ATGLife Mates: Featuring Maya Ganesh

Now based in Kodaikanal, she runs The Pumpkin Patch Garden Centre, cultivating heirloom seeds and regenerative landscapes rooted in education and ecology.

How did you start gardening?

I have been a professional gardener practising regenerative agriculture since 2012.  I switched careers from sales & marketing with multinational corporations to doing a second master's degree in Environment & Sustainable Development from University College London.  What started as a love for fauna and flora as a child with my grandparents has now become my career.  I have a demonstrative regenerative landscape on 1/2 an acre in Kodaikanal, with a nursery and seed bank for Open Pollinated and Heirloom seeds called The Pumpkin Patch Garden Centre (I grow varieties of Pumpkin, among other things).  I work on regenerative landscaping projects for clients, schools, and my area of research interest is School Garden Pedagogies.

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

I have absolutely no favourites and strongly believe in biodiversity.  It is diversity that makes an ecosystem alive and self sustaining.  My favourite thing to do is to keep adding to my ecosystem's diversity which is infinite.

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

I grow plants that are conducive to my biome and climatic conditions, with more perennials and fewer annuals.  I also am very discerning about the seeds I use - only open pollinated and heirloom seeds, and seed save year on year, as OP and H also have the ability to withstand shocks to the ecosystem such as with climate change. Therefore, I do not have the problem of not having as much success with any plant.

Are there any new plants on your wishlist?

All the time, with an endless list.  I add a new variety to each species, every season.  For example, I've added the Italian Ribbed Zucchini this year to my existing Zucchini collection of Fordhook Zucchini, Zucchini Golden, Summer Squash Green and a Light Green Zucchini.

What would you like to say to our new gardeners?

Gardening has been the most enriching experience for me as a person.  I learn something new from my garden about life every single day.  As Masanobu Fukuoka rightly says,  “The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”

Any gardening hack you want to share with us?

Start your garden with soil rejuvenation.  Grow hardy herbs and perennials first rather than your favourite plants. Hardy herbs are excellent companion plants that add to a healthy biodiverse ecosystem.  Perennials are permanent, making your ecosystem resilient, creating microclimates, improving soil structure and fertility, and are a habitat for fauna.

Any particular Instagram accounts you follow for inspiration?