Pune Residents Turn Balconies Into Healthy Organic Spaces
Pune Residents Turn Balconies Into Healthy Organic Spaces
Pune, May 7, 2026: In an age where groceries arrive at the doorstep within minutes, many Pune residents are still choosing to grow their own vegetables and herbs at home. From small apartment balconies to compact terrace corners, the kitchen garden concept continues to gain popularity as people look for healthier and chemical-free food options.
A senior citizen, around the age of 60, says she loves growing vegetables, but because she lives in the city, the only viable place is her balcony. A variety of vegetables are grown, like- tomato, basil, chilli and even spring onions. She got this idea from her mother, who taught her the basics- like setting the manure or watering habits. Her only thought behind setting up her own kitchen garden was to eat what is produced in her own yard which is filled with love and is pesticide free.
At 35, Deepa, a middle aged woman is trying to start her own garden. “After reading many articles on harmful produce, I decided to switch to the healthier option of balcony gardens.” She reuses her wine bottles, fills them up with water and decorates her garden with money plants. She bought coco peat and seeds from an online portal, and now has a flourishing bed of tulsi. She grows her tomatoes all by herself, watering them with love and care.
The middle aged woman and the senior citizen represent many homes in Pune. The pandemic planted the first seeds, literally — when lockdowns confined residents to their homes and supermarket shelves turned uncertain, thousands turned to whatever space they had. Many started growing things out of anxiety and found, to their surprise, that they could not stop. Seeds got shared between neighbours and WhatsApp groups formed.
Across Pune’s skyline — above the water tanks, the satellite dishes, the half-built towers — something small and green is pushing through wherever it finds a few inches of soil and a little morning light. From tiny balconies in high-rise apartments to terrace gardens in housing societies, the city’s growing love for organic home gardening reflects a shift towards conscious and healthy living.
