When actress Sameera Reddy moved from Mumbai to Goa, she didn’t just change cities, she changed her whole way of living. In a home tour she shared on YouTube, she gives a glimpse of the lush, fruit-filled garden that surrounds her bungalow, and it’s easy to see why she says she is “just gardening all the time”. The property is wrapped in tall palms and fruit trees, and the garden is meant to be used, not just admired. If you’re looking for ideas for your own space, big or small, there’s plenty to take away from it. Here’s a closer look.
A house wrapped in green
The first thing you notice is how thick the greenery is. The property is surrounded by a dense layer of tall native and tropical trees, such as areca palms, bamboo, neem and chikoo. Instead of a neat lawn with a few borders, the home sits inside a green canopy that gives shade, privacy and a cooler feel. It’s a good reminder that layering tall plants around a house can make it feel like a little forest, and make it far more comfortable in the heat.
Trees that feed the family
This isn’t an ornamental garden. It’s full of productive trees, including 18 coconut trees, cashew, bimbli, breadfruit, banana and a tall curry leaf tree. Then there are the mangoes. One mango tree gave around 350 fruits in a single season, which is a number that surprises even a seasoned gardener. If you don’t have space for an orchard, you can still follow the idea by planting a few things you’ll actually eat, like a curry leaf plant or a banana.
Farm-to-table, right from the yard
In this garden, the goal is to feed the household. Fruits, herbs and fresh produce are picked straight from the yard, so what ends up on the plate has travelled only a few steps. There’s something quite satisfying about that, and it also changes the way you look at your garden, as a place that gives back. Even on a balcony, a few pots of herbs, chillies and tomatoes can bring a little of the same joy to your kitchen.
Nothing goes to waste
Another thing worth borrowing is the habit of composting. Instead of throwing out kitchen and garden waste, it’s turned into compost, which then goes back into the soil to feed the plants. It’s a simple loop that makes the garden healthier, and it cuts down on waste that would otherwise go into the bin. You don’t need a big yard for it, since a small bin or pot on a terrace will do the job.
Sharing the harvest
When a single tree gives hundreds of mangoes, you can’t eat them all, and in Goa, that’s where the neighbours come in. Sameera has said she shares her extra fruit with them, and they often return the favour with whatever is growing in their own gardens. It’s a lovely way to live, where a garden isn’t just about one household, but about the whole community. A basket of fruit left on a neighbour’s doorstep goes a long way.
A green view from above
The greenery doesn’t stop at ground level. The upper balconies and a favourite rooftop terrace are set up with pale yellow wicker or cane seating and hanging egg chairs, surrounded by palm fronds, so you can sit and look out over the tropical canopy. It’s a nice tip for any home: place your seating so that it faces the greenery, and a quiet corner of a balcony or terrace can turn into your favourite spot.
