ATGLife Mates: Featuring Anya Gupta

From watching him lay the foundation at their family farm to eventually reviving Aura’s gardens herself, Anya discovered the joy of growing fresh, organic food - and carrying forward a legacy rooted in love for the land.

Follow her passion here - Aura Life on Instagram

Here’s a link to her website - https://auralife.in/

How did you start gardening?

My first brush with gardening was only as an observer, back in 2009, when my father bought a piece of land on the outskirts of the city. I would watch him enjoy his “old man” activities, never really paying much attention to what he was doing—though in hindsight, he was setting the foundation for the lifestyle we live today.

When we moved to the farm—now lovingly known as Aura—I began noticing the difference between the vegetables we grew and those from the market. The taste was distinct, fresher, cleaner. I’d see our staff harvesting baskets of produce so our family could eat wholesome food. That was my first true exposure to gardening.

For my father, the garden was always a top priority. In 2019, I began spending time with him there, helping nurture what later became AuraOKG—a subscription-based project that delivered fresh, organic vegetables to our friends and family in the city. Sadly, shortly after the launch, my father passed away suddenly. The gardens at Aura went quiet for almost a year.

But in 2020, when the world slowed down, I found myself drawn back to them. It was then I knew—gardening was going to be a big part of my life going forward.

What are some of your favourite plants to grow in the garden?

Tomatoes, herbs, broccoli, and chillies. They’re easy to grow, versatile, and endlessly rewarding. I love my tomatoes raw on breakfast toast, or sun-dried and tossed into my daily salads. Herbs are my absolute favourite though—the return is incredible if you prune them well. I love taking cuttings, multiplying them, and sharing with friends.

What are some of the plants you’ve not had much success with?

Sage, oregano, and ginger seem to resist me—I’m probably doing something wrong. But failure in the garden never discourages me. Honestly, I could roll around in the mud all day and still count it as an achievement. For me, that’s a testament to the life I want to live.

Are there any new plants on your wishlist?

Yes—all the flowers I haven’t tried yet, and plenty of exotic herbs. I imagine Aura as a space brimming with herbs of every kind. They carry such potency and magic. Nothing delights me more than watching guests walk through the herb garden, plucking, sniffing, and tasting leaves on their evening stroll.

What would you like to say to new gardeners?

You don’t need too much space to begin. A single grow bag is enough. Start small, start with herbs—but start.

Gardening is one of the most gratifying hobbies you can take up, planting the seed of a wholesome, healthy lifestyle for the future. And don’t forget to plant flowers for your bee friends. :)

Any gardening hacks to share?

Clip tomato suckers at the axil stems, place them in water, and watch them turn into new plants ten times faster. The same trick works beautifully with basil. And here’s another—shake your plants every few days when they’re flowering; it helps multiply your yield.

Any particular IG accounts you follow for inspiration?

Monty Don. I’d love for him to visit my garden one day.