From routine watering to cherishing every moment in the garden, Vipin discovered a love for plants that turned into one of his favourite hobbies.

How did you start gardening?

I had started my gardening journey during 2021, when our local gardener had stopped coming to our house due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At first, I was just watering the plants and doing small tasks around the garden to keep the plants from dying in my free time, but I realised that I had a knack for taking care of plants and started to look forward to tending to my garden. Gardening went from a chore which I was required to do to something which I cherished and loved, and turned into one of my favourite hobbies.

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

One of my (personal) favourite types of plants which I adore growing are herbs and plants which I could use to elevate a meal. I love to grow herbs such as mint, which was one of the first edible plants I ever cultivated, as well as rocket leaves and rosemary. Microgreens are also extremely enjoyable to grow, even if they take a couple of tries to get the hang of. Mustard microgreens are one of my most favoured herbs, as the tiny leaves pack so much flavour in them! And lastly, I love tending to my exotic vegetable plants- including my hearty tomato plant, eggplants, and chilis. These home-grown vegetables have become a staple in our kitchen. :)

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

I have been trying to grow lavender flowers for a long time, but I have personally not had much success with them. I have ordered the seeds twice and continuously tried to grow them, watching tutorials online and following tips from blogs and websites, but they did not grow as much as I wanted in the end. However, I would love to try again some day!

Are there any new plants on your wishlist?

Exotic vegetables and herbs are on the top of my wishlist which can be sown in this very weather.

What would you like to say to our new gardeners?

Here's a tip for all the new gardeners out there- you can use organic kitchen waste such as eggshells, fruit peels, and more to create compost, which not only reduces waste but helps your plants become healthier and happier! You can easily find a tutorial on how to create compost at home, or buy a compost bin from any of your shopping websites.

Any gardening hack you want to share with us?

The most important gardening hack which I realised is vital for your plants to grow healthier is to show love and affection towards your plants. Showing your personal gratitude towards your plants, whether they are tiny or large, can motivate them to grow faster and make them healthier. I do this by being gentle with your greenery, treating them with respect, and talking to them- that's right, talking to your plants and saying positive encouragement can create a greater bond between you and your foliage!

Any particular Instagram accounts you follow for inspiration?

I do not follow any Instagram accounts for gardening inspiration, but if I am struggling with a certain type of plant or am in need of tips & tricks, I simply just search on Youtube for informative videos and tutorials, and Google for websites and blogs.