ATGLife Mates: Featuring Rashmi Rayal

Follow her inspiring gardening story here: @rashmi_rayal

How did you start gardening?

Nature has always been a part of my family's story.Growing up, I often saw my grandmother tending to her plants — nurturing them with patience and so much love. That connection to the earth stayed quietly alive in my father, and somewhere, in me too.

After 10th, I moved away from home and eventually found myself living in a 2000 sq ft apartment in Pune, surrounded by buildings and cars. Somewhere in the middle of the city’s rush, I often caught myself thinking — why am I so far from what truly makes me happy?

I missed waking up to the valleys, breathing fresh air, and watching things grow around me.Another thing that pulled me closer to gardening was realising how much of our food today is filled with chemicals and pesticides. And if your body and mind are your real strength, shouldn’t you nourish them right?

That’s when gardening became more than just a hobby — it became my way of coming back to nature, to my roots, and to a life that feels real, full, and mine.

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

Haha, I think beets are my new favourite now — that’s actually how I got connected to the ATGmate page! But honestly, I love growing basil, calendula (I love making infusions), spinach, lemon balm, bok choi, lettuce, radish, and coriander. Can’t really say I have a single favourite though — every plant gives me its own kind of joy.

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

Cabbage and beans, for sure! We have a lot of monkeys here, so some plants have to be grown inside the greenhouse. This time, there were cabbage worms all over the greenhouse and it completely got out of hand for a while — I eventually had to pluck everything out.

Maybe next time I’ll try growing them outside and see if that works better!

Are there any new plants on your wishlist?

I really want to try growing artichoke, lavender, and blueberries here!

What would you like to say to our new gardeners?

If you’re gardening for the first time, expect both success and failures - aphid attacks, cabbage worms, and other challenges might make you want to give up or reach for harmful pesticides. But think about this — these pesticides come with serious warnings like ‘keep your mouth closed, do not enter for 24 hours. Imagine what that does to you, the plants, the soil, and even the pollinators and birds around it. Using these chemicals harms the entire ecosystem.

The key is patience. Stick with it, keep learning, and embrace the process — because gardening is truly a game of patience. And when it comes to fertilizers, I don't rely on store-bought ones. I mostly make my own using banana peels, the waste from my ABC Juice (apple, beetroot, carrot), lemon, orange peels, ETC — it's simple, sustainable, and great for the plants!

Not only will you feel healthier, but it will also serve as a meditative practice for your mind and soul. I urge everyone to try planting at least one tree, flower, or herb — herbs are the easiest to start with. And don’t wear gloves — feel the soil with your bare hands and experience the difference it makes to your mood.

For your first time, try growing mint, coriander, strawberries, basil, methi, lettuce, or mustard greens — they’re all simple and grow quickly.

Any gardening hack you wanna share with us?

One hack I swear by, especially for the summer, is mulch! It’s AMAZING for keeping the soil cool, retaining moisture, and preventing weeds. You can use anything from leaves, straw, or even grass clippings — it really helps my plants stay hydrated and happy in the heat.

Another trick I love is making my own DIY plant feed. Leftover tea or coffee grounds work wonders as a natural fertiliser. If I’m dealing with pests, I plant herbs alongside my plants and sprinkle crushed eggshells around them. This helps keep the pests away naturally. Plus, coffee grounds are great for acid-loving plants.

I also make my own natural pest repellents with garlic, onion, cedar, or neem oil. It’s a great way to keep pests in check without using harmful chemicals, but I would say start EARLY. When you see that first worm, spray the mixture — it helps get the situation under control before it spreads and becomes uncontrollable.

One of my favourite little hacks is using haldi (turmeric) and sprinkling cinnamon around my plants. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also helps deter pests. I also love using curd water, rice water, and lentil water for plants like money plant and curry patta — they’re rich in natural nutrients, promote healthy growth, and I feel good about reusing water that would otherwise go to waste.

And composting! You can easily compost your kitchen waste like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. It’s a simple, sustainable way to create black gold for your plants!

Any particular Instagram accounts you follow for inspiration?

Yes, many. Mentioning a few below:

• @wormrani
• @carmeninthegarden
• @nettlesandpetals