Are you looking to make the most out of your kitchen scraps while saving a little money on groceries? You might be surprised to learn that many common vegetables and herbs can be regrown from leftover scraps. Not only does this practice reduce food waste, but it also enables you to enjoy fresh, organic produce right at home. Below, we explore 20 vegetables and herbs that you can easily regrow from kitchen scraps, turning what would otherwise be garbage into a source of fresh, nutritious food.
The Benefits of Regrowing Vegetables
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s worth noting the broader benefits of regrowing vegetables and herbs from scraps:
- Cost Savings: Organic produce can be significantly more expensive than conventional options. By regrowing your own vegetables, you can save money on groceries.
- Sustainability: Regrowing food helps reduce waste and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle. You’re giving new life to what would otherwise go to the compost pile.
- Freshness: There’s nothing quite like freshly harvested ingredients. Regrowing your own food ensures that you’ll have access to fresh herbs and vegetables whenever you need them.
- Educational: For families, this can be a fun and educational experience. Children can learn about gardening, nutrition, and the life cycle of plants while getting hands-on experience.
Now, let’s get into the 20 vegetables and herbs you can regrow from scraps!
1. Romaine Lettuce
To regrow romaine lettuce, keep the base of the lettuce in a shallow bowl filled with about ½ inch of warm water. Place it in direct sunlight, and within a week or two, you’ll start to see new leaves sprouting. Once the leaves are a few inches tall, transplant the lettuce into soil to continue growing. If you also enjoy Bok Choy, this method works wonders for that vegetable too!
2. Garlic Sprouts
The greens growing out of your garlic cloves aren’t just for show—they’re garlic sprouts! Place a clove with the green shoots in a glass of water, making sure the shoots are submerged. Leave it in a sunny spot, and soon you’ll have a fresh batch of garlic sprouts. They have a milder taste compared to garlic cloves and can be used in salads or as garnishes.
3. Carrots
To regrow carrots, trim off the tops and place them in a shallow container of water. In a matter of days, you will begin to see green tops sprouting from the carrot tops. For a more substantial regrowth, utilize a deeper container and secure the carrots partially in water using toothpicks. Once roots develop, you can transplant the carrots into your garden soil.
4. Turnips
Like carrots, turnips can be regrown from their tops. Cut the tops off and place them in a shallow dish with water, and roots will begin to sprout within a couple of weeks. Once they have a good root system, transplant them into the garden just like you would with carrots.
5. Sweet Potatoes
Regrowing sweet potatoes is a bit different; they’re started from slips rather than seeds. To produce slips, cut a sweet potato in half and place it partially submerged in a jar of water using toothpicks. In no time, you will see shoots sprouting. Once they have roots, plant them in loose, well-draining soil. Water daily for the first week and then every other day thereafter.
6. Ginger
Look for ginger pieces that have small sprouts or “eyes” on them. Cut those sprouting sections off and plant them about 3-5 inches deep in soil, ensuring the shoots are pointing upwards. Ginger thrives in warm, humid conditions, making your kitchen an ideal environment. Though it takes about ten months to grow a significant amount, the health benefits of fresh ginger are well worth the wait!
7. Pineapple
Growing a pineapple is a long-term investment but can be quite rewarding. Cut the crown off a pineapple about an inch below the leaves and trim the base to expose the root buds. Allow the crown to dry out for a couple of days and then place it in a shallow container of warm water. Once roots emerge, plant it in soil, keeping it in a sunny spot. Be prepared for a wait, as it can take a couple of years to harvest a fruit.
8. Rosemary
You can propagate rosemary by taking 5-6 inch cuttings. Place the cuttings in water and watch as they develop roots in a few weeks. Once rooted, plant them in damp potting soil in a pot. Provide ample sunlight, requiring 6-8 hours daily, and only water when the soil is dry.
9. Potatoes
To regrow potatoes, look for ones with “eyes.” Cut the potatoes into pieces with one or two eyes each and let them dry for a day to help prevent rot. Plant them about 8 inches deep in a pot, placing the eyes facing upward. As they grow, keep mounding soil as more roots develop. In approximately 70 days, you may have a bountiful harvest.
10. Tomatoes
To regrow tomato plants, take the method a step further. You can easily turn unwanted tomato scraps into new plants. Simply take cuttings from a healthy tomato plant, and during planting, remember to remove the lower leaves before positioning them in soil. They can grow to impressive heights, providing you with plenty of ripe tomatoes.
11. Celery
Celery regrowth follows a simple process. Cut the base off a celery stalk and place it in a basin with a little warm water. After a week in sunlight, you’ll see leaves starting to sprout. Once sufficiently grown, transplant it into soil for continued growth.
12. Cabbage
Don’t discard the bottom stump of a cabbage—regrowth is possible! Place the stump in a bowl with an inch or two of water and set it in a well-lit space. Give it time, and you’ll see new leaves sprouting without needing to plant it in soil.
13. Avocado
Yes, you can grow an avocado tree from just the pit! Clean the pit and insert three toothpicks to suspend it over a glass of water. The bottom half should be submerged. In a few weeks, roots will develop, followed by sprouting leaves. After several months, consider transferring your young avocado tree into a pot with soil.
14. Mint
To regrow mint, take a cutting that’s at least 3 inches long and plant it in a soil-filled pot about 3 inches deep. Place it in a humid area with ample sunlight. Rotate the pot every few days to encourage even growth. Within a few weeks, you’ll have fresh mint ready for culinary use.
15. Lemons
You can grow a lemon tree from a seed! First, obtain an organic lemon with viable seeds. Plant the seeds in nutrient-rich soil and provide plenty of sunlight and warmth. Over time, these seeds will germinate and grow into lemon trees, which can take a few years to bear fruit.
16. Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be a fun project for indoor gardening. You can often regrow mushrooms from spores found in the caps left behind. Set up a growing environment using a suitable growing medium, and with patience, fresh mushrooms will sprout.
17. Peppers
Hot peppers can be easily regrown from seeds. Collect seeds from peppers like habaneros or jalapeños. Plant them in potting soil, keeping them in a sunny location. Peppers grow quickly and are relatively low-maintenance, making them a great option for regrowing.
18. Scallions (Green Onions)
Regrowing scallions is incredibly easy! Leave about an inch of the root attached to your leftover scallion, place it in a glass of water, and make sure to top off the water as it evaporates. In just a few days, you’ll have fresh scallions ready to add to your meals!
19. Basil
Got some leftover basil clippings? Place them in a glass of water with stems submerged. Ensure they get plenty of sunlight, and before long, you’ll see roots grow. Once they’re a few inches long, you can transplant them into soil for continual harvesting.
20. Onions
Lastly, regrowing onions requires directly planting the root end in soil. Simply take the bottom part of the onion and plant it in a pot, or directly outdoors. Water it as needed, and roots will develop within a few weeks, followed by the growth of green leaves.
Conclusion
As you can see, regrowing vegetables and herbs from scraps is not only possible but incredibly straightforward. Most techniques involve using a container of water and placing the scraps in direct sunlight, making it an accessible project for anyone, regardless of their gardening experience. This sustainable practice not only saves you money but also ensures you’re consuming fresh, organic food. So, why not start with one of these options? Take advantage of those kitchen scraps and enjoy a rewarding gardening experience right in your own home!
