Want to get more out of the foods you buy?

You can save money, reduce your waste, and even enjoy watching food regrow right in your kitchen windowsill. I know- it’s very exciting.

You just need a little water, light, and love- oh, and don’t forget the food scraps!

So without further ado, let’s get you growin’!

Basil

My basil plants never last long, so it’s exciting to re-pot my own from leftover basil stems.

Make your basil last infinitely longer by replanting it! Cut your basil below a lower hanging leaf and continue to trim off leaves along the bottom ¾ of the stem. Pop it in a glass of water (change the water every few days), and leave it in a bright place until roots appear.

Once you see some roots, you’re ready to give that lil guy a permanent home in a pot and mentally prepare yourself for all the yummy pesto you can now make.

Lettuce

Regrowing one stump of romaine lettuce won’t yield enough for a full meal, but on the bright side- it does grow rather quickly.

Regardless, there’s nothing to lose because you were just going to throw it away otherwise, right? Or maybe you were going to compost it (See my post about composting if you want to learn how!)?

I mean, what could an environmentalist love more than turning waste into a resource?

So, when you’re chopping up that store-bought lettuce head into a salad, save the bottom stump by cutting an inch or so above it. Place it in a quarter inch of water, and let it catch some rays. Change the water every couple of days, and enjoy some homegrown lettuce leaves after 10-12 days!

Green Onions

How does an endless supply of fresh scallions sound?

Next time you buy a bunch of green onions at the store or farmer’s market, think twice before you throw the bulbs away!

Save a couple of inches of the white end and put it in an inch of water in a small jar.

Change the water every few days and let the sun work its magic.

If you’re eager for more, check out these great infographics from Food Revolution for 16 more foods that you can regrow at home.

Happy growin’!

S.

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