Kitchen Solutions: Regrowing from Kitchen Scraps

In San Francisco, it could be hard to grow your own produce especially when your place doesn’t get a lot of sunshine. My luckiest spot is the window sill in my kitchen. There you will see a lineup of growing basil, mint, green onions, celery, and succulents. Some of them I got as gifts while others I bought at the grocery store.

I bought some of them to use in my cooking. Instead of throwing away the scraps (usually the bottom part of celery or green onion), I soaked them in a bit of water. After a few days, they started to grow more roots. Once they had enough sturdy roots, I transferred them to a potted soil.

So far, here’s what they look like:

Kitchen Solutions: Regrowing from Kitchen Scraps

On the left are the bottom part of celery stalks soaked in water (as well as a sprig of oregano that is also regrowing roots). On the right are transplanted celery plants that have grown sturdy roots.

I’m not exactly sure if the regrown celery plants will indeed grow long stalks. I guess we’ll have to see. Right now, I’m simply enjoying the process of regrowing. It’s so cool to see the progress.

One thing that I have successfully used over and over are green onions. I had bought few bunches before (for about 0.85 cents). I cut out the leaves and used them in my cooking, then soaked the bottom part in water and transplanted them once they had enough long, sturdy roots.

Green onions are one of the easiest plants to regrow and take care of. I didn’t have any problems. They just keep regrowing. They’re wonderful when I need something to liven up a dish whether soup or entrée.

Green onion plant, the gift that keeps on giving.

My small but growing collection by the kitchen window.

I got this one as a gift. Succulent plant in an upcycled can, which I thought is so clever and inspiring.

After my successful experiment, I plan to regrow more vegetables from kitchen scraps -like bok choy, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. I might need another kitchen window!

I highly recommend for you to try regrowing at least once. Regrowing from kitchen scraps is not only economical and practical, it’s also joyful to see them come to a new life. You’re also guaranteed fresh organic produce right at your fingertips at no cost. Buy them once and never buy them again!