Fresh Foods You Can Re-Grown Yourself From Kitchen Scraps

Keep kitchen scraps in the fridge and feed celery leaves, lettuce, basil, avocado, and turnips. These are just some of the many health-promoting edible plants you can grow at home. Gardening with scraps is a great way to cut down food waste and use ingredients that would otherwise go to waste.

Most of the time, gardening with scraps requires a little sunlight and soil water, but it’s worth it. Besides reaping all kinds of benefits, gardening with scraps is also an interesting hobby that helps green your space and body. If you want to cut down on food waste and regrow fresh, nutrient-dense food from kitchen scraps, you have come to the right place. Here’s a list of 20 foods you can re-grown yourself from kitchen scraps.

What Is Kitchen Scrap Gardening?

Kitchen scrap gardening is a form of composting that uses kitchen waste, such as vegetable and fruit peelings, bones, eggshells, and coffee grounds. By using these materials in your garden instead of throwing them away or sending them to the landfill, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the environment.

Furthermore, kitchen scrap gardening helps prepare your soil for vegetables and fruits by adding organic matter and nutrients. These nutrients are important for healthy plant growth and can help improve soil fertility.

Finally, you can turn kitchen scraps into composted manure for gardening purposes. This compost can help nourish plants and improve the overall quality of crops grown in the garden. So why not use kitchen scraps in your gardening practice? Create a sustainable green environment by using kitchen scraps as part of your gardening practices.

19 Fresh Foods You Can Re-Grown Yourself From Kitchen Scraps

Kitchen scraps are a renewable resource used to grow various fresh food. You can compost kitchen scraps to create nutrient-rich soil for plants. You can use this compost to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables.

Kitchen scraps also make an excellent base for gardening in your backyard. They provide fertile soil and water retention, ideal for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetable crops. You can regrow kitchen scraps from many types of produce.

You can grow broccoli by planting the seeds in moist soil in a sunny spot. Water well and fertilize as needed. After sprouting, broccoli plants can be grown on a nutrient-rich diet of water, compost, and green manure. As you harvest, be sure to keep the heads green and free of any discoloration or decay. This way, the plant can continue to produce healthy leaves and stalks for harvesting.

1. Lettuce

Lettuce is a great source of vitamins A and c and fiber. It is also a good source of vitamins C and E, folic acid, potassium, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Greens are also a good source of dietary fiber and antioxidants.

Some of the greens’ vitamins and minerals can help support heart health and bone growth. Cabbage is high in vitamin K, which helps to maintain a healthy blood clotting system. This vitamin is responsible for the green color of blood. It also plays an important role in developing healthy bones and teeth.

Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help reduce cancer risk. Lycopene inhibits the activity of enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body. Additionally, it has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer cells developing metastasis (movement or spreading) to other parts of the body.

Garlic is high in allicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Onions are a good source of sulfur, which helps to fight against bacteria and fungi. By consuming vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, garlic, and onions daily, you can enjoy plenty of nutrients without worrying about extra work or cost.

2. Lemongrass

If you want to grow fresh produce without spending a fortune on grocery bills, lemongrass is an excellent choice. It’s a tropical hardy grass that can be used to regrow fresh produce. To regrow lemongrass, cut it into 2-inch pieces and place it in a container filled with water.

Change the water every two days and keep the lemongrass submerged. After two weeks, harvest lemongrass and use it in recipes, flavor drinks, and foods. It’s great to save money and time by growing your food at home. Plus, lemongrass has many health benefits, making it a great choice for gardening enthusiasts of all ages.

3. Bean Sprouts

Sprouts are a type of vegetable that can be grown from kitchen scraps. They are easy to grow and require no special preparation other than soaking them in water overnight. Once sprouts are grown, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.

They’re a great way to add fresh flavor and nutrients to your meals, and they’re a good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re new to growing sprouts or want to try growing them at home, consider investing in some sprouting seeds, such as black or green gram or pea seeds.

These seeds contain the essential nutrients needed to support the growth of the sprout. When planting sprouts, ensure they have plenty of sunlight and water them frequently so they don’t become too large or Rooty. Bean sprouts are easy to grow and can be found in varieties ranging from green to black.

You can also experiment with different sprout seeds and vegetables to find ones that suit your tastes. It’s worth investing time and effort into growing sprouts because they’re nutrient-dense and delicious. Besides, growing your food is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and make concerted efforts toward sustainable agriculture practices.

