Regrowing Kitchen Scraps: A Simple Guide to Sustainable Gardening
Ever wonder if you could do more with those leftover kitchen scraps? Instead of tossing them into the compost or trash, you can turn them into something fresh and useful! Regrowing kitchen scraps is a fun, eco-friendly practice that lets you enjoy fresh produce right from your windowsill. It’s perfect for beginners, and you don’t need a green thumb to get started.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the basics of kitchen scrap gardening, show you how easy it is, and provide a handy table of 40 common kitchen scraps you can regrow, either within three or six months.
Why Regrow Kitchen Scraps?
- Reduce Waste: Keep those scraps out of the landfill and put them to good use.
- Save Money: Enjoy fresh herbs, veggies, and more without constantly buying new ones.
- Eco-Friendly: Growing your own food, even from scraps, reduces your carbon footprint.
- Fun and Educational: It’s a great project for kids and adults alike, allowing you to witness the miracle of growth.
Getting Started
Regrowing kitchen scraps doesn’t require any special equipment—just a few containers, some water, and a sunny spot. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide and two detailed tables to help you get started with common kitchen scraps that can regrow in either three or six months.
Step-by-Step Guide to Regrowing Kitchen Scraps
- Choose Your Scraps: Start with the parts of vegetables, herbs, or fruits that you usually discard. These can include the bases of leafy greens, the tops of root vegetables, or even cuttings from herbs.
- Prepare the Scraps: Depending on the type of scrap, you may need to place it in water or plant it directly in soil. Each scrap has its own needs, so it’s important to follow the right method for each type.
- Place in a Sunny Spot: Most scraps will need plenty of natural light to regrow. A sunny windowsill is usually ideal.
- Change the Water Regularly: If you’re starting your scraps in water, be sure to change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent mold.
- Transplant to Soil (Optional): Once roots have formed or the plant has started to grow, you can transfer it to a pot with soil for further growth.
- Care for Your Plants: Water your plants regularly and keep them in a sunny location. As your plants grow, you can start harvesting the new leaves, stems, or roots.
20 Kitchen Scraps You Can Regrow in 3 Months
Here’s a handy table of 20 common kitchen scraps that you can regrow and enjoy within three months. For each, we’ve listed which part of the scrap to use, how to prepare it, how to care for it, and how long it will take to produce usable parts.
| Plant | Section of Scrap | Preparation Method | Care Instructions | Time to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Onions | White base with roots | Place in a jar with water, roots down | Change water every 2-3 days; transplant to soil once roots grow longer | 1-2 weeks |
| Lettuce | Bottom 2-3 inches of base | Place in a shallow dish with water | Change water every few days; transplant to soil when new leaves sprout | 2-3 weeks |
| Celery | Base | Place in a shallow dish with water | Change water regularly; transfer to soil once leaves appear | 3-4 weeks |
| Carrot Tops | Top of carrot | Place in a shallow dish with water, root side down | Change water every 2-3 days; leaves can be harvested for garnish | 3-4 weeks |
| Garlic | Single clove | Plant directly in soil, root side down | Water lightly; sprouts can be harvested as garlic greens | 2-3 months |
| Potatoes | Cut pieces with “eyes” | Allow cuts to dry, then plant in soil | Keep soil moist; harvest new potatoes once the plant flowers | 2-3 months |
| Basil | Stem cutting | Place in water, ensure leaves aren’t submerged | Change water regularly; transplant to soil once roots form | 3-4 weeks |
| Mint | Stem cutting | Place in water, ensure leaves aren’t submerged | Change water every few days; transplant when roots develop | 3-4 weeks |
| Beet Tops | Top of beet | Place in a shallow dish with water, root side down | Change water regularly; use leaves in salads once grown | 2-3 weeks |
| Romaine Lettuce | Base | Place in water, root side down | Change water regularly; transplant to soil when roots form | 3-4 weeks |
| Scallions | White base with roots | Place in a glass with water, roots down | Change water every few days; transplant to soil when new shoots appear | 1-2 weeks |
| Cabbage | Base | Place in a shallow dish with water | Change water regularly; transplant to soil when roots appear | 4-6 weeks |
| Leeks | Base with roots | Place in a shallow dish with water, roots down | Change water regularly; transplant to soil when roots grow longer | 2-3 weeks |
| Turnip Greens | Top of turnip | Place in a shallow dish with water, root side down | Change water regularly; harvest greens for salads | 3-4 weeks |
| Sweet Potatoes | Slips (sprouts from the potato) | Plant slips in soil after cutting from potato | Water regularly; harvest leaves or new potatoes after 2-3 months | 2-3 months |
| Ginger | Small piece with “eyes” | Plant in soil with “eyes” facing up | Keep soil moist; harvest ginger once shoots and leaves appear | 2-3 months |
| Onions | Bottom with roots | Place in a shallow dish with water | Change water regularly; transplant to soil once roots form | 2-3 months |
| Fennel | Bottom 1-2 inches of base | Place in a shallow dish with water | Change water every few days; transplant to soil when new growth appears | 2-3 months |
| Pineapple | Top of the fruit | Cut the top, dry it, and plant in soil | Water sparingly; new growth should appear in 1-2 months | 2-3 months (roots) |
| Rosemary | Stem cutting | Place in water, ensure leaves aren’t submerged | Change water regularly; transplant to soil when roots form | 2-3 months |
20 Kitchen Scraps You Can Regrow in 6 Months
If you’re up for a slightly longer project, here are 20 more kitchen scraps that can be regrown within six months. These will take a bit longer, but the rewards are well worth the wait!
