Renting shouldn’t stop you from flexing your green thumb! Even without a garden, you can cultivate fresh produce right on your windowsill, reducing food waste and enjoying the satisfaction of growing your own food. Believe it or not, many everyday kitchen scraps can be given a second life, transforming into delicious and nutritious ingredients. Here are 10 surprisingly easy foods you can regrow from scraps in your apartment:
Leafy Greens for Days
Leafy greens like lettuce, bok choy, and romaine are incredibly easy to regrow. Simply save the bottom inch or two of the stem and place it in a shallow dish of water, making sure the cut end is submerged. Place the dish on a sunny windowsill and change the water every day or two. You’ll see new leaves sprouting within a week. Once the roots are established, you can transplant the greens into a small pot with soil.
1. Lettuce & Bok Choy
These leafy greens thrive in shallow dishes of water and quickly sprout new leaves, perfect for salads.
2. Romaine
Similar to lettuce, romaine hearts can be regrown in water and later transferred to soil for continued growth.
Root Vegetables: From Scrap to Supper
Certain root vegetables can be coaxed back to life with minimal effort. While you won’t get a full-sized vegetable from scraps, you can enjoy fresh greens that are equally delicious.
3. Carrot Greens
Suspend the top inch or two of a carrot in a shallow dish of water. Soon, you’ll have beautiful, feathery carrot greens that are perfect for adding to salads, pesto, or as a garnish. You won’t regrow a full carrot, but the greens are packed with flavor.
4. Beet Greens
Similar to carrots, beet tops can be regrown in water for delicious, nutrient-rich greens. These add a vibrant color and earthy flavor to your dishes.
Alliums: A Continuous Supply
5. Green Onions/Scallions
Don’t toss the white root ends of green onions! Place them in a glass with a little water, changing the water every couple of days. You’ll have a constant supply of fresh green onions within a week.
Aromatic Herbs on Your Windowsill
Fresh herbs elevate any dish, and regrowing them from scraps is remarkably easy. Just a few sprigs can lead to a thriving mini herb garden on your windowsill.
6. Basil
Place basil cuttings in a glass of water in a sunny spot. Once roots develop, transfer them to small pots. Basil loves warmth and sunshine.
7. Mint
Like basil, mint cuttings readily root in water and can then be potted. Be sure to contain mint in a pot, as it can become invasive if planted directly in the ground (or a larger shared container).
8. Cilantro
Cilantro stems can be regrown in water, similar to basil and mint. However, cilantro prefers cooler temperatures, so avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Flavorful Additions from Scraps
9. Celery
The base of a celery bunch can be regrown in water. It might not produce a full stalk, but you’ll get tender inner celery leaves that are perfect for adding to salads or soups.
10. Ginger
A small piece of ginger root with a visible “eye” or growth bud can be planted in a pot with soil, keeping it moist and warm. New ginger shoots will emerge, providing you with fresh ginger for your culinary adventures.
Regrowing food from scraps is a simple, sustainable practice that everyone can embrace, even in a small apartment. It’s a rewarding way to reduce your environmental impact, save money, and enjoy the freshness of homegrown produce right on your windowsill. Happy growing!
