How to regrow your veg from scraps: potatoes<\/h2>![\"Potato](\"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Sprouting-potato.jpg\")
Look for green sprouts from old potatoes – Image by Nikki Simmons<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Amazingly, you can regrow potatoes from little sections or even thick peelings \u2014 as long as there\u2019s an eye that\u2019s started to sprout. <\/p>
This is an excellent tip for those of us who always find a couple of stray potatoes at the bottom of the bag that appears to have gone off. If they\u2019ve started sprouting \u2014 even a little \u2014 you\u2019re onto the potential for a bumper crop!<\/p>
All you need to do is leave the scraps to dry out a little overnight, then plant them in the soil \u2014 sprouting eyes facing upwards, just like you would with seed potatoes. <\/p>
Then, keep watered, and wait for the plant to emerge. <\/p>
Regrow your veg using the toothpick method<\/h2>![\"Avocado](\"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Avocado-the-toothpick-method.jpg\")
The toothpick method works with a wide range of veg<\/figcaption><\/figure>Some veg needs to develop sprouting roots before you can plant them. <\/p>
The toothpick method works for:<\/p>
- Sweet potatoes<\/li>\n\n
- Avocados<\/li>\n\n
- Celery<\/li>\n\n
- Lettuce and leafy greens<\/li><\/ul>
This method works by submerging the bottom half of a sweet potato, avocado stone, celery root, or lettuce root in a glass of water, using three cocktail sticks to keep the upper half in the air. <\/p>
After submerging the base in water, you\u2019ll discover new roots \u2014 it will take a week or so. And once the roots look healthy and relatively dense, they\u2019re ready to plant in your garden \u2014 ready to produce a new crop! <\/p>
Transforming carrot tops into new plants<\/h2>
Sure, Michelin-starred chefs might use carrot greens in creative ways, but most home cooks chop off the top centimetre of the carrot, along with the sprouting greens. And then we chuck them in the compost. <\/p>
But this is a waste because carrots, turnips, beetroots, and radishes will grow back. <\/p>
Just submerge the top scrap of the veg in a shallow saucer of water. Don\u2019t let the water touch the greenery at the top, or it\u2019ll rot. And in a week or so, you\u2019ll see the first signs of new growth. Wait until the new growth is at least 10cm in height, then replant, submerging just the first centimetre of the greenery. <\/p>
This will work even if the greens have already been chopped off at the supermarket \u2014 all you need is the \u201cnipple\u201d at the top of the veg for it to work. <\/p>
Regrowing onions, garlic, and shallots<\/h2>
Onions, leeks, garlic, and shallots always come with the roots attached, making them ideal for regrowth.<\/p>
Spring onions<\/h3>
When you chop a spring onion, leave at least 2cm from the roots intact. Then, place the root end in a shallow glass of water on a sunny windowsill (being careful to leave the upper onion exposed to the air). And within a week or so, new onion growth will appear \u2014 and in around three weeks, you should have a fresh spring onion. <\/p>
This will work almost endlessly.<\/p>
Onions<\/h3>
Regular onions are great for regrowth. Just cut off the root of the onion as you usually would, then place the scrap root end in shallow water \u2014 again, ensuring that the upper part of the onion is exposed to the air. <\/p>
You\u2019ll notice sprouting from the air-exposed section within a couple of weeks. These are new onion bulbs \u2014 allow them to swell, then separate them and plant them in the garden. <\/p>
Garlic<\/h3>
You can plant garlic bulbs directly into your garden. So, next time you buy a new bulb, remove a couple of cloves, then dig them into your garden soil \u2014 root-end down. <\/p>
After a few months, you\u2019ll see green shoots emerging from the soil surface. After a year, each individual clove will grow into a new bulb. You need frost to force the clove to split into separate bulbs, so plant a garlic bulb in spring or summer and just leave the plants in the ground over the winter. You\u2019ll be able to dig up your new garlic bulbs the following autumn.<\/p>
Bulb fennel<\/h3>![\"Fennel](\"https:\/\/moowy.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fennel-bulbs.jpg\")
Fennel bulbs – Image by congerdesign<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>It can be pretty tricky to get hold of bulb fennel in supermarkets, so never throw away the root end. Just like celery, use the toothpick method to submerge the root end in a glass of water. <\/p>
And as soon as new shoots sprout from the middle of the base, it\u2019s time to replant it in a sunny spot to grow into a new fennel plant. <\/p>
