by Jess Catherine, Purchasing Assistant
Are you looking for a safe and affordable way to bring some more life into your home? This might be a fun and inspiring opportunity that you can share with your housemates or little thinkers.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to re-grow your veggies from scraps in water. These veggies were store-bought, and because they have established roots, I was curious to see how well the clippings and then regrowth would transplant into the garden. A good comparison, for example, are the pesky little unwanted trees and bushes that keep coming up every spring. They grow super fast if you try to cut them down, because the roots can put all of their energy into that little stump. So this time I held onto the scraps, and here’s what happened…
Carrot Tops
Cut the top from a grocery store carrot. You’ll need about one inch of the root. Stick a toothpick into either side of the carrot stump and balance it on top of a small glass. (If you don’t have a toothpick, a layer of marbles or stones at the bottom will do, however don’t be fooled by images of others just dropping it into a little cup of water. It is important that the water is barely touching the carrot.
- Fill the water up to and barely touch the bottom edge of the stump. Set the glass in a light, but not sunny window. Replace water every couple days.
- Add water to keep it touching the edge and watch the roots sprout (can take a week). After the roots are nice and strong, plant in soil. This will not regrow the carrot root; it will regrow the green leafy parts for some added flavor in your meals or a fern like planter.
Green Onions and Leeksgreen onion
- Keeping the roots on, cut the bottom two inches off. Place the root ends in water but don’t submerge them. Change the water daily.
- In 3-5 days, growth begins. Harvest the greens when full then restart the process. Try these too—fennel, spring onion and lemongrass
Bok Choy and Celery and Romaine
- Cut two inches up from the stump. Submerge the roots, leaving the tops above the water line. Keep all leaves out of the water to avoid slimy water.
- Spray with water a couple times a week and replace water every few.
- Plant the cutting with only the leaves above soil. Harvest when fully grown, about 5 months.
Ginger
- Without removing the skin, soak a chunk of raw ginger in water overnight
- Submerge in moist soil until shoots appear. Enjoy the foliage!
- Ready to harvest in a year, simply remove the plant, use what you need and restart the process.
There are many produce items and flowers that can be grown again in water. Dare to try an avocado or pineapple?
