5 Best Vegetables to Grow from Scraps

For those of us that don’t have back yards and gardens, or live in a climate where it snows for nearly 6 months of the year, growing vegetables, herbs, and other plants inside may be the only option. Growing your own food is amazing, and rewarding, and on top of all things allows you to save money. In this article we will provide an overview of the best vegetables to grow from scraps.

Most people can’t wait months for vegetable and herbs to mature from seedlings. But, don’t worry you can actually grow a variety of vegetables and herbs from scraps that you would have otherwise thrown in the garbage or compost bin.

Growing vegetables and herbs from scraps is very simple and can be done without any fancy and expensive growing devices or lights. Our top 5 best vegetables to grow from scraps include:

Best Vegetables to Grow from Scraps

• Lettuce
• Green Onion
• Basil, Mint, and Cilantro
• Carrots
• Garlic Scapes

Re-Growing Romaine Lettuce from Scraps

Romaine lettuce is such an easy vegetable to re-grow; however, starting this plant from a seed is not so easy and requires a lot of work and time. To regrow romaine lettuce from scraps all you need is the stump of your used lettuce and a disposable cup filled with water.  Simply place the lettuce stump in the cup of water. You may also wish to place some toothpicks in the stump and have it sit along the cups rim. This will help with stabilizing your plant. After a few days in a bright area you will begin to see new roots emerging and new lettuce leaves emerging. After a few weeks you will have enough romaine lettuce to make a nice salad!

To help with growth, feel free to empty the water in the cup once per week and refill it with fresh water. You may also wish to introduce some hydroponic fertilizer into the water for even better growth.

Re-Growing Green Onion from Scraps

Green onion is one of our most favorited vegetables since it can be used in many types of cooking. Green Onion is also one of the easiest vegetables to regrow from scraps. All you have to do is save the root and approximately 1 inch of the bottom of the green onion and place it in a cup of water. Within a few days you will see new root growth and within 2-3 weeks your green onion will be around 12 inches in height and ready to eat. If you want, you can also replant your green onion ends into potting soil, however, make sure to water every 2-3 days!

Re-Growing Basil, Mint and Cilantro from Scraps

Basil, Mint, and Cilantro are herbs that grow like weeds and are also near impossible to kill. To regrow these from cutting or scraps, we recommend that you place the cuttings (at least 1 set of leaves) in a cup of water for 3-5 days. During this time they will develop small new roots from the base of the cutting. After this time has passed, simply place the new rooted cuttings in a cup or pot with good quality potting soil and water them at least every 4-5 days. Within a few weeks you will notice some great growth and new leaves.

Re-Growing Carrots from Scraps

Re-growing Carrots from cuttings or scraps can be a bit tricky but still easily doable. In this case you are not re-growing the actual carrot itself but the top which is amazing to use for garnishes, pesto, or in soups. To regrow your Carrots, take the Carrot ends and place them in damp soil within a container. It is important that you keep the soil damp (but not fully saturated) at all times. Within a few weeks you will see new growth!

Re-Growing Garlic from Scraps

Have you ever had Garlic go bad and noticed a small green shoot coming out of each clove? This is the Garlic trying to regrow itself. If you have some Garlic that is nearing the end of its shelf life simply break up the cloves and place them flat end down (hard crusty part that you throw away) in moist soil within a well-draining pot. Keep watering your garlic and within no time (7-10 days) you will see new garlic scapes/greens to be used for cooking.

If you have any questions about this article or the Best Vegetables to Grow from Scrapswe would love to hear from you. Please leave your comments in the comment box! For all of your gardening and growing needs, Greenhouse to Garden has a product and expertise for you.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us by clicking HERE, or if you are local feel free to stop by and say hi to us at our greenhouse in Vaughan (Kleinburg) Ontario.