You can harvest fennel herb from the fronds at the top of the plant while the bulb swells to full size in the ground. Only take the tops, however, because removing too much greenery will negatively affect the bulb\u2019s growth. <\/p>
Regrow your cabbages<\/p>
One of the easiest veg to regrow is the ordinary cabbage. <\/p>
Simply cut off the root end, make a cross cut with a knife, and shallow-plant it in your garden soil. After a few months, you\u2019ll see a second cabbage head appear!<\/p>
Like magic!<\/p>
Regrow your leafy herbs<\/h3>
You can regrow many leafy herbs, such as:<\/p>
Amazingly, you can regrow potatoes from little sections or even thick peelings \u2014 as long as there\u2019s an eye that\u2019s started to sprout. <\/p>
This is an excellent tip for those of us who always find a couple of stray potatoes at the bottom of the bag that appears to have gone off. If they\u2019ve started sprouting \u2014 even a little \u2014 you\u2019re onto the potential for a bumper crop!<\/p>
All you need to do is leave the scraps to dry out a little overnight, then plant them in the soil \u2014 sprouting eyes facing upwards, just like you would with seed potatoes. <\/p>
Then, keep watered, and wait for the plant to emerge. <\/p>
Regrow your veg using the toothpick method<\/h2>The toothpick method works with a wide range of veg<\/figcaption><\/figure>Some veg needs to develop sprouting roots before you can plant them. <\/p>
The toothpick method works for:<\/p>
- Sweet potatoes<\/li>\n\n
- Avocados<\/li>\n\n
- Celery<\/li>\n\n
- Lettuce and leafy greens<\/li><\/ul>
This method works by submerging the bottom half of a sweet potato, avocado stone, celery root, or lettuce root in a glass of water, using three cocktail sticks to keep the upper half in the air. <\/p>
After submerging the base in water, you\u2019ll discover new roots \u2014 it will take a week or so. And once the roots look healthy and relatively dense, they\u2019re ready to plant in your garden \u2014 ready to produce a new crop! <\/p>
Transforming carrot tops into new plants<\/h2>
Sure, Michelin-starred chefs might use carrot greens in creative ways, but most home cooks chop off the top centimetre of the carrot, along with the sprouting greens. And then we chuck them in the compost. <\/p>
But this is a waste because carrots, turnips, beetroots, and radishes will grow back. <\/p>
Just submerge the top scrap of the veg in a shallow saucer of water. Don\u2019t let the water touch the greenery at the top, or it\u2019ll rot. And in a week or so, you\u2019ll see the first signs of new growth. Wait until the new growth is at least 10cm in height, then replant, submerging just the first centimetre of the greenery. <\/p>
This will work even if the greens have already been chopped off at the supermarket \u2014 all you need is the \u201cnipple\u201d at the top of the veg for it to work. <\/p>
Regrowing onions, garlic, and shallots<\/h2>
Onions, leeks, garlic, and shallots always come with the roots attached, making them ideal for regrowth.<\/p>
Spring onions<\/h3>
When you chop a spring onion, leave at least 2cm from the roots intact. Then, place the root end in a shallow glass of water on a sunny windowsill (being careful to leave the upper onion exposed to the air). And within a week or so, new onion growth will appear \u2014 and in around three weeks, you should have a fresh spring onion. <\/p>
This will work almost endlessly.<\/p>
Onions<\/h3>
Regular onions are great for regrowth. Just cut off the root of the onion as you usually would, then place the scrap root end in shallow water \u2014 again, ensuring that the upper part of the onion is exposed to the air. <\/p>
You\u2019ll notice sprouting from the air-exposed section within a couple of weeks. These are new onion bulbs \u2014 allow them to swell, then separate them and plant them in the garden. <\/p>
Garlic<\/h3>
You can plant garlic bulbs directly into your garden. So, next time you buy a new bulb, remove a couple of cloves, then dig them into your garden soil \u2014 root-end down. <\/p>
After a few months, you\u2019ll see green shoots emerging from the soil surface. After a year, each individual clove will grow into a new bulb. You need frost to force the clove to split into separate bulbs, so plant a garlic bulb in spring or summer and just leave the plants in the ground over the winter. You\u2019ll be able to dig up your new garlic bulbs the following autumn.<\/p>
Bulb fennel<\/h3>Fennel bulbs – Image by congerdesign<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>It can be pretty tricky to get hold of bulb fennel in supermarkets, so never throw away the root end. Just like celery, use the toothpick method to submerge the root end in a glass of water. <\/p>
