Originally reported and written in April 2024, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

Jayanti Sahoo’s day starts with harvesting guavas, mulberries, chikoos, and pomegranates from her lush green rooftop garden.

“These days, people put chemicals to artificially ripen fruits. Fruits are coated with wax and chemicals to make them glossy. We are blessed to eat fruits that are completely chemical-free and organically grown. Our fruits are comparatively sweeter than those available in the market,” she says as I prepare to ask Jayanti all about her journey that led to her turning her very home into a mini jungle.

Her 350 sq ft terrace, along with her three-storey house covering a total area of around 1,500 sq ft, is thriving with a diverse array of plants. “There is no vacant place left in my home where I could add more pots. I wish I had more space,” she laughs.

Jayanti, now 56 years old, narrates that it was during her childhood she took a keen interest in gardening. Growing up in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, a young Jayanti lived along with her six siblings and parents.

“All of us lived in a small home. My father would grow fruits and vegetables in the backyard and we helped him in gardening. We would be very excited to fetch water from the well and water all the plants together. He would teach us how to take care of plants. It was fun to be in the garden,” she recalls.

This piqued her interest in gardening and her desire to create a small garden of her own. “My father would not grow flowering plants. But I always desired to grow roses and rajanigandha (tuberose). So, when I grew up, I set up a small garden of roses and other flowers. My father would bring guests to my garden and proudly say that this was his........

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