Buying fresh produce can feel expensive especially if you’re purchasing fruits or vegetables in their offseasons. There are however many fresh foods that you could buy once and regrow again and again in your own home. All it takes is a little dedication, a bit of effort and the motivation to do it. There are some vegetables that you can grow simply in only water and some that need to start in water and then transferred to soil soon after.
Regrowing foods could be a great school project for teachers because not only is it educational but it is a great skill to know how to grow your own fresh produce. It would also be an awesome activity that you could do with your children especially over the summer months when you’re aimlessly trying to find things to keep you all busy. Regrowing your own produce will keep you busy but it could also save you money not to mention is a great way to get organic produce at a low cost. Here are 18 foods you can buy once and regrow again.
When regrowing vegetables make sure to try regrowing lettuce. It is super easy and can regrow only using a bowl of water! Romain lettuce seems to be the most successful but other lettuces will work too. What you need to do it cut off the bottom of your head of lettuce and place it in a small bowl.
Lettuce will prefer a shallow bowl and make sure it is wide enough so that it fits comfortably. Make sure to check your water every couple of days. You will want to look out for low water level if it’s low top it up. You also need to look out for slimy water, if this happens make sure to replace the water. You should have half a head of lettuce in around two weeks.
It is important to note if you want to grow a bulb of garlic you will have to do that outdoors. However, you can regrow garlic greens indoors just from bulbs of garlic you have on hand. They have a lighter flavor than fresh garlic and make a delicious seasoning or garnish for many dishes.
To grow them inside you’ll want to start by planting three or four garlic cloves in potting soil. Make sure they are placed on a window ledge that gets a lot of sunlight and then makes sure to water them lightly. The garlic greens should grow within 10 days and can be snipped to use in your meals.
https://www.marthastewart.com/1114951/how-grow-garlic-indoors PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: MARTHA STEWART
Tomatoes can be sweet, juicy and delicious and are quite easy to grow on your own too. The next time you buy a tomato and decide to use it consider taking some of the seeds out to turn that one tomato into a beautiful plant.
You will want to take the seeds and put them on a paper towel so they can dry. Once they are dry, place the seeds in some potting soil to grow indoors. When there are a couple inches of growth it will then be a good idea to place the tomato plant outside in a sunny area. Make sure to water regularly, and take precautions if you have any pesky animals in your yard.
Pineapple is known for it’s juicy and sweet flavor but did you know you can buy this delicious fruit and grow it again! It’s important to know that pineapple thrives in warmer climates and make sure to keep your plant away from freezing temperatures. For a pineapple plant to thrive it will need full sun for most of the day.
To begin, save the top (also known as the crown) of the pineapple and cut off the rest of the fruit as well as the rind. Place the crown in a cup of water so that the base can sprout roots. Once you notice root growth you can then transplant your pineapple crown into a pot with potting soil. You’ll want to make sure you plant it in a pot that is at least 10 to 12 inches wide so it has room to grow.
Green onion compliments many dishes as a garnish and even can add a bit of flavor to your salads. They’re another fresh food that is relatively easy to regrow simply in water.
Make sure to keep the bottom white part of the onion, if there are any roots still intact make sure to keep them as well. Choose a tall slender glass and set the base of the onion in the water. Make sure to check your water regularly, change if needed and enjoy watching your fresh green onion grow.
Instead of putting your carrot tops in the compost consider regrowing them for their greens. Carrot greens although a little bitter in taste, are great mixed into salads and offer a great source of nutrition. You could even consider blanching them to help lessen the bitter taste and serve them with a meal.
To regrow your carrot greens cut off the top leave about one to two inches. You can either place in a shallow bowl with about one inch of water, only the carrot top should be in the water. Your carrot top will begin to grow roots and the tops should sprout with the greens soon after. If you like baby greens you can eat as is or if you prefer the taste of mature greens consider planting your sprouted carrot top and harvesting after.