4. Avocado

If you’re looking to regrow an avocado, you’ll need an avocado pit and grow medium. To start the process, fill the avocado pit with fresh avocados and cover it with warm water. Let the water sit for 2-3 days, then drain the water and repeat this process once or twice. Once the avocado has sprouted, keep it in a warm and dark environment with bright sunlight for 2-3 weeks.

After this time, it will be ready to eat. You can also sprout other fruits and vegetables using the same method. Start with younger fruit or vegetable parts, like green beans or lettuce, and gradually work your way up to mature, fully developed fruit or vegetable pieces.

Avocados are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be regrown from kitchen scraps. This is a great way to save money and environmentally friendly food waste. Using this method, you can easily sprout any of your favorite fruits or vegetables.

5. Potatoes

Grow potatoes from fresh kitchen scraps such as skin, peeled, and blanched vegetables. Start your potato garden in a container or tray filled with potting soil and water. Thin the seedlings to 16 inches apart and water well.

Provide partial shade and fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer twice a month during the growing season. Harvest potatoes when they are at the desired size, usually around 8 to 10 inches long.

Check them often for sprouting, which indicates that they are ready to be cut. To preserve potato harvest for later use, freeze or dehydrate it before storing it in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Try this vegetable gardening hack if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to grow potatoes from scraps! You can grow delicious potato crops from kitchen scraps with little effort and attention.

6. Ginger

Ginger is a perennial herb that is related to lemongrass, Magnolia, and sweet potato. The root of ginger can be used fresh or dried and is also used in curries and other dishes. To grow ginger, start with fresh ginger roots and plant them in potting soil.

Keep the soil moist and give the ginger a light fertilization every two weeks. After a few weeks, the ginger should grow well, and you can harvest the leaves with curls when green.

After harvesting, your ginger will be ready to use or dry in the sun or under a fan until it becomes hard. You can also use ginger powder to add flavor to various dishes. Ginger has a sweet, warm flavor that can help invigorate your meals. Plus, it has numerous health benefits, such as preventing nausea and vomiting and reducing inflammation of the digestive system.

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be eaten fresh, boiled, or mashed. You can also dehydrate sweet potatoes for use in later recipes. Growing sweet potato plants from kitchen scraps by planting seeds in a soil mix and regularly watering them is easy.

Pollinating sweet potato plants with a bee or a crossbreed of two different types of bees is an easy way to ensure crops have the best chance of producing sweet potato fruit with desirable characteristics. To harvest and store sweet potatoes, prick them with a fork and wait for the skin to split.

Once the skin has broken open, the sweet potato is ready to be harvested. If you’re new to growing your veggies or just looking for new ideas, consider planting some sweet potato plants in your garden this season. They’re easy to care for and can provide delicious food year-round.

8. Pineapple

Pineapple is a fruit that you can regrow from kitchen scraps. You can grow pineapples from either fresh or frozen pineapple scraps. Wash and cut the fruit into small pieces before planting it in the soil to grow pineapples from fresh pineapple scraps. To grow pineapples from frozen pineapple scraps, you need to thaw them and plant them in the soil.

To water your pineapple plants regularly, you will need to water them with water that has drain vegetable fertilizer in it. You will also need to fertilize your pineapple plants with vegetable fertilizer every two weeks. Overall, pineapple is a fruit that you can regrow from kitchen scraps. All you need is fresh or frozen pineapple scraps and some vegetable fertilizer to start growing pineapples in your backyard.

9. Garlic

Garlic is a great vegetable to grow at home. It is easy to grow and requires minimal care. The easiest way to grow garlic is by planting garlic cloves in the garden. Start the growing process by planting cloves of garlic in spring or fall. If you live in a sunny area, you can grow garlic in early summer. Water the plant regularly and take care of the soil so it remains debris-free.

As the weather gets warmer and sunny, you can encourage the growth of bulbs with sprouting tips. Sprouts provide an excellent source of nutrients for your plants and have a lemony flavor. To sprout, place spores in water for 24 hours and then let them sit on the kitchen counter for 3-5 days until they turn greenish-brown. When sprouts are mature, harvest them and use or store them as desired.

