Harshad Sawant Of IndoorMint: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food
An Interview With Martita Mestey
Be patient: Don’t expect to see results overnight. Gardening takes time, patience, and perseverance.
As we all know, inflation has really increased the price of food. Many people have turned to home gardening to grow their own food. Many have tried this and have been really successful. But others struggle to produce food in their own garden. What do you need to know to create a successful vegetable garden to grow your own food? In this interview series, called “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food” we are talking to experts in vegetable gardening who can share stories and insights from their experiences.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Harshad Sawant.
Harshad Sawant is a gardening expert at IndoorMint.com. He has been gardening for over 15 years and has a knack for picking the right plants for any home. Harshad is passionate about helping people bring a bit of nature into their homes and loves sharing his knowledge with others.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”?
Well, I’ve always been interested in plants and gardening, even from a young age.
Since we belong to a farming family, we always had a lot of plants and flowers at home. Over time, it became my passion, and I decided to share my knowledge and insights on Indoor Mint.
As for the gardening life, I feel there is no better way to connect with nature than by keeping plants in our homes. It not only purifies the air but also brings a sense of peace and tranquility.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think the most interesting thing that has happened to me is the response I got from people.
I never expected that my blog would be so popular and that I would get so many comments from people thanking me for my tips. It’s really gratifying to know that I’m helping people create beautiful gardens of their own.
I started this medium as a way to share my passion with others, and I’m so glad that it has resonated with so many people.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The three character traits that have been most instrumental to my success are passion, dedication, and perseverance.
Passion is what drives me to continue learning about plants and gardening, and it’s also what motivates me to share my knowledge with others.
Dedication is what keeps me going, even on the days when I don’t feel like writing or when I’m feeling a bit down. I know that there are people who are counting on me for tips and advice, so I push through.
And finally, perseverance is what has helped me grow my blog and reach more people. I never give up, even when things get tough.
For e.g., The covid-19 pandemic was a tough time for all of us. It was hard to find the motivation to write when the world was in such turmoil. But I persevered, and I’m glad I did because my readers were so grateful for the content I was putting out.
So, I believe if you want to be successful in anything, you need to have passion, dedication, and perseverance.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“If you want something, go out and get it.”
This is one of my favorite quotes because it’s so relevant to my life.
And it applies to anything, not just gardening. If there’s something you want, don’t wait for it to come to you.
Things are not going to happen unless you make them happen. So, go out there and get what you want!
Are you working on any interesting or exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
I do have a few things in mind, but it’s still a work in progress.
But to give you a sneak peek, I’m thinking of starting a community where people can share their gardening experiences and connect with others who have similar interests.
I think this would be a great way for people to learn from each other and grow as gardeners. So, stay tuned for that!
Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about creating a successful garden to grow your own food. Can you help articulate a few reasons why people should be interested in making their own vegetable garden? For example, how is it better for our health? For the environment? For our wallet?
The concept of growing your own food is becoming more and more popular, and for a good reason.
There are so many benefits to growing your own food, including:
- It’s better for your health: When you grow your own food, you know exactly what goes into it. There are no pesticides or harmful chemicals.
- It’s better for the environment: Commercial farming is one of the leading causes of pollution and deforestation. Growing your own food at home reduces your carbon footprint.
- It’s better for your wallet: Homegrown fruits and vegetables are way cheaper than store-bought. Plus, you can save even more money by preserving and canning your own food.
So, as you can see, there are many reasons why people should be interested in growing their own food. It’s not only good for you, but it’s also good for the planet.
Besides, I strongly believe that everyone should have plants at home, not just for decoration but for their many benefits. Plants improve our mood, reduce stress levels, and purify the air we breathe.
I have grown many veggies and fruits over the year, and I can tell you from experience that it’s so satisfying to see something you’ve grown with your own two hands. There’s nothing like it!
Where should someone start if they would like to start a garden? Which resources would you recommend? Which plants should they start with?
The best way to start a vegetable garden is to start small. Don’t try to grow too many things at once, or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed. Learn from the mistakes and try not to repeat them.
And the beautify of vegetable gardening is that you can always expand your garden as you get more experience.
Community gardening is another interesting option if you don’t have the space or time to garden on your own. It’s a great way to meet new people and learn from each other.
As for resources, I would recommend checking out your local library or bookstore. They usually have a good selection of gardening books.
If you’re not into books, you can find several videos and articles online about gardening. The internet is a wealth of information!
As for plants, I would recommend starting with some easy-to-grow vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. Once you get the hang of it, you can try your hand at more challenging plants.
Can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To Grow Your Own Food”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
Sure!
Here are the five things you need to know:
1. Start small: Don’t try to grow too many things at once. Start with a few easy-to-grow vegetables and expand your garden as you get more experience.
2. Get the right supplies: Make sure you have the necessary supplies, such as seeds, soil, pots, and fertilizer.
3. Get some help: Gardening can be a lot of work. Ask your family and friends for help, or join a community garden.
4. Be patient: Don’t expect to see results overnight. Gardening takes time, patience, and perseverance.
5. Have fun: Gardening should be enjoyable! Don’t get too stressed out about it. Remember that it’s supposed to be a fun hobby.
What are the most common mistakes you have seen people make when they start a garden? What specifically can be done to avoid those errors?
There are so many common mistakes people make when starting a garden! I’ve made many of them myself, so I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed.
Moreover, I think overwatering is the most common mistake. People think that plants need a lot of water, but that’s not always the case. In fact, overwatering can kill your plants.
The best way to avoid overwatering is to check the soil before watering. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water. If the soil is still damp, your plants don’t need any more water.
Another common mistake is planting too close together. This is especially common with new gardeners who are excited to get started. But if you plant your seeds too close together, your plants will compete for resources, and they won’t thrive.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to read the seed packet carefully. It will tell you how far apart to plant each seed.
And finally, one more common mistake is not mulching. Mulch is a layer of material (usually organic) that you put on top of the soil. It helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and keep the soil warm.
Not mulching is a mistake because it can lead to all sorts of problems, like weeds and soil erosion. To avoid this, simply put down a layer of mulch when you plant your garden.
What are some of the best ways to keep the costs of gardening down?
There are a few ways to keep the costs of gardening down. One way is to start your plants from seed instead of buying them. This is usually much cheaper, and it’s also more satisfying.
Another way to save money is to compost your kitchen scraps. This will cut down on your garbage bill, and it will also provide you with free fertilizer for your garden.
You can also save money by using recycled materials in your garden. For example, you can use old tires as planters or recycled pallets as raised beds.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to see a movement that encourages people to grow their own food. I think it would be amazing if everyone had a vegetable garden, even if it’s just a small one.
Growing your own food has so many benefits. It’s good for your health, it’s good for the environment, and it can save you money.
I think a movement like this would bring a lot of good to the world, and I’m excited to be a part of it!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I have always been a huge fan and admirer of Dwayne Johnson. I think he is an incredible human being and an inspiration to so many people.
I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with him because I think he has a lot of wisdom to share. He’s been through a lot in his life, and he’s come out on top. I think he would have a lot of advice to offer.
Plus, I just think he’s a really cool guy, and I would love to meet him in person!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow my work on my blog, IndoorMint.com.
Thank you so much for the time you spent on this interview. We wish you only continued success and good health.
Harshad Sawant Of IndoorMint: 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Successful Vegetable Garden To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.