If you have ever stored your potatoes for a little while I’m sure you have noticed that they begin to sprout. Instead of tossing these potatoes consider using them to regrow your potatoes.
You will want to cut the potatoes into halves and ensure that each half has at least two eyes also known as the sprouts. You will want to let the potato pieces dry at room temperature. It can take anywhere from overnight up to a couple days. Once they are dry to the touch you’ll want to plant them in eight inches of soil. Make sure each potato piece is at least one foot apart. You’ll want to make sure the top of the potato plant, or known as the vines have died off before you begin to harvest your potatoes.
Celery, like lettuce, can thrive in water. To regrow celery you’ll need to cut off the bottom at least two inches and place in shallow water. You’ll want to make sure the celery get’s direct sunlight. You should see growth within only three to four days.
You’ll continue to get regrowth from the center often but if you want a full stock of celery you’ll need to transfer it to the soil. If you choose to do this wait until a thick stem of celery has sprouted and then transfer to organic soil. If you choose to grow it outside make sure to be mindful of creatures that may eat it and either enclose it in a wire cage or keep it in a greenhouse. It could take up to a couple months for a mature stalk to grow
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2015/05/regrow-food-water/ Photo and Instructions HERE: Don’t Waste The Crumbs
Basil is an excellent herb that can garnish a dish as well as flavor a dish nicely. If you’re a firm believer in using fresh herbs over dried and packaged then you’ll want to regrow your basil too. It is so easy and once you get the hang of it you could even consider gifting your friends with their own basil plants too.
To start you’ll need a basil cutting that is at least four inches. Any leaves that are within two inches from the end you’ll want to remove. Then place the cutting into a glass of water and make sure it is placed in a spot that gets direct sunlight. Another great tip is to use a clear glass so you can take note of the root growth. Make sure to change the water every couple of days until the roots begin to grow. Once the roots have grown about two inches in length you can pot the basil in some soil. You can keep the plant indoors as long as it remains in a place with direct sunlight. When you harvest the basil leaves make sure not to take off too many leaves from one stem at a time as this can actually cause the plant to die.
Whether you like ginger for flavor or you only use it to aid sickness it’s important to know once you buy ginger you can regrow it again and again. Having ginger on hand is a great idea because it has been known to help motion sickness, pain, relieve nausea and many other health benefits.
You will find this tutorial very easy and a great project to complete as a family. All you need is ginger root, a wide pot plant, potting soil and some patience. It will take up to several months before you can begin to harvest the ginger. However, if you follow this tutorial your supply can be endless.
https://newengland.com/today/living/gardening/how-to-grow-ginger-indoors/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: NEW ENGLAND
Onions are persistent vegetables and can give you an endless supply if you choose to regrow them. It is fairly easy to do and makes a great project to do with the kids.
All you have to do is cut off an onion bottom leaving the roots intact. You’ll want to cut off at least an inch and a half of the onion for best regrowth. Allow it to dry for a couple days and then plant it in a pot that is 3/4 full of potting soil. Place the onion bottom in the soil and cover with one to two inches of soil. Once the onion has a few leaves it should have regenerated its roots. Then you should remove the old scallions and regrow in the ground. You can harvest once the onions are fully grown.
If you’re familiar with bok choy you know how well it can complement a dish. If you aren’t then it’s about time you start experimenting with it. It can be used raw in salads to add a wonderful crunch, it is often also used in soups, can be steamed or boiled to be eaten on the side and best of all used in stir-fry dishes.
Bok choy is an awesome choice when it comes to looking for vegetables that can regrow again and again. What you’ll have to do is cut off the base and place it in a bowl. You will then add a small amount of water making sure there isn’t more than 1/4 inch of water above the base of the bok choy. It is important to replace the water every several days and you should see regrowth within a week in the center of the base. Once the regrowth appears it is now time to transfer the plan to a pot or the garden. Cover everything except the regrowth of soil, and it should be fully regrown within around five months.
