Photos courtesy of Kendra Brinson-Stratton
“I’m going to be the best gardener in the world,” the ten-year-old thought as she observed her dad admiring her mom’s small garden of tomatoes and cucumbers. She knew then that gardening would play a major role in her life. So Kendra Brinson-Stratton, a self-taught gardener, finally tried her hand several years ago at planting in pots and containers — sometimes with seeds, sometimes with mature plants.
Today, her backyard is intricately landscaped. Among the Italian cypress, Japanese maples, Sky Pencils and evergreens lay a bounty of turnips, squash, cabbage, tomatoes, zucchini, Japanese eggplant, bell peppers, collard greens and edamame. The garden transforms each season, with winter being essential for the ground to rest and replenish for the growing months.
Brinson-Stratton begins her planting process shortly after Good Friday so come August, her garden is in full bloom. Initially, she was surprised that anything would grow in that area of her property — what was once a hill of red clay is now an unfurling cascade of lush vegetation.
Although not yet a fully organic gardener, Brinson-Stratton frequently uses coffee grounds, eggshells and natural fertilizer to produce the abundant bounty. Dill, cilantro, mint and cinnamon basil are also throughout her garden as these pungent herbs are known to distract pests. She insists, however, that the secret to her horn of plenty is love: “I pray over my garden and let nature take its course — plenty [of] water and sunshine.”
At times, Brinson-Stratton’s green thumb is exercised through trial and error. There will be another future attempt for growing watermelon and acorn squash, and next time, she won’t forget the potatoes — the purple majesties escaped her attention because they were underground!
Sundays at the Brinson-Stratton home is always a feast and includes fresh items from her crop. And when the harvest season is over, she draws on a supply of preserved tomatoes, peppers and collard greens packed in quart jars. Celebrating is also essential at her house. For 21 consecutive years, she’s hosted a breakfast brunch in honor of her parents and minor holidays are as festively enjoyed as the major ones. “Every day is a special occasion to me,” Brinson-Stratton says, beaming.
Early on, she decided that her son needed a full-time mother, so she left her job as an education coordinator at South Carolina First Steps and took a leap that changed her life. “Every day I’m going to give it [the best] shot,” she says. Caring for her husband, Reece, and teenage son, Brandon, is not only her priority but also her joy. “I got what I prayed for. I’m living the happy wife life and I have not looked back.” And, of course, dinner is a time to enjoy her daily hard work — salads with vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumbers and romaine lettuce in the summer months; cabbage, kale and turnips in the fall, and preserved hot pepper jellies for the winter.
A native of Augusta, Brinson-Stratton never thought she would own property in Jefferson County, the place where she played as a child. So, after the pandemic, she replicated the bounty of her home garden on more than three acres of what is now named “The Giving Garden.” Home-grown tomatoes, eggplant, bunches of cabbage and collards, lettuce and a variety of peppers can be found at her micro farm.
Also, her love for gardening is altruistic as much of the harvest is distributed to senior citizens at no cost. “Selling the produce is not an option,” she says. Because of her generosity, family members who are shut-in and some senior members of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (where her grandparents were members and where she and her parents currently worship) are recipients of The Giving Garden.
Brinson-Stratton describes herself as the melanated gardener. When asked about the significance and meaning, she explains, “I am a woman of color who loves to plant and grow food. My goal is to inspire others to be strong in their faith and take pride in their home and family.”
A modern-day renaissance woman, Brinson-Stratton is not offended by the term “homemaker”— neither is it a foregone lifestyle in her opinion. She makes her laundry detergent, and her homemade cough syrup is ready to soothe the scratchiest throat. Sure, she can purchase these items commercially, however, she takes pleasure in being creative … adding that special touch that makes her house her home.
Brinson-Stratton and her husband also have a deep appreciation for the outdoors. They have visited 42 national parks with eight more to go to reach their goal of 50. Her favorite is the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, and others such as Joshua Tree, White Sands and Mesa Verde.
The Melanated Gardener’s Summer Tonic is a tasty, refreshing, healthy beverage using ingredients that enhance digestion, reduce inflammation and increase energy levels. Enjoy!
Summer Tonic
Yield: 4 eight-ounce glasses1 1/2 lbs fresh kale
4 English cucumbers
6 Fuji apples
3 lemons
Juice all ingredients in a Nutribullet and serve immediately.
For more recipes and information, visit her on Facebook (Kendra Brinson-Stratton), Instagram (the_happy_wife_life), TikTok and YouTube.
Seen in the 2024 June/July issue of Augusta magazine
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