Last year we wrote about how simple it is to re-grow bunches of celery and green onions on a windowsill, but it turns out those experiments are just the beginning. Black Thumb Gardener has a list of 17 plants that can be grown from kitchen scraps, including ginger, sweet potatoes, lemongrass, and even pineapple.
Greg at Black Thumb Gardener says he likes planting kitchen scraps with his son, since it is a great way the share the cycle of produce from market to meal and back into the soil. His list starts with the scraps that begin sprouting in water within a few days (leeks, green onions and fennel) and ends with those that won't be usable for several years (avocado and pineapple).
I'm most intrigued by the idea of growing my own gingerroot. A plant will sprout from the soil, but the ginger down below can be pulled out and cut, then replanted. Perfect for those nights when you need just a little ginger for a recipe, but don't want to make a special trip to the store.
Check out the full list: 17 Plants You Grow from Kitchen Scraps at Black Thumb GardenerHave you ever grown a plant from kitchen scraps?
Related: Container Gardening Idea: Make a Wine Box Salad Garden!
(Images: Black Thumb Gardener)
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Do you think any of these would work in a basement kitchen that doesn't get much light?
fascinating! I have a brown thumb but I'll probably end up trying all of these anyway, maybe I'll get lucky!
This is such a great list to have. Tossing all the scraps in the green bin is one thing, but being able to actually use them to re-grow what you've already consumed is brilliant. Thank you for finding/sharing this!
I miss our pineapple plant. We were growing one like this for a couple of years and had to leave it behind when we moved from Miami to Colorado. It would not have fared well here though.
In a low-light environment, the only one I'd even try is ginger.
I've experimented with regrowing leeks and greens from a root in the garden, and found that it wasn't a worthwhile use of the space. But as a novelty on a kitchen window for only a few bites of plant it might be worth it.
Also, in my experience garlic has to be chilled before replanting, or it will produce only a round bulb, not a whole plant. But the plant and bulb are edible and tasty anyway.
My dad grew a pineapple from a top, in San Diego. One day, there was a flower, then a fruit - a tiny little golf-ball sized pineapple. It turned golden and developed a wonderful scent. Then, one morning, he came out before work and found a raccoon eating the pineapple. It sat there, happy and bold, munching away at the little pineapple. My dad never grew a pineapple from a top again. He switched to avocado pits, instead.
Who knew?! Definitely keeping this list for future reference!
Awesome tips--thx so much for sharing! I've planted a pineapple top which takes forever but is fun for kids to watch flourish throughout the year. I highly, highly recommend planting ginger. It is so incredibly low-maintenance and can be used so many ways beyond a basic tea. It truly is the gift that keeps giving.
Hadn't thought about planting sweet potatoes, but happily adding that to my project list :)
I like the pineapple + raccoon story :)
Avocado pits... I found one growing in my front yard one day. It seemed to have sprouted to 1 foot and a half high over night. I figure a squirrel planted it there for me. Thank you squirrel, I just wish that I knew what it was before I weeded it.
Love this! I will definitely have to try some of these. What a great way to recycle!
Anxious to try some of these. I love planting the garlic cloves in my veggies grown in containers ... companion gardening at it's best. Must try the ginger and celery. I've read that the sweet potato plant is beautiful ... decorative even! Wonderful memories of our parents teaching us about science growing from avocado seed, potato, peach & pumpkin seeds!
Anxious to try some of these. I love planting the garlic cloves in my veggies grown in containers ... companion gardening at it's best. Must try the ginger and celery. I've read that the sweet potato plant is beautiful ... decorative even! Wonderful memories of our parents teaching us about science growing from avocado seed, potato, peach & pumpkin seeds!
I try this with green onions all the time. They get a tiny spurt of life and then get gooey and gross no matter how much or how little attention I give them. Cursed!
I regrew ginger... but never knew when to harvest it. As far as I know it's still out there in the garden, haha.
Green onions require light and some attention...if you let the water sit too long it'll get gross really fast. You've got to plant it in soil (outside) the moment it gets roots.
also you can do things with lemongrass too, but that requires sandy soil.
I took three green onions this spring and regrew the roots in a glass of water on my windowsill. The root masses started getting large, so I planted all three in a pot of soil (3 in apart) and they flourished all summer and fall outside. In fact, those hearty little suckers were still green and happy on Friday before they were buried under 27 inches of snow. I'll be really impressed if they're still going once this stuff melts. (In June I presume.)