GREEN DREAMS

Third-generation farmer and inner-city horticulturist ASHLEIGH MACHETE – aka Joburg Ash – explains how his fascination with plants developed, and how it has brought him to where he is today.

For as long as I can remember, environmental awareness has been part of my life. I volunteered with many environmental organisations from my primary school days to university, and an issue that caught my attention early on was the loss of green open spaces (and the biodiversity of our precious wetlands) due to the rapid expansion of infrastructure for housing and commerce. I witnessed this first-hand as construction happened in Protea Glen, a growing development on the outskirts of Soweto, next to where I grew up. I saw the impact it had on the plant life and the environment as the neighbourhood expanded, quickly swallowing up the once-sprawling green spaces. Populations of indigenous plants in the area sharply declined, and the impact of habitat loss on the fauna of our local wetlands was clear for all to see.

Balancing the human need for infrastructure with the natural world is challenging, but we need to consider the effect that the expansion of urban areas has on the environment, and try to implement solutions to preserve our plant life. Realising this led me to understand how important the green spaces we create in our homes and gardens are, and the positive impact they can have.

My gardening business, Jozi Food Farmer (JFF), emerged from a personal need to be around plants and in close proximity to nature – and from wanting to have access to freshly grown food while living and working in the Johannesburg CBD. But as JFF has grown and developed, I now feel it fits within the greater and far more urgent mission to do work that will help preserve and protect the environment. We design and install small city gardens, which range from residential backyard gardens, balconies and patios to rooftop farms, office and restaurant interior gardens, and alleyway gardens. JFF has also opened the JFF Rooftop Farm, a rooftop plant nursery and café situated in the heart of Braamfontein at 70 Juta Street. And JFF Plant Shop – a more boutique shopping experience situated at 44 Stanley in Milpark – specialises specifically in indigenous and tropical house plants, as well as gardening accessories.

I’m really pleased that both the Rooftop Farm and the Plant Shop have become regular haunts for plant enthusiasts – places where they can meet other plant lovers, pick up rare and unusual plants, and have a coffee while enjoying beautiful green views in the heart of Johannesburg. The green oasis that is JFF Rooftop Farm has also become a favourite photoshoot location because of its backdrop of greenery among the grey city buildings.

I’m such a fan of the infinite variety of shades of green that are available for me to work with. When designing and installing gardens, I try to create harmonious colour schemes by incorporating different greens, ranging from the palest sea-foam to the deepest moss. Outdoor spaces can be particularly fun to landscape – there are plants in every hue and for every season, so the possibilities and combinations are endless.

Plants unite people, and constantly provide links between strangers. I enjoy the way plants have opened up my own community, and that they are a common interest among people from different cultural backgrounds. May the magic of plants continue to inspire us all.

I’M SUCH A FAN OF THE INFINITE VARIETY OF SHADES OF GREEN THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME

TO WORK WITH.