If you don’t have time or access to fresh garlic, consider drying it out for use later. After harvesting, cut off the top third of the bulb and leave it on the stalk until it dies down naturally. When this happens, harvest it and store it in airtight containers to prevent decay. Another way to preserve garlic is by freezing it whole or broken into pieces.

This way, you can easily access them when needed without having to thaw them first. You can also grow garlic from cloves of garlic by planting cloves of garlic in moist soil around mid-spring or early autumn months, depending on your area’s climate and the type of garlic used. Garlic requires consistent watering during its growing season, along with adequate sunlight, to produce healthy leaves and shoots.

10. Pumpkins

Gather kitchen scraps: Scraps from cooking and chopping, and you can use other kitchen tasks to grow pumpkins. Soak scrap in water to remove toxins and make them easier to digest. After soaking, scour the food scraps with a brush or a toothpick to remove excess water.

Add a little fertilizer: Add a small amount of organic fertilizer to the water before planting the pumpkin seeds. This will help the seeds develop faster and bigger plants.

Water regularly: Water the plants regularly and monitor their growth. This will ensure that they are healthy and don’t get stunted by insufficient water.

Grow your pumpkin: You can grow pumpkins using potting soil and a sunny spot. Plant the seeds on top of the soil mixed with compost and water. When the sprouts are two inches long, water them often to keep them green and healthy.

11. Onions

You can use scraps from cooked onions to grow new onions. Anyone can use scraps from raw onions to grow new garlic. Also, people can use scraps from cooked carrots to grow new carrots. Plus, we can use scraps from cooked potatoes to grow new potatoes.

Same as we can use scraps from cooked apples to grow new apples. These scraps are a great way of recycling kitchen waste and adding nutrients to the soil, making them a valuable composting ingredient.

12. Peppers

There are several vegetables you can grow and harvest using kitchen scraps. Some vegetables you can grow using kitchen scraps include green bell peppers, Hungarian wax peppers, red jalapeños, cayenne peppers, and sweet bell peppers.

Green bell peppers are the most common type of pepper. They are easy to grow and have a mild flavor. Green bell peppers are great for salads and can be used in many different dishes, from appetizers to desserts. They are also known for their vibrant color and sweet taste.

Hungarian wax peppers have a unique shape and are very spicy. They have a fruity taste with a hint of spice that leaves you wanting more. These peppers are perfect for snacks or appetizers because of their unique flavors and shapes. Red jalapeños are usually quite hot and have a fruity taste. They make great additions to salads and stews as they add an extra element of flavor without ruining the dish’s balance.

Additionally, you can cut red jalapeños into rings or slices for use in different dishes such as stir-fries. Cayenne peppers are quite spicy and can be used in many different dishes. Cayenne peppers add a nice kick of heat to dishes without overpowering them with their heat. They also make great additions to salads, casseroles, omelets, and other dishes as they add flavor without adding too much fat or calories.

13. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are foodies’ favorite, and you can easily grow them at home without much hassle. Growing mushrooms requires minimal care and effort but requires proper sunlight, water, and nutrients. Use common kitchen scraps like onion peels, celery leaves, lemons, and lettuce leaves in the compost bin to help compost turn into nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Wash and cut vegetable scraps before throwing them away. Grow kitchen herbs like cilantro and parsley indoors during winter months. They can be grown using indoor gardening techniques like germination lights and water management. Grow your herbs using a seed starter kit and water management techniques.

You can also add kitchen scraps such as onion peels, celery leaves, lemons, and lettuce leaves in the compost bin to help turn them into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Grow kitchen herbs like cilantro and parsley indoors during winter months. They can be grown using indoor gardening techniques like germination lights and water management.

14. Fennel

Fennel is a type of vegetable people often use in Italian cuisine. We can eat them raw, cooked, or in a salad. Fennels are common as a vegetable, flavoring agent, or spice. When harvesting fennel, you will need first to remove the stalks and then the bulbous root.

The easiest way to do this is with a gardening scythe or knife. You can use fennel seeds to flavor food or make an herbal tea. They have medicinal properties, such as promoting digestion and alleviating coughs and cravings. They are also familiar with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

If you find interest in growing your fennel at home, it’s possible with a little effort and planning. Start by planting fennel seeds in a sunny location with well-draining soil and composted manure or compost added to the soil.

