Therapeutic terrace gardening: Bengaluru mother finds solace in her rooftop garden

Bengaluru: A woman who once dreamt of a bright future as a software engineer was suddenly forced to quit her job. Her 10-year-old son was diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, and to take care of him, she gave up her profession. This led her into a spiral of mental depression. However, a solution emerged in the form of terrace gardening, which helped her recover from the intense stress and depression. There are several cases where terrace gardening has acted as a form of therapy for those struggling with emotional and mental challenges.

Sushma Reddy, originally from Andhra Pradesh, now resides in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru. Her journey to beat depression began with a rooftop garden that has now turned into a success. The fruits and vegetables she grows not only benefit her family but are also shared with her neighbors. A software engineer by profession, 39-year-old Sushma Reddy had to leave her job to care for her son, who suffers from ADHD and intellectual disabilities. The burden of this decision pushed her into a state of mental depression.

Passionate about preserving greenery, Sushma, with advice from her doctor and encouragement from her father, started her terrace garden in 2019. However, the first year was a failure as no crops grew. But she did not give up. With the help of YouTube and expert guidance, she used waterproofing techniques for her terrace and started planting fruit and vegetable plants in pots of 10 to 12 inches.

In urban spaces where space is limited, Sushma successfully grows nutritious fruits such as dragon fruit, Lakshman phal, sweet lime, pomegranate, orange, strawberry, mango, cashew, star fruit, pineapple, papaya, cherry, noni, fig, and custard apple. She also cultivates a variety of vegetables, including peppers, tomatoes, beans, onions, garlic, ridge gourd, ginger, and cabbage, in her terrace garden. All these crops are grown using organic fertilizers. Sushma proudly says, “This garden has helped me overcome my depression. I now live happily with my son amidst the green plants.”

Learning through Videos

Sushma has also shared her knowledge through video tutorials. She explains how to use different sizes of grow bags (from 12×12 inches to 24×24 inches) for planting seeds and shares tips on maintaining the right amount of soil and fertilizers in the pots. She also offers advice on how much water to give the plants depending on the climate, making it easier for others with limited space to grow their own terrace gardens.

What’s in the Terrace Garden?

Sushma’s garden boasts over 60 fruit plants, including dragon fruit, Lakshman phal, sweet lime, pomegranate, orange, strawberry, mango, cashew, star fruit, pineapple, fig, custard apple, papaya, cherry, and noni. She also grows a wide variety of vegetables, including peppers, tomatoes, beans, onions, garlic, ridge gourd, corn, ginger, and cabbage. These crops are all grown using organic fertilizers. Besides meeting her family’s daily needs for fresh fruits and vegetables, she also shares the surplus with her neighbors for free.

Speaking about her journey, Sushma says, “I was deeply depressed due to my son’s condition, but the creation of this terrace garden helped me relieve my stress and find peace. Now, I take care of my son while tending to the plants. In the future, I hope to own a house and expand my gardening efforts.”

-Translated version of Kannada article by Bharathi Sajjan