You can really save on the waste in the kitchen, not only by going to the garbage can more often, but also by spending some money on fresh food, especially vegetables. Some tuber vegetables, but not only, can be easily regrown from their inedible remains. Renewable vegetables can be successfully grown on the windowsill. Children will certainly find this idea particularly exciting, as they can plant something on their own that can later be eaten. It certainly tastes different!
Growing new plants from kitchen scraps should begin at the time of purchase. If you plan to try this creative idea, opt for untreated vegetables that may have been lightly processed with chemicals. The task is intended for children at the beginning of school age, who can be included in the product cycle.
Difficulty level 1 – spring onion
We present 13 suitable types of vegetables (and not only) in the article, divided into three groups according to the level of difficulty. However, they are all equally “difficult” to breed, only some will take longer. For beginners, it is advisable to start with spring onions. Take the scraps that are close to the white roots and cut about 1-2 cm further from the roots. Place them in a shallow container with water and leave them in a sunny place (e.g. on the windowsill). The new shoots will be visible in 3-4 days. Just change the water regularly and only harvest as much as you need.
Garlic: New plants grow from cloves
You can do the same with garlic cloves. Place the toes in a bowl of water, but in such a way that they are not completely covered. When they grow long enough (about 1-2 cm), grow them in a flower pot and water regularly. If you prune the sprouts, the plant will invest all the nutrients in the formation of new garlic bulbs. Then you can repeat the process and harvest your own product.
Romaine lettuce: From kitchen scraps to plants
Romaine lettuce is also ideal as a renewable vegetable. Cut thoseLeaves of lettuceand leave the inner, the so-called heart. Immerse the lower part in the water, but so that the leaves are not in the water. Leave in a sunny place and after 7-10 days you can grow the plant in a flower pot or let it grow even further until it is ready to harvest.
Carrots: New growth from the heads
Place the unused “heads” of the carrots in water. They will soon sprout and grow quickly with regular watering. You can use the leaves finely chopped to sprinkle on salads. You will be amazed at how practical carrots are as a renewable vegetable.
Herbs: Propagate basil without seeds
As an alternative to growing basil from seeds, you can also regrow it from its stems. Choose ones that also have leaves and are long enough to be placed in a glass of water. Leave until they form roots and then plant in flower pots or in the garden.
Celery – difficulty level2
You can regrow the celery soil that is usually left over and then thrown away. Place it in water, but not to cover it. The leaves will grow out of the center and after about 3 days you should grow the plant in the ground.
Onion for fresh spring onions
To grow an onion, use the bottom area with the roots, which is about a third of the entire vegetable. Place the section immediately in the soil, with the tip facing downwards, and moisten regularly. After a few days, when the shoots are visible and about 2 centimeters tall, cover the entire section with soil.
Coriander as a pot plant
You should not waste the otherwise unusable coriander stems because they are a renewable vegetable. Try growing them. Coriander thrives as a houseplant if it gets enough light. Leave the stems in water until they form roots and then plant them in a suitable flower pot.
Use the center of mustard cabbage (bok choy).
With the mustard cabbage they proceed in the same way as with the celery. After fresh leaves have sprouted, place the plant in the ground in the garden or in a sufficiently large flower pot. After a few weeks a new head should be ready to harvest.
Potatoes: New shoots out of sight
The potato forms new shoots from the so-called “eyes” at any moisture level. Leave one or more potatoes at room temperature and also over water containers for a few days and when the shoots become relatively strong and strong enough, you can place the potato in the topsoil. Cover with substrate and keep moist. Over time, your plant's roots will produce new potatoes.
Simply grow ginger yourself
Anyone can easily grow ginger at home. Simply place leftover ginger in the soil with the buds facing up and leave in filtered, out-of-direct sunlight. New roots will soon begin to grow. You can harvest the roots if they are needed in cooking. Alternatively, ginger works well as an undemanding houseplant.
Avocado: Grow from the pit
It should be noted that this DIY project is a little closer to our title. The pineapple and the avocado are actually fruits, but there is a lot of interest in growing them yourself, which is why we want to help with a few tips for a possible and easy planting. Don't throw away the avocado pit. Pierce this with 3-4 toothpicks and secure it over a glass of water. The lower third of the kernel should be in the water. After a few days, roots will form and then you can plant the core in a flower pot.
Pineapple: Grow from the leafy tuft
First remove the pulp from the leaf, but this time a little deeper. About a quarter of the fruit should remain connected to the leaves, then form a stalk with a sharp knife. To prevent it from rotting, you should let it dry for a few days (2-3). After that, the cutting site will be placed in water until it forms roots. After rooting, the tuft of leaves can be planted in a flower pot. To discourage rotting, sprinkle the cut site with charcoal powder before planting.
