Nature's Phenomena

Soumya Manthena, digital content creator, and also this year’s winner for the Sustainbility Influencer of the year (Editor’s Panel) at the Cosmo India Blogger Awards ’22-’23, speaks to us about sustainability being more than a buzzword, her love for gardening, and the best way to begin a low-waste journey

- Shambhavi Dutta

Cosmo: You recently mentioned on the ’Gram that you are now a newbie gardener…

Soumya Manthena: “Practicing gardening to be more sustainable was a natural transition for me. I initially began composting in order to find an outlet to make the best out of the in-house waste I produced. And since I was making compost, I wanted to put it to use as well. That is how I began practicing gardening. I am not a ‘plant mommy’ who loves to maintain fancy plants, I always knew I wanted to grow food. And so I began planting saplings that were easy to grow—greens like methi [fenugreek] , dhaniya [coriander], and palak [spinach]. I failed numerous times but the entire process of watching it grow was fun. My gardening journey has been a learning curve for me. I do not grow enough to feed my family but often I manage to grow a few veggies such as brinjals, chillis, and tomatoes. I have also managed to grow turmeric, ginger, potatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. I have a long way to go but I am in no hurry because the key is to never stop trying. My suggestion would be to start by growing microgreens and if possible, maybe add a new fruit or a vegetable. It is truly a rewarding experience and you know what you are putting on your plate.”

C: How did you start your journey with composting?