ATGLife Mates: Featuring Deepika Joshi

Here’s her Instagram account - @deepikas_garden

How did you start gardening?

My gardening journey began on the rooftop out of curiosity and eventually evolved to encompass both taste and health. I started with just a few flowerpots and then began growing plants in grow bags and containers. I have primarily grown flowers—and all of them from seeds. I also have a YouTube channel where I have uploaded many videos.

My youtube channel name - Deepikas Terrace garden since 2016.

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

It started with growing fruit trees; then came flowers, indoor and outdoor plants, succulents, cacti, spices, and herbs, and now this journey has arrived at growing vegetables.

I have grown all kinds of indoor and outdoor plants and flowers—both from cuttings and seeds. I’ve grown almond, apple, mango, and lemon trees, but the most interesting project was growing a walnut tree from its shell; that video of mine was very well-received. I have also extensively propagated indoor plants grown from leaves, such as Gloxinia, Begonia, and ZZ plants.Now, I am growing all kinds of vegetables from seeds as well.

What are some of the plants that you have not had as much success with?

It might sound like an exaggeration, but I have managed to grow everything—perhaps nature has been on my side. There is just one flowering plant that I can neither find here nor successfully propagate from seed; apart from that, I have grown almost everything without any trouble.

Vegetables and herbs like basil, chives, parsley, oregano, mints, lemon grass. In spices, I have himalayan galangal, 11 types of turmeric varieties, all spices, cinnamon, bayleaf plants, 3 types of ginger, and pimpri. Some varieties of cactus and succulents. All this is growing in my garden. Lisianthus is the only plant I have never managed to grow from seeds.

Are there any new plants on your wish list?

Yes, along with some plants, I want to grow all kinds of vegetable seeds myself—varieties that I can use in my daily meals. Growing exotic green vegetables—such as specialty peppers, microgreens, beans, black chickpeas, and various rice varieties—is on my wish list.

What would you like to say to our new gardeners?

Just get started, nature is with you and will teach you everything. Always remember one mantra: "Thoda thoda wait karo, always create karo".

Any gardening hack you want to share?

If you want to keep your garden healthy, observe your plants daily and give them a thorough wash when watering them in the evening.

Any particular account you follow for inspiration?

There are many, and most of them are channels from foreign countries. My mentors who taught me also have channels.

Hooga seeds keepers, chalo baagwani kare, farmaanada, pumpkiniasta maine , garden answer, bakerscreekseeds, nisrgamitra farm, growing in the garden, netalsandpetals, faridasobar etc.

I follow these people. There are many, but I didn't learn gardening from them. I learned gardening from just one person, and for the rest, I relied on my own experience and knowledge.

My mentor @enrichsoilandsoul (Purnima Sawgzvkar).