Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is not only a fun and rewarding gardening activity but also a sustainable way to reduce waste and keep a continuous supply of fresh produce in your home.
The Truth About Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps
Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is a reliable method for growing fresh produce using parts of the vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. The key to success lies in understanding which vegetables can be regrown, how to properly regrow them, and maintaining the right conditions for growth.
Benefits of Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps
– Cost-Effective: Growing vegetables from scraps saves money by providing a free source of fresh produce.
– Reduces Waste: Instead of tossing your scraps into compost or trash, you can turn them into new plants, reducing food waste.
– Eco-Friendly: Growing your own vegetables at home helps reduce your carbon footprint and dependence on store-bought produce.
– Satisfying and Fun: Watching new plants sprout from kitchen scraps is a fun and educational activity for the whole family.
While regrowing vegetables from scraps won’t completely replace your grocery store trips, it’s a fantastic way to supplement your fresh produce supply and engage in sustainable gardening.
20 Vegetables You Can Regrow from Scraps
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
– Place the root ends in a glass of water with the roots submerged.
– Keep it in a sunny spot and change the water every few days.
– In about a week, the green tops will regrow.
2. Lettuce
– Place the bottom of a lettuce head in a shallow dish of water, cut side up.
– Set it in a sunny location and change the water every couple of days.
– After a week, new leaves will sprout from the center.
3. Celery
– Place the base of a celery bunch in a dish of water with the cut side facing up.
– After a few days, new shoots will start to grow from the center.
– Transfer to soil after a week for continued growth.
4. Carrots (Tops)
– Cut off the carrot tops and place them in a shallow dish of water.
– In a few days, green tops will begin to grow, which can be harvested.
5. Garlic
– Plant individual cloves of garlic in soil, pointed end up, and cover lightly with soil.
– Water regularly, and green shoots will emerge within a few weeks. These can be used like scallions, while the bulb continues to grow.
6. Ginger
– Plant a piece of ginger root with growth buds (eyes) facing up in moist soil.
– Place in a warm location with indirect light, and water sparingly. New shoots will appear, and the ginger root will grow.
7. Potatoes
– Cut the sprouted potato into chunks, ensuring each piece has at least one eye (sprout).
– Let them dry for a day, then plant in soil with the eyes facing up. Water regularly, and potatoes will grow underground.
8. Sweet Potatoes
– Place a half-sweet potato in water with the cut side down and the top above water.
– Once the slips (shoots) grow, remove them and plant in soil.
9. Basil
– Place basil stems with a few leaves in a glass of water, and place in a sunny spot.
– Once the roots form, transfer the cuttings to soil.
10. Cilantro
– Place cilantro stems in a glass of water.
– Once roots develop, transfer the stems to soil to continue growing.
11. Leeks
– Place the white base of leeks in a glass of water with the roots submerged.
– Set the glass in a sunny area, and new green shoots will begin to grow.
12. Romaine Lettuce
– Place the base of a romaine lettuce head in water, and after a week, new leaves will sprout.
– Once the roots are established, transfer to soil for continued growth.
13. Onions
– Place the bottom of the onion in soil with the roots facing down.
– Water regularly, and the onion will regrow.
14. Fennel
– Place the base of the fennel bulb in water, and new growth will appear from the center.
– Transfer to soil after about a week.
15. Bok Choy
– Place the base of bok choy in water and set it in a sunny spot.
– New shoots will emerge in a few days, and you can transfer it to soil for continued growth.
16. Turnips
– Place the tops of turnips in water, and new greens will sprout from the top. These greens are edible and can be harvested.
17. Beets (Greens)
– Place beet tops in a shallow dish of water.
– New leaves will grow within a few days, which can be harvested for salads and sautés.
18. Kale
– Place kale stems in a dish of water until new shoots appear.
– Once roots form, transfer the stems to soil for full growth.
19. Cabbage
– Place the root end of cabbage in water, and new leaves will sprout from the center.
– Transfer to soil once new growth appears.
20. Scallions
– Place the white root end in a glass of water, and new green shoots will appear within days.
– Keep in a sunny spot and harvest as needed.
Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is a simple and eco-friendly way to enjoy fresh produce while reducing food waste.
Source: Gardening Souls
