Before you throw away those vegetable cuttings and scraps from your kitchen, consider this: with a little bit of know-how and minimal effort, you can turn them into a thriving garden that provides you with fresh, free produce.
In the United States alone, food waste is estimated to be between 30-40 percent1 of the food supply, which corresponded to about 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food in 2010. This not only hurts our wallets but also contributes to global warming, as food waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
But what if we could reduce this waste and grow our own food at the same time? Turns out, many common vegetables can be easily regrown from scraps and cuttings, giving you an endless supply of fresh produce without the need to buy more.
Here are 12 vegetables that are the perfect starting point for your own kitchen scrap garden.
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1. Grow Endless Lettuce from a Single Head
Lettuce, bok choy, and cabbage are some of the easiest veggies to regrow from scraps.
Simply place the leftover leaves in a bowl with a bit of water and keep it in a sunny spot. Mist the leaves a couple of times a week, and within 3-4 days, you’ll notice roots and new leaves appearing.
Transplant them into soil and enjoy your homegrown greens.
2. Celery: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Celery is incredibly easy to propagate from scraps. Cut off the base of your celery bunch and place it in a shallow bowl with warm water. Keep the bowl in direct sunlight, and within a week, you’ll see the leaves thickening and growing.
Once this happens, transplant your celery into soil and watch it reach full length.
3. Spice Up Your Life with Homegrown Ginger
Growing ginger is as simple as planting a piece of ginger root in potting soil with the buds facing up. Keep the pot in a warm, sunny spot, and once new shoots and roots appear, it’s ready to use.
You can even store unused portions in the freezer for later.
4. Peppers: From Seeds to Salsa
Peppers and chilies can be grown from the seeds left over after cooking. Collect the seeds, plant them in potting soil, and keep them in direct sunlight.
If the weather is warm, you can plant them directly in your garden.
Peppers grow relatively quickly and don’t require much care. Save some of the seeds from your new crop for replanting.
5. Fennel: A Flavorful Addition to Your Garden
To regrow fennel, keep about an inch of the base and place it in a container with a cup of water. Leave it in direct sunlight, like on a windowsill.
When you notice strong roots and new green shoots emerging from the center of the base, it’s time to transplant your fennel into soil.
6. Onions: A Staple in Every Kitchen
Onions are another easy vegetable to propagate. Cut a one-inch piece off the root end of an onion and place it on the ground or in a shallow bowl of water, with the cut surface above the water.
It will soon begin to regenerate its roots, which can then be planted in soil.
7. Garlic: Ward Off Vampires & Grow Your Own
To propagate garlic, take a clove and plant it with the roots facing down in potting soil. Keep the pot in direct sunlight and in a warm place.
When new shoots appear, cut them back and wait for the bulb to form, which is when it’s ready to use.
8. Sweet Potatoes: A Tasty & Decorative Addition
Sweet potatoes can be propagated by cutting them in half and suspending them using toothpicks above a container of shallow water. Roots will appear within a few days, and sprouts will be visible on top of the potato.
Once the sprouts reach about 6 inches, twist them off and place them in a container of water. When the roots in this container reach a couple of inches, plant them in soil.
9. Tomatoes: From Seed to Sauce
Tomatoes can be grown by saving the seeds from ripe fruits. Rinse off the seedy pulp and allow the seeds to dry thoroughly. Plant them in a container indoors until they sprout and reach a few inches tall, then transplant them outdoors.
10. Basil: Fresh Herbs at Your Fingertips
To propagate basil, take a 4-inch stem cutting and place it in a glass of water with the leaves above the waterline. Leave the glass in a bright area but not in direct sunlight.
When the roots reach about 2 inches long, transplant the basil into a pot.
11. Cilantro: A Must-Have for Guacamole Lovers
Cilantro can be propagated by placing the bottom of the stem in a glass of water and leaving it in a bright area, like a windowsill. Once the roots grow to about 2 inches long, transplant the cilantro into a pot. You’ll notice new sprigs in just a few weeks.
12. Turnips & Other Root Vegetables
Turnips, beets, and parsnips are root vegetables that grow well from scraps. Keep the tops of the vegetables and place them in a container of water. In a few days, you’ll see new green tops growing.
Allow the root to continue growing until it’s ready to be transplanted into the ground.
Source:
1. United States Department of Agriculture
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.