Having fresh herbs on hand can make all the difference when it comes to flavoring and garnishing your meals. Like basil, you can easily regrow cilantro too. To begin you will want to place the cilantro stems in a cup of water. Make sure the dish is in a sunny area and to change the water every couple of days.
When you begin to see plenty of roots you can then transfer the plant into a pot. Within only a couple of weeks, there will be new shoots. However, it will take a couple of months until you have a full grown plant. Once it is fully grown you can harvest the herb as needed. The same applies to cilantro as basil, always be sure not to take off too many leaves off of one stem at a time as it can actually kill the plant.
If you love mushrooms and are a frequent buyer before you finish your current container and buy another considering growing them in your own home! They compliment many dishes and even taste delicious fried up on their own. Harvesting them yourself will not only save you some money but will also be very satisfying as well.
Mushrooms may require a little bit more attention than other vegetables that can regrow but are still worth the effort. To grow your own mushrooms you only need the stalk, so cut off the cap and save that for your dinner. Next, plant the stalks in the soil, make sure it is fully covered except for the very top of the stalk. It is better to plant the mushroom stalks in a pot instead of your garden so that you have better control over the temperature and moisture. You’ll need to ensure that they stay in a warm area with a lot of humidity and are planted in rich soil that has a lot of nutrients. Once they have fully grown you are ready to harvest.
There are many dishes that lemongrass compliments Asian cuisine ever so nicely. It is often used in stir-fry, curry pastes as well as marinades. You too can regrow your own lemongrass instead of buying it again at the store. To begin you will want to cut off the tops of your lemongrass and then place the stalks in water. Like other produce, you’ll want to change the water every couple of days. You’ll want to wait until the lemongrass develops new roots, this can take up to three weeks.
When there are new roots present you can then plant the stalks in a pot but make sure it is placed in an area that gets a lot of sunlight. If you live in an area that does get cooler climates you’ll want to grow your lemongrass in a pot so you can transfer it indoors so it can stay warm. Once the lemongrass reaches a foot in height it is ready to harvest. However, you only need to cut off what you need and make sure to not uproot the plant or you could damage or kill it.
Fennel may not be a commonly used vegetable but shouldn’t be forgotten about. The stalks are similar in texture to celery and can be added to salads for a tasteful crunch. It can also be used in stir-fry and many other dishes. Regrowing fennel is quite easy and can even begin on your kitchen windowsill.
To start, make sure to keep an inch of the base at a minimum and then place it in a cup of water. You will want to make sure the fennel base is kept in direct sunlight for the majority of the day. Once the roots have grown strong you will then notice a new green shoot start to come out of the center of the base. When that happens it will be time to transfer the base into potting soil. Continue to monitor and water the fennel until it is mature and ready to eat.
Mint like other herbs serves a vast amount of purposes. It is used to flavor gum, toothpaste, used for tea and is even used in baking and cooking. Like other herbs, mint is also easy to regrow again and again. Once you buy it once consider growing your own plant indoors so you can use it again.
To start your regrowth you’ll want to cut off a couple stems. On each stem make sure to keep a few leaves at the top but remove any leaves that are mid to the bottom of the stem. Place the cuttings in a shallow bowl of water. You’ll want to change the water at least once a week and make sure the base of the stem is always covered. When the cuttings develop roots you’ll want to plant it in a pot with soil. Make sure your plant gets a good amount of sunlight so it can thrive.
Rosemary is another excellent herb that is often used in cooking. This tutorial walks you through step by step how to regrow rosemary from your own scraps. It will save you a lot of money from not having to go to the supermarket everytime you need fresh rosemary on hand.
The steps are very similar to basil and mint and require that you start with small cuttings. Like the other herbs, rosemary also thrives on a lot of sunlight and moderately moist soil. You’ll have your rosemary plant growing in no time and you could even make it a fun activity to engage with your kids. Consider taking photos and so you and your kids can document it’s growth.
