How to Regrow Herbs, Vegetables, and Fruits From Scraps at Home

Why Should I Grow My Own Food?

Well, the most amazing things happen when you grow your own food!

• Great for apartments or houses: Teach your family or yourself how to grow food, even in a small apartment or using containers on the deck or patio. It doesn't have to take a lot of room.
• Go organic: Not only will the fruits, veggies, or herbs taste great, but they can be organic as well, as long as you don't use chemicals or pesticides. If you follow the instructions that I give you below, you can grow all these fruits and vegetables yourself.
• Get everyone involved: If you have children or grandchildren, get them involved. If you have room give them their own spot in the garden or a container or two. The reaction you get when they get to eat the foods they grow is amazing. They will grin from ear to ear.

Whether you regrow from the veggies you have or from the seeds, you'll be happy you grew it yourself. I included herbs because, not only are they easy to grow, they also add a lot of flavors to our food.

Now, let's get on with it. You'll be eating your food faster than you think.

Do You Grow Your Food?

Grow Your Own Veggies

Vegetables That Regenerate

I've found that I can easily grow six different types of veggies from scraps. After the general instructions, you'll find some pictures that should help clarify how to cut these items and prepare them.

• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Celery
• Green onions
• Potato
• Garlic

1. The first four veggies can be cut during your meal preparation. Leave at least 2 inches for regrowth. That's right, don't throw it away.
2. Place it in a jar or glass, and grow more food. Just remember: you are going to be using the root or growth end. Don't cut into the end or damage it. Set aside and get a jar or glass for each of these foods.
3. Add a small amount of water, and place each in the water.
4. Add more water as needed.
5. You can harvest just a few stalks or plant a few in the dirt. You will keep them growing longer by cutting pieces and not the whole plant. You can grow as little or as much as you have room for or want to grow.

Carrots

Carrots are a root vegetable and are started the same way as the other veggies listed above. The only difference is that it's the top of the carrot you will be growing.

1. So this time cut about 1 inch below the carrot greens across the top portion. I found out the carrots with the black tops won't grow. Make sure you buy ones that have greens growing out of the top.
2. Then place in the jar or cup of water.
3. Once you see root coming from the carrot, then suspend it over the glass with toothpicks so the carrot can grow. If you are growing a few, then plant in containers outside. If you need a lot, then start them from seed in the garden. They don't take long to grow.
4. Let a few go to seed, and use them to grow more next year.

Note: Turnips can be grown the same way.

Lettuce

Lettuce also grows well in glass or jars. Referencing the picture above, you want to cut near the top edge of the knife. Remember not to cut too short. There's a picture below that will show you how to stick toothpicks in it so that it can grow before you plant it. If you want your lettuce to last longer, remember to only harvest a few leaves at a time and never pull the whole plant.

Celery and Green Onions

Each of these is amazing to watch grow. When planted in the glass jars, your children can watch them grow.

• With these three plants, you are growing the root end, and it grows through the food portion you just cut off.
• Remember not to cut too short.
• Cut them in about the same place you see the rubber band in the green onion picture.
• For the green onions, only cut a couple of the greens off of each plant. This keeps it producing longer.
• Don't pull the whole plant. Then watch the magic happen.

Potatoes

1. For growing a potato, cut into 3 or 4 pieces. Make sure there is at least one eye on each one. The eye is where the root and new plant will grow.
2. If growing in a container use 2 per pot. This is in case one doesn't grow. I recommend you grow them on your deck or patio.
3. Hill the dirt or add more dirt once the plant blooms. They will need more dirt as the potatoes grow underground.
4. If you have room for a garden, then put them in the dirt and hill when needed. You will get at least 5 potatoes per plant, sometimes more.
5. Plant according to your family size. For a family of four, we pull a plant per meal, depending on the potato size. If you find potato already sprouting, buy them. That way you don't have to buy seed potatoes.

Garlic

1. Don't peel.
2. Separate into cloves; break apart.
3. Place the root ball end in the dirt. Push it in till the top is just sticking out of the soil. You don't need to bury them completely. They can be grown in containers or out in the yard. They also do well in small containers on the counter near the window.
4. Garlic will produce tops; don't allow it to bloom. You need the energy to go into growing the new bulb.

More Veggies That You Can Regrow

Let's Get Herbaceous

6 Easy-to-Grow Herbs

Grow these flavourful herbs:

1. Basil
2. Parsley
3. Lemon balm
4. Mint
5. Rosemary
6. Thyme

Growing Herbs Endlessly

Whether you live in the country with lots of space for a garden or in an apartment and keep your herbs on the counter. These herbs can take up as much or as little room as you want. The picture below shows how easy it is to grow in pots inside on the wall or hanging on the deck, which is a great solution if you don't have enough counter space. Start by buying them in the fresh salad area of your grocery store or food market. Bring them home and follow these steps.

1. Use the same amount of jars as you have herb bundles.
2. Fill each jar with about 2 inches of water.
3. Snap the tip and bottom of each herb bundle, and place it into the glass or jar of water.
4. Place a ziplock or sandwich bag over each herb bundle, creating a mini-greenhouse for each.
5. Place in the fridge or on your counter. Where you should put them depends on the weather and how long it takes you to use them. (I put them in the fridge)
6. Add more water as needed.
7. If you have more room or use them in larger amounts, then buy in containers from your local greenhouse instead. Then transplant them into small pots and hang like the pictures below. You will have an endless amount of fresh herbs.