Once the seedlings are about six weeks old, you can move them indoors for a sunny windowsill or large pot until transplanting them outside as young ferns. You can harvest fennel leaves throughout the growing season by picking them when they are young and green but before they become too large. This produces the best-tasting fennel leaves, so it’s important to harvest them when they’re at their peak of flavor and aroma.

15. Basil

You can grow basil from kitchen scraps if you have a sunny windowsill. Sil is a type of fresh herb we use in both savory and sweet dishes. You can grow basil from kitchen scraps if you have a sunny windowsill. Start by picking the largest leaves and chop them finely. Place the chopped leaves in a bowl and fill it with water. Soak the leaves for several hours overnight, then drain and place them in a pot.

Plant the leaves at the bottom of the pot and water regularly. Basil will grow rapidly and be ready to harvest within 6-8 weeks. This method works well for quick-growing basil, but it might take longer for larger basil to sprout from kitchen scraps if you use this method.

You can also grow basil seeds if you want to sprout large amounts of basil more quickly. When planting basil seeds, clean them well after planting them in the soil. If you are growing basil from kitchen scraps, it’s important to keep the plant consistently watered so that it doesn’t become dehydrated and turn green before it’s ready to harvest.

The key to Growing basil quickly from kitchen scraps is keeping the plant consistently watered so that it doesn’t become dehydrated and turn green before it’s ready to harvest

16. Tomatoes

Save money and eat fresh tomatoes year-round by growing your own using these easy steps. First, pick a large, healthy tomato seed. Water the seed thoroughly and place it in a sunny window for two weeks. After that, transplant the seed into the soil and water it regularly.

Feed the tomato plants weekly with a balanced organic fertilizer, such as compost or manure. This will help the plants grow strong and tall. After a few weeks, your tomatoes should be large and plump, ready to harvest. You can enjoy sweet, juicy tomatoes all summer long.

17. Cherries

Well, cherries are delicious and nutritious fruit to consume throughout the year. Cherries are a good source of antioxidants and dietary fiber, which can aid in healthy digestion and overall well-being. Cherries also contain potassium, which is essential for healthy cell and body function, and vitamin C, which aids in the absorption of fat and supports immune function.

Additionally, cherries are useful to make pies, jams, jellies, smoothies, salads, or as toppings for desserts. You can freeze them for use later on in the year. We should eat cherries in moderation due to their high sugar content, but they make for a great addition to any diet.

18. Turnips

You can grow turnips from kitchen scraps in the garden or indoors in a container. Well, you need to provide fertile soil, water, and sunlight for successful turnip growth. You can harvest turnips when they are small or larger, depending on how you want to eat them. Turnips are high in vitamin C and fiber, which makes them a healthy vegetable to eat.

They are versatile and can be eaten raw, cooked, or used as a base for salads or stir-fries. They are an excellent source of vitamins A and K and folate, as well as potassium and protein. In addition, turnips contain manganese, biotin, and folic acid. They are also low in calories and fat. When harvested properly, turnips can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

19. Cilantro

Cilantro is a leafy green that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to grow from kitchen scraps and can be stored for up to two weeks in a cold, dry place. Cilantro can be frozen for up to six months. It is best to use cilantro fresh or dried for the best flavor and aroma, but it can be used as is or processed into salsas, condiments, or sprays.

Cilantro is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways and provides unique flavor and texture. Start cilantro seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring. Plant cilantro seeds 4-6 inches apart in shallow watery soil. Keep the soil moist but not watery. Once the plants sprout, water with a disclaimer.

Conclusion

With a little bit of planning and effort, you can turn scraps into food that will last longer and cut down on waste. If you’re new to gardening, here’s a guide to help you grow foods you can re-grown yourself from kitchen scraps. Kitchen gardening is easy, and the rewards are great: homegrown food helps the environment, saves money, and tastes better than store-bought produce. It would be best if you were resourceful.

Besides, it’s fun to grow your vegetables. Remember to cut vegetables into small pieces and store them in an airtight container, so they stay fresh for longer. So cut down on food waste, and regrow some of your food from scraps. Kitchen scrap gardening is more than just a way of repurposing food that would otherwise go to waste.

It also helps cut down on the amount of waste that is generated in the first place, as scraps are often used for compost instead of thrown away. Besides, growing your food is a great way of learning about gardening, home sustainability, and self-sufficiency

Frequently Asked Questions