You know you can grow your own herbs both indoors and outdoors. But did you know it’s simple to regrow many vegetables from their own leftovers that you would normally toss in the trash (or compost)?
Using kitchen scraps to regrow vegetables is a satisfying, easy, money-saving, and eco-friendly way to enjoy fresh produce while reducing food waste. Plus, no more running to the store when you just need an onion or a clove of garlic to complete your dinner.
Some will regrow in water and others once they sprout roots, you’ll need to plant them in soil. Regardless, it’s a satisfying way to connect with what you're consuming.
Here are some vegetables that you can regrow:
Green Onions (in about a week green tops will grow)
- After using the tops, submerge the root ends in a glass of water
- Change the water every few days
- Keep in a sunny area
Onions
- Place the bottom of the onion in soil with the roots facing down
- Water regularly
Garlic (within a few weeks you’ll see new bulbs and green garlic shoot)
- Plant individual cloves of garlic in soil pointed end up, and cover lightly with soil
- Water regularly
Ginger (new shoots should appear in a few weeks)
- 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
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.
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.
Romaine Lettuce (new leaves will be visible in a week)
- Place the base of a romaine lettuce head in water
- Once the roots are established, transfer them to soil for continued growth
Lettuce (you’ll see new leaves in a week)
- 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
Bok Choy (new shoots in a few days)
- Put the base of bok choy in water
- Set in a sunny spot
- Transplant to soil for continued growth
Kale
- Place kale stems in a dish of water
- Once roots form, transfer the stems to soil
Cabbage (new leaves will sprout from the center in about a week)
- Place the root end of cabbage in water, and new leaves will sprout from the center
- Transfer to soil once new growth appears
Celery (after a few days new shoots emerge from the base)
- Place the base of a celery bunch in a dish of water with the cut side facing up
- Transfer to soil after a week for continued growth
Potatoes
- Cut a sprouted potato into chunks, ensuring each piece has at least one eye (sprout)
- Let them dry for a day, then plant them in soil with the eyes facing up
- Water regularly, and potatoes will grow underground
