If you’ve put your gardening dreams on hold just because of limited space, Madhavi Guthikonda is here to show you how it’s done. Her story might just change your mind.
An award-winning gardener, Madhavi has become an inspiration for urban dwellers worldwide, proving that even the smallest spaces can be transformed into lush gardens. With over 500 varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs thriving on her terrace, she is a living example of the power of sustainable gardening.
For the last 10 years, she has been growing everything from exotic lettuces and Napa cabbage to heirloom varieties like Kanupu Chikkudu. She also cultivates rare spices like white turmeric and black ginger.
Her gardening secret? The sandwich method.
It involves layering compost, dry leaves, and just four inches of soil. With no fertilisers or pesticides, the gardener ensures her produce is completely organic. She uses traditional methods like ‘Jeevamrutha’ and even Korean natural farming techniques to keep pests at bay.
Though Madhavi never received formal training, her success comes from years of observation, trial, and error. She believes in connecting with her plants, even talking to them, which she feels encourages their growth.
Madhavi’s journey started with flowering plants, but she soon felt inspired to grow leafy greens and vegetables. Her first harvest was so successful that she found immense satisfaction and joy in growing her own food.
Today, her terrace garden houses a diverse range of produce, including leafy vegetables like spinach, sorrel, and amaranth, as well as vegetables like brinjal, radishes, carrots, and cucumbers. She also grows fruits, herbs, and flowers, all while overcoming the challenge of transporting soil, plants, and tools up to her fourth-floor terrace.
Through her social media handle, ‘Mad Gardener’, Madhavi shares her knowledge, offering valuable tips and tricks for successful gardening.
Edited by Khushi Arora
