his barber (who acted and looked just like the barber in Coming to America 😩); Pig (the owner of the building who took crap from no one) and all the other old heads and characters that would constantly stop in. And by characters I mean: street criminals, addicts, hustlers, PhD’s, gay, straight, trans, teachers, nurses, business people (you get the picture) everybody came through those doors. He treated us all the same and cut up with the best of them lol! It was a riot up in that building and I loved it.
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With all the monumental change he created in the world and the indelible legacy he leaves, at the end of the day Rev. Lowery was still a cool dude from Atlanta with a killer sense of humor that could crack a joke with the best of them. He will be missed ❤️🙏🏾

My sister and fellow horticulturist @wambuilovespl

My sister and fellow horticulturist @wambuilovesplants sent me this picture and my jaw dropped—literally. It is something I have waited yearzzzz to see. I read about the legendary flower sellers in Washington D.C. and had never seen a picture of what they looked like--until now! Today we call these women (and men) Flower Farmers. Type Flower Farmer into Google images and tell me how many black women you see. I'll wait......
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This picture is from June 1870 (spoiler alert y'all--we ain't new to this!) The ladies appearance marked the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C. long before the famed cherry blossoms. (If you have followed me long enough you know we can thank an African-American botanist, Roland Jefferson for saving those trees too!)
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Flower sellers, sometimes called peddlers or vendors, grew flowers on their rural land and brought them into cities like D.C., Richmond, Memphis, and to this day Charleston. These women represent so much more to me then spring. They represent resilience, direction, and purpose. The rough path I've walked for 20 years as a horticulturist has long been laid with beautiful flower petals. And these are the women I get to thank. The original Flower Farmers. (and thank you Wambui ❤️)
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#ConquerTheSoil #FlowerFarmer #TrueToThis #Flowers #GardenHistory #BlackHistory

“Although this futuristic survival kit may seem

“Although this futuristic survival kit may seem a bit extreme for right now, it also has current practical applications. If someone had difficulties breathing, they may be able to use this in order to be able to breathe more freely.” And to think this was written just seven years ago...
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Back in 2013 Chiu Chih, a fictional reality designer from Taiwan, created this backpack with a plant in it after realizing a lack of breathable air may be the first problem we face if the apocalypse ever were to happen. Trend Hunter even labeled it “Futuristic Planet Couture.” Flash forward to 2020. Chiu Chih is a designer certainly ahead of their time.
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(Photo credits: @designboom @chiu.chih @trend_hunter )
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#ConquerTheSoil #Plants #PlantCouture

Things are tough right now but if we dig deep we c

Things are tough right now but if we dig deep we can still find a way to make a joyful noise! And why is that you say? Like to hear it, here it go...
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Besides being the Queen of Gospel and one of the most celebrated singers in the world, our good sis Mahalia Jackson also found time to conquer the soil! An astute business woman Mrs. Jackson owned a lucrative floral shop “Mahalia’s House of Flowers” on the South Side of Chicago. Clients bought the flowers as long as she promised to sing at funerals and Mahalia Jackson happily obliged them 🌹🌹🌹
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Video repost of “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning” performance from @mahaliajacksonfans
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#ConquerTheSoil #Floral #FlowerPower #MahaliaJackson #GardenHistory

Ain’t no flamingo’s on the lawn around here bébé. Yard art—but make it sheep.
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#ConquerTheSoil #Sheep #YardArt #Chenonceaux

Happy Valentine’s Day from the love gardens at V

Happy Valentine’s Day from the love gardens at Villandry! Sound up to learn the 4 types of love stories represented here:
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*True love ❤️
*Heartbreak 💔
*Fleeting love 🦋🎭
*and last but not least dem daggers—killa love🔪🩸👀
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#ConquerTheSoil #ChateauVillandry #FollowTheFollows #Love

When your man posting pics like he single but you

When your man posting pics like he single but you got the receipts showing y’all boo’d up 👩🏾‍💻
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#ConquerTheSoil #FollowTheFellows #GardenSculpture
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(“Creative thought” stone and sandstone sculpture by Emmanuel Sellier)

. Dear My Fave City Farmers, . I saw these “floa

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Dear My Fave City Farmers,
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I saw these “floating” stands today and it made me think of you. Though empty now, in the warm season they are filled with planted containers. Essentially a raised garden in a staggered formation. Also a very nice vertical element for a small outdoor space to maximize use (and lift the eye for added interest!) I know how creative and capable you are as designers and swag things out in your own way 😎
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I’ll send other notes in the precious moments I have wifi. Believe me when I say I’m out in the boonies like fr fr @gratitudebotanicalfarm @OutdoorFreshFarm @soulspiritfarmers @missus_howell
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With ❤️ from Villandry,
Abra
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#conquerthesoil #followthefellows #verticalgarden

When your conquer the soil game is worldwide! For

When your conquer the soil game is worldwide! For the next two months I’m at le Château & Jardins de Villandry @chateauvillandry in the Loire Valley of France. This tool is called a Grelinette and I am using it to aerate the soil of Villandry’s famed potager’s (vegetable gardens.) Swipe to see the castle and an up close pic of the grelinette.
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Thank you no IG Thomas (one my new colleagues) for the video and commentary “Abra, smile!” 😎🇫🇷
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#FollowTheFellows #Grelinette #GardenTools #ConquerTheSoil #LongwoodFellows

. Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha You never

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Remember Rappin' Duke?
Duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip-hop would
take it this far!!!
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Because hip-hop + houseplants is always a good lewk 🌱💚😎 I am so here for @myfabolouslife and his pothos x football hanging basket on this Superbowl Sunday (pic by the super cool @bodega.rose)
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#ConquerTheSoil #Pothos #Houseplants #HipHop

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