Climbing a Ladder to Change the World: Pune Engineer Shares How to Turn Terrace into Soil-Free Green Movement

Ajay Aggarwal’s rooftop garden is now a 300+ member community movement, distributing free saplings and inspiring urban farming without commercial gain.

In 2015, when most people looked at their rooftops as empty concrete spaces, Ajay Agarwal saw possibility. With nothing more than a small ladder to his terrace and a mind full of curiosity, the Pune-based engineering professional began experimenting with soil-free gardening. What started as a personal trial is today a thriving green movement—built not for profit, but for people, nature and purpose.

From Experiment to Ecosystem
Ajay’s initial experiments were inspired by hydroponics—growing plants in water without soil. But he wanted a system that was natural, affordable and simple enough for anyone to adopt. After several months of trial, error and observation, he discovered a powerful alternative: a growing medium made purely from dry leaves and cow dung manure.

This mix, when allowed to decompose naturally, turned into a light, fertile base that retained moisture, supported roots, and didn’t weigh heavily on the terrace. With ample sunlight, fresh air and space, Ajay’s terrace slowly transformed into a lush ecosystem—full of vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, butterflies and birds.

More Than a Garden — A Green Movement
His rooftop is now a living example of how urban homes can contribute to environmental balance—reducing heat, improving air quality and creating micro-habitats for life. Ajay believes this is not just gardening—it’s healing the relationship between humans and nature.

To spread this vision, he formed a WhatsApp community that now has over 300 active members—students, homemakers, professionals and retirees—all connected by the desire to grow something green. In this group, Ajay shares step-by-step guidance, low-cost techniques, homemade fertiliser methods, rainwater harvesting tricks and pest-control using natural ingredients. There are no fees, no promotions—only shared learning.

Free Saplings, Shared Hope
Ajay is known across Pune for distributing 500–600 saplings for free every year—vegetable, medicinal and flowering plants. Last year, at the annual Flower and Vegetable Show in Empress Garden, he set up a stall not to sell, but to give saplings away.

This year, he plans to do the same again. “Plants have given me peace, purpose and connection. I don’t want to sell them. I want people to take them home and feel that joy,” he says.

No Commercial Intent—Only Change
Unlike many urban farming influencers, Ajay has no commercial goals. He does not sell workshops, products or plant kits. What drives him is the belief that if even a small terrace can turn into a forest, then a neighbourhood can turn into a movement.

“Gardening keeps me learning, experimenting, and connecting with the world around me,” he shares. At least five people in his locality have already started their own terrace gardens after following his method. For him, every new plant grown by someone else is a silent victory for nature.

His Vision Ahead

• Build a larger green volunteer group across Pune.
• Conduct open terrace visits for school children and residents.
• Promote leaf-composting instead of burning waste.
• Distribute free saplings every year at Empress Garden exhibitions.
• Encourage people to convert rooftops and balconies into food-growing spaces.

Ajay Aggarwal’s story is a reminder that change doesn’t always begin with grand plans or big investments. Sometimes, it starts with a small ladder, a handful of dry leaves, and the courage to believe that one terrace can inspire a greener world.