Shortly thereafter,
you should see
sprouts growing out
of the top of the
pieces. Once the
sprouts grow
to around
4 inches in
height, nip
them off and place
their ends in a
container of
water.
• Cut sweet potato in half
and suspend each half using
toothpicks or twigs above a
shallow container of water.
Roots should begin to form
after a few days.
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Any chunky sections of potato peel or
pieces of potato that include an 'eye' on
them (those small indentations from which
the shoots grow) can be replanted to
grow new potato plants. Simply take your
potato scraps, leave them to dry out slightly
overnight and plant them in the soil with the
eyes facing up.
Roots will grow
from the base
of these shoots.
As soon as
the roots are
growing, you
can plant them
in the soil.
sources: Discovery education Inc.; www.ruralsprout.com
Bonus: Use your regrown
vegetables and herbs
to try out a new recipe!
Fresh herbs - Basil, oregano, sage,
thyme, mint
• Remove the lower leaves and place at least
6-8 inches of the herb in water.
• Place on a windowsill and change the water
once a week.
• Use the leafy greens or plant in soil once a
new root system emerges.
Root vegetables - carrots, turnips,
parsnips, beets
• Retaining the tops (where the leaves and
stems join onto the root) from carrots,
turnips, and other root crops will allow you
to regrow them. Place the tops in a container
of water and new, green tops should begin to
grow in a matter of days.
• You can harvest and use the greens as they
grow, or you can allow the roots to continue
growing until the plants are ready to be
transplanted back into the ground.
Bulb vegetables - Green onions, fennel
• Cut off the end with the roots and leave an
inch of the vegetable.
• Place it root side down and place in ½ inch
of water.
• Put on a sunny windowsill and change the
water daily.
Leafy vegetables - celery, lettuce, bok
choy, cabbage
• Cut off the plant's base so it's at least 1 inch
tall.
• Place it cut side up in a shallow container and
add ½ inch of water.
• Put on a sunny windowsill and change the
water every couple of days.
• Use the leafy greens or plant in soil once a
new root system emerges.
You might be surprised to learn that you can give your kitchen scraps a new life by
regrowing them into full plants. See what you have in your kitchen and follow the directions below.
Grow it from groceries!
Can you grow food from kitchen scraps and groceries?
4 • June 2023 • www.officialKidsMag.com
