The Slow Garden on the Roof

Last spring, my neighbor Nora moved into the flat above mine and started a small garden on our shared roof.

At first, I thought it was a strange idea, because the roof gets very hot in summer.

However, Nora explained that she only chose plants which enjoy strong sunlight, such as tomatoes and rosemary.

Every morning before work, she spends about twenty minutes watering them, and she says this quiet routine helps her feel calm.

I often join her there after dinner, when the air is cooler and the city sounds softer.

While we pull out small weeds together, Nora tells me stories about her grandmother, who kept a big garden in the countryside.

I have learned that gardening is not really about speed; it is about paying attention to small changes.

Last week, we picked our first red tomatoes, and they tasted sweeter than any I had bought in a shop.

Now I keep a little pot of mint on my kitchen window, and I water it slowly each evening.