The one plant I put outside is thyme. It fits nicely between the stepping stones along the pathway to my garden. When you pick some or rub them, they give off a wonderful aroma. These herbs can also be planted in larger containers on your deck or patio. Lemon balm will keep the pests away. Mint is good in tea or cold drinks. Mint comes in chocolate or apple; they smell wonderful, and I love them both. The great thing about herbs is that most can be regrown from the cuttings. So, if there's an herb that you love but don't see here, be brave and take a piece of the plant and strip off a few leaves. A new plant will likely grow from it.

Foods That Contain Their Own Seeds

These vegetables and fruits contain their seeds within them. They are easy to grow, and they all grow on vines (except the tomato). The tomato can be grown in the same type of container and doesn't have to be transplanted into the garden. Just don't grow them near peppers; they are not companion plants. Just make sure they have a trellis or support for the weight of the vegetables or fruit.

• Squash
• Pumpkin
• Peppers and chillies
• Tomato
• Watermelon, not the seedless kind

Some other plants that grow from their seed, not pictured here are:

• Peas
• Beans
• Cucumber
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew
• Cucamelons

I grow them in the greenhouse. You don't have to, though. They grow just fine in containers.

1. To collect the seeds from the food before you serve it, scoop them out.
2. Separate them from the flesh.
3. Rinse under water and place on paper towel.
4. Let dry for a day or two.
5. Now they are ready to plant.
6. Use the starter pots or whatever small containers you have laying around. Even the containers you have from last year will work. If you go to garage sales, you can sometimes get them for free.
7. Use peat pellets or starter soil, and gently press each seed into the soil.
8. Cover over and water in.
9. If you choose to grow your fruits/veggies up a trellis or netting, you can use twist ties or tie straps to help the vine attach as it grows.
10. When they develop after blooming, place netting around each for added support as they grow. this will keep from breaking off the vine.

From my house to yours, may your food nourish you and may the rain provide all moisture your plants need to thrive.

© 2017 Terrie Lynn

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on August 19, 2018:

Thank you, Silvia. Let me know if you have any questions. Nice to see someone growing their food. have a great week.

Silvia on August 16, 2018:

Terri

Tnx a million for your clear instructions on growing these herbs and veggies. Can't wait to get started.

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 26, 2017:

Oh, Vocal coach, this means so much to me. I put a lot of work and heart into my garden and food for my family. Another Hubber said to write about how to be more self-sufficient. This article is because of that comment. No, they don't need holes as long as you put in gravel or little absorbent beads. It gives a space for the water to sit until the plant needs it. None of my pots have drainage holes. Thank you for your kind words.

Audrey Hunt from Idyllwild Ca. on May 26, 2017:

You've provided a great service for those who live in small spaces and with conditions not suitable for a garden. This information is not only amazing, it's beneficial.

I love your list of foods that contain their own seeds. These photos are worth a 1000,00 words! I have a simple question. Do all vegetables and herb containers have to have drainage holes?

Thank you Terrie for this Class A hub.

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 23, 2017:

Jacqklin, thats great. I grow a lot of other foods too. we built a new green house and need to put the siding on then we can put more plants in. We have made our garden 3 times bigger than last year. We have so much rain, we are late getting started.

jacqklin from ITALY on May 22, 2017:

I do the same thing grow everything and anything...and will add anything you don't mention so you can try other things...

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 16, 2017:

Thank you, Jacqklin. I am going to update as soon as the rain stops. I can't plant anything right now. I added some of the plants I have in the house right now and herbs. I can't wait to get outside. We have pools of water everywhere.

jacqklin from ITALY on May 15, 2017:

Lovely article

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 12, 2017:

Hi fern. That's great. My friend uses the community garden. She live in an apartment. I have some of these Veggies growing now in water. Others will be outside as soon as we finish putting plastic on the greenhouse. Enjoy your food, have a great weekend.

Fern Bailey from Michigan on May 12, 2017:

Awesome article! We don't have much room at our home, but my sister and brother-in-law have a huge garden that they let us raid. I do however grow garlic and some assorted herbs at home. The garlic is pretty invasive and you really need to keep it in check! I love it though and usually have a crop that is too much for just my husband and I so I give it away.

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 11, 2017:

Wow Tamara, that's great. We don't have the climate for pomegranate. You are so lucky. Carrots last along time, we have a cold room for winter storage. We are waiting for our fruit trees and more berries to arrive. Thank you for leaving a comment.

Tamara Moore on May 11, 2017:

Great article! I love gardening and do so in the backyard. I have planted tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and recently have a newly planted Pomegranate tree, Kumquat tree, and Thornless Blackberry Bush. I would love to plant some carrots, and garlic. I will look over your list, again!

Hugs,

Tamara

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 10, 2017:

Hi Dora, nice to hear from you. Thank you. I love to share ways to make our lives better, without it taking up space or costing a lot of money. Have a wonderful day.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on May 10, 2017:

Great suggestions and instructions. Thanks for sharing.

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 10, 2017:

Thank you for commenting. Yes it sure is better. In the long run it's cheaper than the prepackaged, junk foods. Growing foods always feels more fulfilling. My grandchildren enjoy it now too. Have a nice week and enjoy good food.

Lena Durante from San Francisco Bay Area on May 10, 2017:

Growing your own food saves so much money, because produce is expensive (especially organic)! It takes less work than you think, if you just put in a few minutes every morning. And everything really does taste better when it's straight out of the ground or off the vine.

Terrie Lynn (author) from Canada on May 09, 2017:

Hi Louise, yes it's amazing. So many foods don't take a lot of room to grow either. I have green onion and celery growing right now. Thank you for reading.

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on May 09, 2017:

I'm surprised you can regrow so much! Thanks for the advice. =)