Henle Gardens is a lavender farm and garden business that resides on a stunning 17 acres just on the outskirts of Maldon, and its blossoming life sprung from a brush with death. Just three years ago, farm founder Joshua Ruff peered beyond the veil of mortality and returned with some hard-to-come-by wisdom.
Joshua lives with a genetic condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and, as a 26-year-old, suffered a cardiac arrest on the side of a road. In a fortunate twist of fate, the event was witnessed by some off-duty paramedics who attended to the emergency. Though Joshua clinically died, he was revived and placed into a coma. For the next three months, while recovering in hospital, Joshua designed a new life, a family home and the business of his dreams.
It was a difficult time for Joshua’s close-knit family. One of six, his siblings and mother say the event brought them closer together, and from the trial came the dream that ignited a family vision. Now just 30 years old, Joshua credits the near-death experience with completely changing his outlook on life. “It was a pretty instant transformation. I realised that human connection was everything, and anything else doesn’t matter too much,” Joshua said.
The name for the gardens, Henle, is Joshua’s nana’s maiden name and serves as a tribute to her. “My nana and I had a close relationship, and we shared a love of gardening. She was a large influence in my life,” Joshua said. Many of his best childhood memories were spent in the garden, and it was also a place where he had some autonomy. “My mum and nana would let me choose what to plant and where to plant it,” he said.
Joshua’s newfound perspective wasn’t easy to come by. “For many years, I allowed my condition to dictate my goals in life. I didn’t want any extra attention, and I used to bury a lot of feelings,” he said. Now with a renewed sense of purpose, Joshua finds it liberating, to be more open about his journey. “I want to provide a business and lifestyle for my family that will continue to exist when I am no longer here,” Joshua said.
A lot has been achieved at Henle Gardens in a very short period of time. In 2017, the farm on the outskirts of Maldon was “nothing but bush and blackberry,” Joshua’s youngest brother Tim said. By 2019, the solar passive home that Joshua designed from his hospital bed was built. “I blame Grand Designs for planting that seed,” he says with a smile.
Lavender was chosen as a crop that would grow well in Maldon’s climate. The soil is being regenerated following the principles of a natural farming philosophy called the Fukuoka Method, and the farm will seek organic certification. Set to grow nine different varieties of lavender, some of them culinary varieties, local restaurants and businesses are coming on board to support the business.
Joshua’s little brother Sam just turned 20, and he didn’t mind missing some school to help get the family business up and running. With his own interests and skills, he’s keen to set up a distilling arm to the business, making essential oils and, perhaps, botanical-infused spirits.
With plans to build a workshop space, accommodation and a farm-to-plate café, the family business is just beginning the venture of a lifetime. Over the next few years, Joshua hopes to expand the farm’s reach to include a social enterprise. “I want this to be an accessible place, a place where anyone living with a disability and struggling can feel welcome and perhaps learn some new skills.”
In the meantime, the once timid young man is even practising his public speaking skills to keep challenging himself to grow and learn. “Aim for something and just go for it,” he said. That’s what I’ve gained, and it’s exciting to finally be able to launch my ideas into the world.”
You can follow the journey of Henle Gardens on their Facebook page.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 21 July 2023.
