When Harry and Sally created goodwill
CRAIGHALL PARK - Pam Klette's wants more people to create pavement gardens to make a difference in the community.
If you have ever driven along Rutland Avenue in Craighall Park, you would have probably noticed two scarecrows, Harry and Sally, which point to fresh vegetables grown on the pavement of Amanzi Guesthouse.
The scarecrows, however, bear signs saying ‘take what you can pick but leave some for your brother and sisters.’Amanzi Guesthouse owner, Pam Klette said, “I started this concept about three years ago when my pavement was dug up for the installation of fibre optic cables. So I said why not make lemonade out of lemons and I started the garden. I started small with some spinach, tomatoes and morogo (wild spinach),” said Klette.
She has since expanded the range of vegetables by adding cabbage, green beans and aubergine, adding that her aim is not only to feed as many people as possible but also to create a community. Klette shared that she plans on keeping the garden going for as long as she possibly can.
“Having a garden does not only mean giving back, it’s creating more goodwill between people of different cultures,” she said.
When asked about what keeps her wanting to plant more and more, even in the winter, she replied that it is the stories and journeys which she learns about from the different people who come and take vegetables.
“It warms my heart hearing their stories. A guy came running towards me waving a big bunch of spinach in his hand, thanking me. I said to him that he hadn’t left any for his brother and sisters, to which he said he is taking it home to them. That’s why I encourage more people to have pavement gardens, to help.”
Klette keeps her garden inexpensive to maintain by making her own compost and making sure that birds don’t eat her tomatoes by hanging old CDs up so the light reflected from them keeps the birds away. Another way she makes sure her vegetables grow and are safe is by using old milk bottles and cutting holes in them; this way she is able to ensure fertiliser reaches the roots of the vegetable.
“Start as big or as small as you like, but start. Use your pavements for vegetables, why wouldn’t you use it? My gardener is amazing and would be able to help anyone wanting to start a garden and make a difference.”
Details: info@amaziguesthouse.co.za
