Don’t Toss Those Green Onions! Here Are 9 Foods You Can Regrow From Kitchen Scraps
Before you toss those food scraps in the compost or trash, wait — some of them can sprout into fresh ingredients right on your windowsill. Regrowing kitchen scraps is a simple way to save money, reduce food waste and build your own little garden. Here are nine common food scraps you can regrow at home, no green thumb required.
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Green Onions
Green onions are among the easiest foods to regrow. Just place the white roots in a glass of water and set them near a window. You’ll see new green shoots in just a few days. Change the water every couple of days, and snip what you need.
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Celery
Don’t toss the celery base! Place the bottom inch in a shallow bowl of water and set it in a sunny spot. In about a week, you’ll see new leaves emerging from the center. Once it grows stronger, you can transplant it into soil.
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Lettuce
You can regrow romaine, butter or leaf lettuce from the stem. Keep the bottom 2 inches in water, and in about a week, new leaves will begin to sprout. This method works best with fresh, unwilted scraps.
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Potatoes
Those sprouted spuds in your pantry are perfect for regrowing. Cut them into chunks with at least one “eye” per piece and let them dry out for a day. Then plant them in soil with the eye facing up. In a few months, you’ll harvest a fresh crop.
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Garlic
Garlic cloves that start sprouting are ready to grow. Plant a single clove root-side down in a small pot of soil. Keep it in sunlight and water sparingly. Eventually, you’ll grow a whole new bulb—and save yourself a trip to the store.
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Basil
Got leftover basil stems? Place a 4-inch cutting in water, removing the leaves near the bottom. After roots appear (usually within a week), transplant it into soil. With a little care, you’ll have fresh basil year-round.
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Carrot Tops
You can’t grow new carrots from the tops, but you can grow greens that are perfect for garnishes, pesto or smoothies. Place carrot tops in a shallow dish with water, and they’ll regrow in a few days.
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Pineapple
Yes, you can grow a pineapple from its top! Twist off the leafy crown, remove the lower leaves, and let it dry for a day or two. Then plant it in soil and place it in a sunny location. It takes patience — up to two years — but it’s a fun experiment.
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Ginger
Ginger roots can be regrown by placing a piece in soil with the buds facing up. Keep it moist and warm, and soon you’ll see shoots and new roots forming. Ginger grows slowly, but it’s rewarding — and delicious.
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