These 5 Plants Thrive on Leftovers and Scraps
These 5 Plants Thrive on Leftovers and Scraps
If you’re looking to reduce waste while enjoying fresh produce, consider regrowing these five plants from kitchen scraps. Green onions, basil, lettuce, potatoes, and ginger all thrive on what you might normally toss out. It’s simple, eco-friendly, and surprisingly rewarding. Imagine turning your leftovers into a sustainable harvest right at home. Curious about how to get started with each of these plants? Let’s explore the best methods for regrowing them.
Key Takeaways
- Green onions can regrow from white root ends placed in water, requiring sunlight and water changes for fresh growth.
- Basil thrives from scrap stems in water, needing a sunny spot and regular water changes before transferring to soil.
- Lettuce can sprout from the base placed in shallow water, needing sunlight and water changes for new leaf growth within a week.
- Sprouted potatoes can be cut into pieces with eyes, dried, and planted in soil about four inches deep to grow new shoots.
- Fresh ginger roots with eyes can be planted in moist soil, requiring warmth and sunlight to promote sprouting within a few weeks.
Green Onions
Green onions, also known as scallions, can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen garden, especially since you can easily regrow them from kitchen scraps.
Simply save the white root ends after using the green tops.
Place them in a glass with water, ensuring the roots are submerged, and set it in a sunny spot.
Change the water every few days, and within a week, you’ll see new growth!
This simple method makes green onions one of the easiest plants from scraps to cultivate. Not only do they provide fresh flavor, but they also exemplify how easy-to-regrow vegetables can help reduce kitchen waste!
You’ll have a fresh supply ready for salads, soups, and more, all while reducing kitchen waste!
Basil
If you’ve enjoyed the fresh taste of green onions, you might want to try your hand at growing basil from kitchen scraps.
Simply take a handful of basil stems, making sure they’ve a few leaves and nodes. Place them in a glass of water, ensuring the nodes are submerged.
Set the glass in a sunny spot and change the water every few days.
In just a week or two, you’ll see roots forming! Once they’re a few inches long, transfer your basil to a pot with soil.
Soon, you’ll have fresh basil ready for your favorite dishes! Additionally, basil is one of the easiest herbs to regrow from scraps, making it a great choice for beginners looking to start a mini herb garden.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a versatile and refreshing addition to any meal, and you can easily regrow it from kitchen scraps.
To start, take the base of a head of lettuce and place it in a shallow bowl with about an inch of water. Position it in a sunny spot and change the water every couple of days.
Within a week, you’ll notice new leaves sprouting. Once the roots are a few inches long, transfer it to soil for even better growth.
You’ll not only reduce waste but also enjoy fresh lettuce right from your kitchen—it’s a win-win! Additionally, lettuce is one of the resilient plants that can thrive with minimal resources, making it perfect for beginner gardeners.
Potato
Potatoes are another fantastic option for regrowing kitchen scraps, and they offer a hearty addition to your meals.
To get started, simply take a potato that’s sprouted eyes. Cut it into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one eye. Let the pieces dry for a day to prevent rot, then plant them about four inches deep in rich soil.
Water them regularly, and soon you’ll see green shoots emerging! Additionally, growing potatoes from scraps is a great way to practice reusing kitchen scraps and contribute to a sustainable gardening practice.
In about three months, you can harvest your homegrown potatoes.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own delicious food right at home!
Ginger
Ginger is a versatile and aromatic plant that can easily thrive from kitchen scraps, adding a spicy kick to your dishes.
To grow ginger, simply take a piece of fresh ginger root with visible eyes and place it in a pot filled with well-draining soil.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and place the pot in a warm, sunny spot.
Within a few weeks, you’ll see new shoots sprouting! Additionally, you can regrow ginger in water by placing the ginger root in a glass of water, ensuring the eyes are submerged.
Harvest the roots when they’re plump and fragrant.
Not only will you enjoy fresh ginger in your meals, but you’ll also reduce waste and cultivate your own kitchen garden.
