Inspiring Gardeners

They were not botanists, yet they brought a dying forest back to life. Their methods are simple, patient, and full of heart, and the impact reaches far beyond plants.

Every morning, 70-year-old Ajay Agarwal walks into a forest of green — on his terrace. Built without soil, his Pune garden, made of dry leaves and cow dung, now cools his home and nourishes his family.

September is the ideal time to sow cool-season vegetables, herbs, and flowers. From spinach and broad beans to coriander and pansies, know what to plant now for a flourishing autumn and winter garden. Follow these tips on soil preparation, watering, and pest protection for a vibrant and productive outdoor space.

Prince and Sonia, a teacher couple, turned their 900 sq ft home into a lush indoor forest with over 250 plants, creepers, kokedama moss balls, fish, butterflies, and birds. Over 10 years, they created a serene green sanctuary free from harsh sunlight and pests.

Living in a place with limited space, Manoj Ranjan found his passion for gardening constrained. His resolve led him to utilise the small patch outside his home – once a dumping ground for garbage – to turn it into a garden.

After losing her mother-in-law, Surbhi Yadav transformed sorrow into sustainability—repurposing vintage bottles, lanterns, and fan parts into planters that now host over 300 plants on her terrace in Meerut.

Rani Sunny from Idukki developed a range of innovative products from Jackfruit— including dried jackfruit, dried jackfruit powder, frozen tender jackfruit, wholesome jackfruit powder, dried jackfruit seed, dried jackfruit seed powder, and jackfruit pulp -- All from a small room near her house.

On weekends, a software tester from Kochi nurtures 300 vibrant Portulaca varieties from half an acre—fulfilling 50–100 orders daily by transforming her passion into profit.

Odisha resident Subrat Nath has turned his home into a mini garden with rare flowers and fruit plants. His exotic collection includes the Miyazaki mango which sells for Rs 2.5 lakh per kg. With lilies, lotuses, and other rare plants thriving at home, Subrat hopes his work will inspire others to pick up gardening.

From ancient maple leaf to 1,000-petal lotus, Kerala-resident Lathika Suthan turned her terrace into a thriving garden. By growing water lilies and lotuses, she turned her hobby into a flourishing business. She shares how she learnt simple methods to master the art of growing these exotic flowers effortlessly at