In a world where sustainability is gaining momentum, it’s becoming increasingly important to find ways to reduce waste in our daily lives. One surprisingly effective method to achieve this is by re-growing vegetables from the scraps we typically discard. This not only helps to minimize food waste but also provides a rewarding experience as you watch your kitchen scraps transform into fresh, edible greens. Here, we’ll explore 20 vegetables that you can easily re-grow from scraps, offering tips on how to do so effectively.
1. Green Onions
One of the easiest vegetables to re-grow, green onions can thrive in both soil and water. Simply cut off the white root ends, leaving about an inch of the green stalk. Place the root ends in a glass of water or directly in soil, and within a few days, you’ll see fresh shoots sprouting.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce is another leafy green that can be easily re-grown. Cut off the base of a romaine or iceberg lettuce head, and place it in a shallow dish of water. Ensure the water covers just the bottom of the stalk. After a few days, you’ll notice new leaves emerging, and you can transplant it to soil once it grows sufficiently.
3. Celery
To re-grow celery, cut off the base of a stalk and place it in a bowl with about an inch of water. Keep it in a sunny spot, changing the water every few days. It will start to sprout new leaves, which can then be planted in soil for robust growth.
4. Bok Choy
Bok choy is a versatile vegetable that can be re-grown similarly to lettuce. Cut off the bottom of the stalk, and place it in a bowl of water. Within a week, you will see new growth. Once you notice fresh leafy sprouts, plant it in soil to continue its growth.
5. Ginger
Ginger is not only delicious but also shares a simple re-growing process. Purchase a fresh ginger root with visible “eyes” (small buds). Place the ginger in a pot with the knobby side facing up, just below the soil surface. Water it regularly, and soon, you’ll have fresh ginger shoots.
6. Garlic
Re-growing garlic is as simple as planting a clove. Take a garlic bulb and separate the cloves without peeling them. Bury a garlic clove with the pointed side facing up in soil. Water it regularly, and before long, you’ll have fresh garlic sprouts that can be used in various dishes.
7. Potatoes
Potatoes can easily re-grow if you have “seed potatoes” or any leftover potatoes with eyes. Cut the potato into pieces, ensuring that each piece has at least one eye. Let it dry for a day, then plant the pieces in soil. As they grow, you’ll be surprised with a fresh yield of potatoes.
8. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another root vegetable that can be re-grown from scraps. Cut the sweet potato in half and place it in water with the cut side submerged. Within a few weeks, you’ll see shoots sprouting from the top. These can be transferred to soil for further growth.
9. Carrots
You can regrow carrot tops quite easily, although you won’t get new roots. Cut off the top of a carrot and place it in a shallow dish of water. Place it in sunlight, change the water regularly, and in a week, you’ll have feathery carrot greens that can be used in salads or as a garnish.
10. Beets
Like carrots, you can regrow beet tops for a delicious, leafy green addition to salads. Cut the tops off and place the remaining roots in a bowl of water. Keep the bowl in a sunny area, and soon you will see new leaves growing.
11. Fennel
Fennel can be re-grown similarly to celery. Cut off the bulb’s bottom and place it in a bowl of water, covering just the base. Soon, you’ll have fresh fennel fronds sprouting, which can be transferred to soil for continued growth.
12. Romaine Lettuce
Like regular lettuce, romaine lettuce can also be regrown from its base. Place the base in a bowl of water, ensuring the bottom is submerged. After a few days in sunlight, you’ll see new green shoots emerge. Once substantial growth occurs, transplant into the garden.
13. Cilantro
Cilantro can be re-grown by placing the stems in a glass of water. Leave a few inches of the stalks intact, and place them in a sunny spot. Once roots develop, you can transplant them into soil for a continual supply of fresh herbs.
14. Basil
Much like cilantro, basil can be easily renewed. Cut a few inches off a basil stem, leaving a few leaves at the top, and place it in a jar of water. Roots will begin to form within a week, after which you can transplant it into soil for full growth.
15. Mint
Mint is quite forgiving and can be regrown using the same method as basil and cilantro. Simply take a cutting from a healthy mint plant, place it in water, and watch as roots emerge. You can then transfer the mint into the garden or a pot.
16. Chives
Similar to green onions, chives can regrow quite well from their ends. Cut the bulbs off and place them in a glass of water or soil. With consistent sunlight and moisture, you can enjoy fresh chives right from your kitchen scraps.
17. Leeks
You can re-grow leeks by placing the root end in a glass of water. Make sure the water just covers the roots. After a week or so of regular water changes, you’ll have fresh leek greens that can be snipped off and used in cooking.
18. Bell Peppers
To re-grow bell peppers, save the seeds from the fruit. After drying the seeds for a few days, plant them in soil. With the right sun and moisture, you’ll soon have pepper plants that bear fresh fruit in a few months.
19. Tomatoes
Like bell peppers, you can re-grow tomatoes from seeds. Save seeds from a ripe tomato, dry them out, and plant in rich soil. With water and sunlight, you’ll be rewarded with a flourishing tomato plant.
20. Radishes
Radishes can be re-grown from the tops as well. Place the tops of radishes in a bowl of water, ensuring that the leafy parts remain above the waterline. You’ll soon notice new leaf growth, and you can plant the tops into soil for full growth, although root regeneration may vary.
Conclusion
Re-growing vegetables from scraps not only provides an excellent way to reduce waste but also introduces you to the world of gardening, even if it starts in your kitchen. Each of these vegetables has a unique and simple process, making it easy to start your eco-friendly journey. By nurturing these scraps, not only can you enjoy delicious fresh produce, but you’ll also gain a sense of accomplishment and connection to the food you eat. So why not start today? Gather those scraps, place them in water or soil, and watch your garden flourish right from your kitchen!
