The United States is guilty of throwing away tons of food every year — literally tons of pounds of food. When fruits and veggies become a bit too ripe or “off,” we tend to throw them out without a second thought.
Many people don’t realize that a lot of the fresh edibles that they consume can be regrown from the scraps they are throwing out.
We have a list of some delicious fruits and veggies can easily be replanted to grow again.
Here are 13 scraps that you shouldn’t be throwing out — you can regrow them!
These scraps could save you hundreds of dollars over time. Plus, who doesn’t feel accomplished by growing their own food?
1. Basil
Regrowing basil is super easy. Simply cut a 4-inch stalk from the plant and remove all the leaves except for the two top sets. Make a fresh snip right beneath the lowest set of leaves that you tore off. Submerge the cuttings in a few inches of water. Change the water regularly and wait for new roots to grow, this could take up to 4 weeks. Then, transfer the cutting with new roots to a pot to sit on a windowsill.
2. Green onions
Since most people only use the green tips of a green onion, you can keep growing them over and over again from the roots and bulbs. Place the bulb into a couple inches of water; in a few days, new roots will form. You can harvest straight from the water or move the onion to a pot.
3. Garlic
If you notice that your garlic has gone “bad” and started sprouting, don’t throw it out! This is such an easy plant to grow time and time again. Plant the sprouting garlic bulb in your garden, early fall or late winter is best. The garlic will take about nine months to multiply and grow, but it’s worth the wait.
4. Celery
After you’re done chopping the stalks of the celery, save the end that is leftover where the stalks all merged together. Submerge the piece of celery, root-side down, into water and leave it for approximately one week. Transfer the soaking end of celery to rich, well-draining soil. It won’t be long until you have fresh stalks!
5. Lettuce
After you’ve used all the fresh, big, outer leaves of a head of lettuce, put the base of the head into a shallow dish of water. After a week, it will begin to regrow and sprout new leaves. The leaves might be smaller in size or produce a very small quantity, but each one will be different. Keep trying!
6. Potatoes
Potatoes will sprout naturally if they are unused, you might have found them growing limbs in your cupboard before. They’ll continue to grow if they are given the right environment. Either right before they sprout, or just after, cut the potato into small chunks. Make sure to leave two eyes on each piece — this is where it will sprout from. Plant them indoors until the last frost has passed before transplanting them outdoors.
7. Pineapple
This is one that might surprise you, but you can regrow pineapple! Take the top of a pineapple and remove a few layers of the leaves; cut away any excess fruit that is left at the base of the leaves. Suspend the leaves in a glass so that only the base is submerged in water; leave the pineapple there until it sprouts roots. Once they reach 1/4 inch in length, transfer the leaves into a pot. An entire pineapple will take two years to fully grow, so it might just end up being a decorative, conversation-piece.
8. Ginger
Ginger is, of course, a root in and of itself. If you notice some buds starting to sprout from the ginger on your counter, plant it in your garden. If you live in colder climates, plant it indoors in an adequately sized pot. If you soak the roots overnight, prior to planting, it will encourage quick regrowth. A full tutorial can be found at The Rainforest Garden.
9. Mint
Regrowing mint is almost identical to regrowing basil, as mentioned above. Cut a sprig of mint approximately 4-5 inches long and remove the lower leaves, leave the top couple sets. Place the sprigs into some water until roots develop; then transfer to a pot with fresh soil. Watch it grow before your eyes.
10. Red onion
You can regrow store-bought red onions, just be sure to choose ones that have a solid, good-looking root. After you cut the root from the onion, set it aside for a couple of days; wait for the skin to dry out a bit. Next, plant the root into some potting soil and water regularly. After a while, the onion will push up a couple of new stalks. Each stalk is a “set;” they will need to be separated and planted in different containers or areas in the garden. Each one is a new onion.
11. Fennel
Save the base of this licorice-tasting plant to grow it all over again. Place the base into a dish with a few inches of water; make sure that it receives plenty of sun. After the roots form, you can either plant it or just leave it growing in the dish.
12. Lemongrass
Once again, all this plant needs to regrow is a little water. Put a few stalks in a vase with some water and roots will develop quickly. After they’ve reached about three inches, you can transfer the plant to the garden. Make sure you have room; these plants can grow up to five feet high and wide.
13. Sweet potatoes
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Any guesses as to what’s needed to regrow a sweet potato? Ding, ding, ding! Water! Submerge a little more than half of a sweet potato in a glass of water on a windowsill; make sure that it is a sunny location. Sprouts will form; once they reach approximately 4-inches long, remove them and place them in a separate glass of water. They are called ‘slips’ at this point in maturity. After growing for a few more days, take the slips and plant them in your garden after there is no risk of frost.
