Scraps to Sprouts: 7 Clever Ways to Reduce Waste With Leftovers

Reduce waste and make the most out of what you have, it's not only good for the environment but also for your garden.

Did you know that you can regrow many vegetables from kitchen scraps right in your own backyard? It's a simple and rewarding process that allows you to stretch your grocery budget, save resources, and enjoy an ongoing supply of fresh produce.

Check out our handpicked seven clever ways to regrow vegetables in your garden, turning kitchen scraps into thriving plants.

Spring Onions and Green Onions

One of the easiest vegetables to regrow is spring onions or green onions. After using the green parts, save the root ends with about an inch of the white base. Plant them directly into the soil or in a container, leaving the green tips exposed. Within days, new shoots will emerge, and you can harvest the greens repeatedly as they grow back.

Lettuce and Cabbage

Don't throw away the base of lettuce or cabbage heads! Place the base, cut side up, in a shallow dish with some water. Ensure the water covers about half an inch of the base. Keep the dish in a sunny spot indoors or in a well-lit area of your garden. New leaves will sprout from the centre, and once they've grown a few inches tall, you can transplant them into the ground to continue growing.

Celery

After using celery, save the bottom part (around 2 inches) with the root end intact. Place it in a shallow dish with warm water and put it in a sunny location. In a week or two, you'll notice new leaves growing from the centre of the root. Once the new growth is substantial, transplant it into the soil, and you'll have a fresh celery plant ready to grow.

Carrots

The tops of carrots that are often discarded can be given a new life. Place the carrot tops in a dish with water, ensuring the water covers the cut end. Set it in a sunny spot, and within a few days, you'll see green sprouts emerging. While the tops won't produce more carrots, they are edible and can be used as a garnish or in salads.

Potatoes

If you have sprouting potatoes in your pantry, don't throw them away! Cut the potatoes into chunks, ensuring each piece has at least one "eye" or sprout. Let the cut pieces dry for a day to reduce the risk of rotting. Plant the chunks in the ground, making sure the sprouts face upwards. With proper care, they'll grow into healthy potato plants.

Garlic

When you have a garlic bulb that has begun to sprout, break it apart into individual cloves. Plant the cloves, pointed end up, in well-draining soil. Garlic prefers a sunny spot, and with regular watering, you'll soon have a new garlic bulb for harvest.

Ginger

If you've ever wondered how to grow ginger at home, it's quite simple. Take a piece of fresh ginger root with visible "eyes" or growth buds and plant it in a container or directly in the ground. Make sure the eye faces up and cover it with soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, and you'll soon witness new shoots and rhizomes forming.

These clever hacks allow you to have a constant supply of fresh produce right from your garden or windowsill. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a curious beginner, trying these regrowth techniques can add a fun and sustainable dimension to your gardening journey.

So, the next time you prepare vegetables in the kitchen, think twice before discarding those scraps—there might be a thriving garden waiting to sprout from them!