| Plant | Section of Scrap | Preparation Method | Care Instructions | Time to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | Pit | Suspend pit in water with toothpicks | Change water regularly; plant in soil once roots and sprout form | 4-6 months (for small tree) |
| Lemongrass | Bottom 2-3 inches of stalk | Place in water, roots down | Change water every few days; transplant to soil when roots appear | 4-6 months |
| Tomatoes | Seeds from fresh tomato | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Keep soil moist; seedlings can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Bell Peppers | Seeds from fresh pepper | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Keep soil moist; seedlings can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Chili Peppers | Seeds from fresh pepper | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Keep soil moist; seedlings can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Squash | Seeds from fresh squash | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Pumpkin | Seeds from fresh pumpkin | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; seedlings can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Mango | Pit | Remove outer shell, then plant in soil | Water regularly; new growth should appear in 4-6 weeks | 4-6 months (for small tree) |
| Apple | Seeds from fresh apple | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; seedlings can be transplanted outdoors | 6 months (for small tree) |
| Peach | Pit | Clean and plant in soil | Water regularly; seedling can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for small tree) |
| Plum | Pit | Clean and plant in soil | Water regularly; seedling can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for small tree) |
| Apricot | Pit | Clean and plant in soil | Water regularly; seedling can be transplanted outdoors | 5-6 months (for small tree) |
| Fig | Cutting | Place cutting in water, then plant in soil | Keep soil moist; transplant to larger pot once roots develop | 5-6 months (for fruit) |
| Grapes | Cuttings | Place in water until roots form, then plant in soil | Water regularly; transplant when strong roots form | 6 months (for fruit) |
| Rhubarb | Root division | Plant root divisions directly in soil | Water regularly; harvest stalks once plant matures | 5-6 months (for stalks) |
| Asparagus | Root crowns | Plant crowns directly in soil | Water regularly; harvest spears when mature | 6 months (for spears) |
| Artichoke | Root division | Plant root divisions directly in soil | Water regularly; harvest buds once they form | 6 months (for buds) |
| Chives | Divided clumps | Plant clumps directly in soil | Water regularly; harvest leaves once they grow | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
| Horseradish | Root cutting | Plant root cuttings in soil | Water regularly; harvest roots once they mature | 5-6 months (for roots) |
| Shallots | Bulbs | Plant bulbs directly in soil | Water regularly; harvest bulbs once mature | 5-6 months (for bulbs) |
| Oregano | Cuttings | Place cuttings in water until roots form, then plant in soil | Water regularly; transplant once roots develop | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
| Thyme | Cuttings | Place cuttings in water until roots form, then plant in soil | Water regularly; transplant once roots develop | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
| Dill | Seeds from fresh dill | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; harvest leaves once they grow | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
| Coriander (Cilantro) | Seeds from fresh cilantro | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; harvest leaves once they grow | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
| Tarragon | Cuttings | Place cuttings in water until roots form, then plant in soil | Water regularly; transplant once roots develop | 5-6 months (for leaves) |
| Chervil | Seeds from fresh chervil | Dry seeds, then plant in soil | Water regularly; harvest leaves once they grow | 4-6 months (for leaves) |
Regrowing kitchen scraps is a rewarding and sustainable way to reduce waste, save money, and enjoy fresh produce right from your home. With a little effort and patience, you can turn everyday leftovers into thriving plants that provide fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
Whether you’re starting with quick-to-grow scraps or more long-term projects, this simple practice is a fantastic way to enhance your gardening skills and contribute to a greener planet. So next time you prep a meal, remember that those scraps could be the start of your next mini garden adventure.
Happy gardening!!