Hello, garden enthusiasts and eco-conscious foodies! Get ready for the extended edition of our guide on how to give your vegetables and herbs a second life.
Spring Onions
Regrowth Time: 7-14 Days
Difficulty: Easier than explaining what NFTs are to your grandma.
Seasonality: Year-round
How to Pick in Store
Look for bulbs with fresh, white roots attached. The greener the tops, the better.
Steps
- Cut: Leave about 2 inches from the root end.
- Submerge: Place it in a glass with enough water to cover the roots.
- Sunny Spot: Place the glass near a sunny window.
Pro Tips
- Change the water every other day.
- When you transplant them into soil, they’ll be more robust. Plant them 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
Basil
Regrowth Time: 14-21 Days
Difficulty: Beginner level for garden ninjas.
Seasonality: Late spring to early fall
How to Pick in Store
Look for healthy, vibrant leaves. Avoid any signs of wilting or brown spots.
Steps
- Snip: Choose a stem that is about 4-5 inches long with several leaves.
- Prune: Remove leaves from the bottom 2 inches.
- Water Haven: Place the stem in a glass of water.
- Soil Time: Once roots reach about 2 inches, transplant it into soil.
Pro Tips
- A pinch of sugar in the water can stimulate root growth.
- Keep it in indirect sunlight while in water to avoid algae formation.
Lettuce
Regrowth Time: 10-12 Days
Difficulty: Like making a TikTok video, only more rewarding.
Seasonality: Spring and fall
How to Pick in Store
Go for lettuce with healthy, green leaves. The root base should be clean and not too brown.
Steps
- Preserve: Save about 2 inches from the base of the lettuce.
- Bowl: Place it in a bowl with a small amount of water.
- Sunlight: Put the bowl in a sunny window.
Pro Tips
- Change the water every two days.
- When leaves sprout to 4-5 inches, transplant them into soil for more growth.
Celery
Regrowth Time: 7-14 Days for sprouting; matures in 3-4 months
Difficulty: As complicated as deciding on a Netflix show.
Seasonality: Fall and spring
How to Pick in Store
Opt for celery with fresh-looking stalks and vibrant green leaves.
Steps
- Slice: Cut off about 2 inches from the base.
- Shallow Bath: Place it in a shallow bowl with water.
- Sun-Bathe: Put the bowl in a sunny window.
Pro Tips
- Replace the water every two days.
- Once you see leaves, plant it in soil about 1 inch deep.
Carrots
Regrowth Time: Greens sprout in 7-14 days; full maturity in 2-3 months
Difficulty: So simple, a rabbit could probably do it.
Seasonality: Early spring to late fall
How to Pick in Store
Go for carrots that have fresh, vibrant greens still attached.
Steps
- Top Off: Use the top part of your carrot with leaves still on it.
- Pierce: Insert toothpicks around the sides.
- Suspend: Place it over a glass filled with water.
Pro Tips
- You’re growing carrot greens, not another carrot. These greens can be used in salads or as garnish.
- Opt for a sunny window for better results.
Garlic
Regrowth Time: Sprouts in 7-10 days; matures in 8-9 months
Difficulty: Less scary than a vampire romance novel.
Seasonality: Fall
How to Pick in Store
Select a garlic bulb that is plump and has unbroken skin.
Steps
- Pick: Use a healthy garlic clove.
- Plant: Stick it root-end down in a pot of soil.
- Care: Place it in a sunny area and water moderately.
Pro Tips
- Fertilize with nitrogen for best results.
- Separate the garlic bulbs and replant them once the leaves have browned.
Romaine Lettuce
Regrowth Time: 10-12 Days
Difficulty: Easy peasy lettuce squeezy.
Seasonality: Spring and fall
How to Pick in Store
Select heads of romaine that are tightly packed with crisp, dark-green leaves.
Steps
- Chop: Save the last 2 inches from the base.
- Bowl + Water: Place it in a bowl with a small amount of water.
- Sunshine: Move the bowl to a sunny window.
Pro Tips
- Change water every 2 days.
- Transplant to soil once it’s tall enough, just like regular lettuce.
Ginger
Regrowth Time: Sprouts in 2-3 weeks; matures in 8-10 months
Difficulty: Challenging, but gingerly so.
Seasonality: Late winter to early spring
How to Pick in Store
Look for ginger roots with multiple eye buds protruding (the little points you see on the surface).
Steps
- Pick: Choose a piece of ginger with visible eyes (little nodules).
- Plant: Place it in a pot with the eyes facing up and cover lightly with soil.
- Wait: Keep it in indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist.
Pro Tips
- Ginger loves humidity. Consider placing a saucer of water near the plant.
- Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
Potatoes
Regrowth Time: 60-110 Days
Difficulty: Mash-tastically easy.
Seasonality: Spring
How to Pick in Store
Choose organic potatoes if possible, as they are less likely to have sprout inhibitors.
Steps
- Slice: Cut a potato into halves or quarters, ensuring each piece has at least one “eye.”
- Dry: Allow them to dry for a day or two.
- Plant: Plant them about 3 inches deep in soil.
Pro Tips
- Plant them in hills or rows for easier harvesting.
- Be patient, as potatoes can take time to grow.
Fennel
Regrowth Time: 10-14 Days
Difficulty: Not as tough as its anise flavor.
Seasonality: Early spring and fall
How to Pick in Store
Look for fennel with bright green stalks and fresh fronds.
Steps
- Trim: Cut off the bottom inch from the fennel base.
- Water Bowl: Place it in a bowl with water.
- Sunlight: Put the bowl in a sunny spot.
Pro Tips
- Like most plants on this list, fennel likes fresh water every 2 days.
- You can transplant to soil for a more extensive root system.
Cilantro
Regrowth Time: 14-20 Days
Difficulty: So easy, even if you think cilantro tastes like soap.
Seasonality: Spring and fall
How to Pick in Store
Choose a bunch with fresh, green leaves and avoid any with yellow or wilted leaves.
Steps
- Trim: Cut off the bottom inch from the stems.
- Water Glass: Place them in a glass with water.
- Wait: Once roots appear, transplant them into a pot with soil.
Pro Tips
- Keep the water level consistent.
- Place the glass in a bright but indirectly lit area.
Conclusion
Regrowing vegetables and herbs from kitchen scraps isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s also incredibly satisfying. You’re giving new life to something that would otherwise go to waste. Happy regrowing!
Happy gardening!
