Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is a sustainable and cost-effective way to have a continuous supply of fresh produce. Here are 16 vegetables that you can regrow again and again:

1. Green Onions (Scallions)

  • How to Regrow: Place the white root ends in a glass of water with the roots submerged. Change the water every few days. New green shoots will appear in a few days.
  • Benefit: Provides a constant supply of fresh green onions.

2. Lettuce

  • How to Regrow: Place the bottom 2 inches of the lettuce stem in a bowl of water. Keep it in a sunny spot and change the water every couple of days. New leaves will start to grow in about a week.
  • Benefit: Enjoy fresh lettuce leaves without buying new heads.

3. Celery

  • How to Regrow: Place the base of the celery stalk in a shallow bowl of water. Change the water regularly. New growth will appear from the center in about a week.
  • Benefit: Fresh celery for cooking and snacking.

4. Bok Choy

  • How to Regrow: Place the base of the bok choy in a shallow bowl of water. New leaves will start growing from the center in a few days.
  • Benefit: Continuous supply of bok choy for stir-fries and salads.

5. Carrots

  • How to Regrow: Place the carrot tops (about an inch from the top) in a shallow dish of water. Keep them in a sunny spot. New green tops will grow in a few days.
  • Benefit: Carrot greens can be used in salads, pesto, or as a garnish.

6. Leeks

  • How to Regrow: Similar to green onions, place the root ends of leeks in a glass of water. Change the water regularly. New growth will appear in a few days.
  • Benefit: Fresh leeks for soups and stews.

7. Garlic

  • How to Regrow: Plant a garlic clove with the pointed end up in a pot of soil. Green shoots will appear in a week or so.
  • Benefit: Use garlic greens or grow until the bulb is ready to harvest.

8. Basil

  • How to Regrow: Place basil cuttings with the stems in water. Change the water regularly. Roots will form in about a week, after which you can plant them in soil.
  • Benefit: Fresh basil leaves for cooking.

9. Mint

  • How to Regrow: Place mint cuttings in water. Change the water regularly. Once roots form, plant them in soil.
  • Benefit: Continuous supply of fresh mint for teas and recipes.

10. Cilantro

  • How to Regrow: Place cilantro stems in a glass of water. Once roots form, plant them in soil.
  • Benefit: Fresh cilantro for garnishing and cooking.

11. Parsley

  • How to Regrow: Place parsley stems in water until roots form, then plant them in soil.
  • Benefit: Continuous supply of fresh parsley for seasoning.

12. Potatoes

  • How to Regrow: Plant potato eyes (the small sprouts that form on the surface) in soil. New plants will grow from the eyes.
  • Benefit: Grow your own potatoes from scraps.

13. Sweet Potatoes

  • How to Regrow: Place the end of a sweet potato in water. Roots and shoots will form. Once the shoots are about 5-6 inches long, cut them off and place them in water to form more roots before planting in soil.
  • Benefit: Fresh sweet potatoes grown from slips.

14. Ginger

  • How to Regrow: Plant a piece of ginger root in soil with the bud facing up. New shoots and roots will appear in a few weeks.
  • Benefit: Fresh ginger for cooking and medicinal uses.

15. Onions

  • How to Regrow: Place the bottom part of an onion in soil. New shoots will grow from the top.
  • Benefit: Fresh onions from the old base.

16. Fennel

  • How to Regrow: Place the base of the fennel bulb in a bowl of water. New green shoots will grow from the center.
  • Benefit: Continuous supply of fennel greens for cooking.

Tips for Regrowing Vegetables:

  • Water Quality: Use clean, filtered water to avoid contamination and encourage healthy growth.
  • Sunlight: Place the containers in a sunny spot to ensure adequate light for growth.
  • Change Water Regularly: Change the water every few days to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
  • Transplanting: Once the roots are well-developed, transplant the plants into soil for better growth and more robust plants.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh vegetables from your kitchen scraps, promoting sustainability and saving money.