Erika Johnson founded her small business, Black + Planted, to teach Philadelphia-area citizens how to grow their own seeds and plants. Based at Illadelph Gardens, her regenerative, organic farm, she produces more than 65 varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs on less than a quarter acre. She also created the Jabali Farmer’s Market, which gathers fellow Black farmers, growers, and other small-business owners with the goal of fostering community and wellness. She provides for community food refrigerators and food pantries and, as an educator, instructs the public through her Seed, Sow, Swap curriculum. Produce and herbs are infused in her culinary product line, Five Loaves PanTree. “There is always something growing on the farm!” Johnson says. Farming comes easier at Black + Planted, she adds, thanks, in part, to a few favorite tools. Check them out in the gallery below.
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Lesche Digger (American Garden Tool Co.)
“This is one of my most used hand tools on the farm. I use this tool daily, and even the children love to see it during demonstrations. This unique, multi-use trowel is great for digging, cutting sod, weeding, trimming, and so much more. With its half-serrated edge half-knife blade, this makes managing my farm easier to prune, cut, and harvest vegetables. The offset handle helps me maintain my grip, and it comes with a protective sleeve for carrying. It's the perfect companion for the garden or farm."
"I test my soil mixtures to make sure I have the right balance of nutrients and amendments for proper growth. The soil and hydroponic four-way test kits allow me to test at my convenience on the farm and for my hydroponic garden. This allows me to amend my soil or water as needed to yield greater produce results. I get accurate results and multiple uses."
"This is one of the best irrigation systems I have found to use. It converts from spray to drip, and that is a feature that is needed to grow various types of produce and flowers. The tubing and emitters are easy to assemble with a precise connector. The timer is most important, which helps me when I'm away or out of town from the farm. My most helpful tool on the farm."
"This is my favorite multi-purpose garden hoe. As someone who looks for more ergonomic tools, the long handle with two cushion grips helps me decrease my bending over and back strain. It helps in getting rid of weeds, makes raised beds, mixes fertilizers, has sharp edges, and can be used as a rake. Even daily cleanup of patio and driveways is a plus. It penetrates soil easily and furrows deep for bulb planting. There are so many uses that multiple tools are helpful for the team on the farm."
"The three-row planter helps me decrease double seeds and has an easy-to-use metering system. It is the perfect fit for my farm rows and plants accurately. It makes seeding easier than hand sowing. Additional accessories make this planter customized to your needs."
August 29, 2024 
