Akshay Bhatnagar, a native of Bareilly, grew up helping his grandfather tend to their family garden. Nurtured from an early age, his love for plants blossomed into a lifelong dream of having a garden of his own.

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Akshay’s dream took its first step when he and his wife moved to Indirapuram. His small balcony then became home to over 40 plant varieties, including roses, aloe vera, and money plants.

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A couple of years ago, Akshay and his family relocated to Greater Noida. The move gave them the space they needed to bring their dream garden to life, with 500 square feet of outdoor space.

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In their new home, Akshay started planting fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamental flowers on the ground floor. He also brought along around 30 pots from his apartment garden.

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Today, Akshay’s garden flourishes with seasonal vegetables like carrots, cherry tomatoes, bottle gourd, and okra. He also grows fruits like watermelon, lemons, grapes, and oranges — bringing fresh, homegrown produce to their dining table.

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Not one to settle for the basics, Akshay cultivates exotic plants as well. His impressive collection includes rare varieties like Monstera Peru, different types of snake plants, and syngonium.

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The green cover around the house does more than beautify the space — it naturally cools the home. “My family and friends frequently visit the place and all of them love the greenery and comfort. We also have visitors who come just to take a look at the garden,” Akshay shares.

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Despite a hectic work life, Akshay believes in making time for his plants. With smart self-watering systems in place, he only has to spend two to three hours a week to maintain his garden.

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Every day, Akshay waters his plants before leaving for work at 6:30 am. Once home, he spends time checking on his plants after walking his dog, always eager to see them grow.

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Akshay also composts 75% of his household waste, including wet kitchen scraps and dry leaves. Within a month, they are converted into rich compost, which nourishes his plants while reducing waste.

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To inspire and guide others, Akshay shares his gardening knowledge through an Instagram page (guardiansofgreen) and a WhatsApp group for aspiring gardeners.

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“Gardening and composting can be done by anyone if you have a little space on your balcony or terrace. The sight of fresh plants gives you nothing but sheer joy,” Akshay shares.

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