And as soon as new shoots sprout from the middle of the base, it\u2019s time to replant it in a sunny spot to grow into a new fennel plant. <\/p>
You can harvest fennel herb from the fronds at the top of the plant while the bulb swells to full size in the ground. Only take the tops, however, because removing too much greenery will negatively affect the bulb\u2019s growth. <\/p>
Regrow your cabbages<\/p>
One of the easiest veg to regrow is the ordinary cabbage. <\/p>
Simply cut off the root end, make a cross cut with a knife, and shallow-plant it in your garden soil. After a few months, you\u2019ll see a second cabbage head appear!<\/p>
Like magic!<\/p>
Regrow your leafy herbs<\/h3>
You can regrow many leafy herbs, such as:<\/p>
Some veg needs to develop sprouting roots before you can plant them. <\/p>
The toothpick method works for:<\/p>
- Sweet potatoes<\/li>\n\n
- Avocados<\/li>\n\n
- Celery<\/li>\n\n
- Lettuce and leafy greens<\/li><\/ul>
This method works by submerging the bottom half of a sweet potato, avocado stone, celery root, or lettuce root in a glass of water, using three cocktail sticks to keep the upper half in the air. <\/p>
After submerging the base in water, you\u2019ll discover new roots \u2014 it will take a week or so. And once the roots look healthy and relatively dense, they\u2019re ready to plant in your garden \u2014 ready to produce a new crop! <\/p>
Transforming carrot tops into new plants<\/h2>
Sure, Michelin-starred chefs might use carrot greens in creative ways, but most home cooks chop off the top centimetre of the carrot, along with the sprouting greens. And then we chuck them in the compost. <\/p>
But this is a waste because carrots, turnips, beetroots, and radishes will grow back. <\/p>
Just submerge the top scrap of the veg in a shallow saucer of water. Don\u2019t let the water touch the greenery at the top, or it\u2019ll rot. And in a week or so, you\u2019ll see the first signs of new growth. Wait until the new growth is at least 10cm in height, then replant, submerging just the first centimetre of the greenery. <\/p>
This will work even if the greens have already been chopped off at the supermarket \u2014 all you need is the \u201cnipple\u201d at the top of the veg for it to work. <\/p>
Regrowing onions, garlic, and shallots<\/h2>
Onions, leeks, garlic, and shallots always come with the roots attached, making them ideal for regrowth.<\/p>
Spring onions<\/h3>
When you chop a spring onion, leave at least 2cm from the roots intact. Then, place the root end in a shallow glass of water on a sunny windowsill (being careful to leave the upper onion exposed to the air). And within a week or so, new onion growth will appear \u2014 and in around three weeks, you should have a fresh spring onion. <\/p>
This will work almost endlessly.<\/p>
Onions<\/h3>
Regular onions are great for regrowth. Just cut off the root of the onion as you usually would, then place the scrap root end in shallow water \u2014 again, ensuring that the upper part of the onion is exposed to the air. <\/p>
You\u2019ll notice sprouting from the air-exposed section within a couple of weeks. These are new onion bulbs \u2014 allow them to swell, then separate them and plant them in the garden. <\/p>
Garlic<\/h3>
You can plant garlic bulbs directly into your garden. So, next time you buy a new bulb, remove a couple of cloves, then dig them into your garden soil \u2014 root-end down. <\/p>
After a few months, you\u2019ll see green shoots emerging from the soil surface. After a year, each individual clove will grow into a new bulb. You need frost to force the clove to split into separate bulbs, so plant a garlic bulb in spring or summer and just leave the plants in the ground over the winter. You\u2019ll be able to dig up your new garlic bulbs the following autumn.<\/p>
Bulb fennel<\/h3>
Fennel bulbs – Image by congerdesign<\/a> from Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> It can be pretty tricky to get hold of bulb fennel in supermarkets, so never throw away the root end. Just like celery, use the toothpick method to submerge the root end in a glass of water. <\/p>
And as soon as new shoots sprout from the middle of the base, it\u2019s time to replant it in a sunny spot to grow into a new fennel plant. <\/p>
You can harvest fennel herb from the fronds at the top of the plant while the bulb swells to full size in the ground. Only take the tops, however, because removing too much greenery will negatively affect the bulb\u2019s growth. <\/p>
Regrow your cabbages<\/p>
One of the easiest veg to regrow is the ordinary cabbage. <\/p>
Simply cut off the root end, make a cross cut with a knife, and shallow-plant it in your garden soil. After a few months, you\u2019ll see a second cabbage head appear!<\/p>
Like magic!<\/p>
Regrow your leafy herbs<\/h3>
You can regrow many leafy herbs, such as:<\/p>