" Did you know that many of the stalks, beans, roots and seeds that end up in the trash could actually be the beginning of your future meals? If you do the grocery shopping for your family you will know that buying food isn’t cheap. With only a few easy-to-follow steps you can grow your own food from your kitchen bench. You may ask “Why regrow when we can conveniently go and buy another?”, well the answer here is simple. It saves money, reduces waste and is a perfect activity to involve kids in the process. If you’re ready to take your commitment to locally grown food to the next level then keep reading.
1. Celery
Celery has got to be one of the easiest foods to grow from leftover scraps. Simply follow the steps below.
Cut the base off your celery and place it into a bowl with a little warm water in the bottom
Place the bowl in direct sunlight for as long as possible every day
After 1 or 2 weeks you will see the leaves begin to thicken and new leaves begin to grow
Once leaves thicken and new leaf growth can be seen, transplant your celery in soil and wait for it to grow
2. Cilantro
Cilantro can regrow roots and grow new plants once replanted. Follow the steps below to grow your own bunch of cilantro.
Trim back the leaves from the bottom of the stems and place into a bowl of water
Place the jar into a sunny area and change the water every other day
Once the stems have sprouted plenty of new roots, plant in a pot with good quality soil
In a few months you will have a fully grown plant
Remember to water regularly
3. Avocado
Not every pit will produce roots so it’s best to try this with two or three at a time.
Remove any avocado remains by rinsing under cold water then towel drying
Evenly pierce the pit with four toothpicks
Use the toothpicks to balance the pit over a glass jar making sure the pit is pointy side up
Fill the jar with enough water to submerge half of the pit
Place in a sunlit area and change water every other day
In 3 to 6 weeks the pit will begin to open. After another 2 to 3 weeks, roots and leaves will begin to grow
After approximately 3 months your plant should be 7 to 8 inches tall
Fill pot with soil and plant your new tree, root side down in a 10-inch pot with adequate drainage
Keep the sapling in a sunny areas and remember to water regularly
4. Ginger
Ginger is a great addition to soups and stir fries but it can also be expensive. Here are some tips to help you grow your own ginger from scraps.
Cut off a 2 to 3 inch section of ginger from an existing piece you have at home
Place in potting soil with the smallest buds facing down buried into the soil
Place the pot in indirect sunlight until ginger begins to grow new shoots and roots
Next, pull up the entire plant including the new roots
Remove a piece of the new ginger rhizome and repeat again
5. Potatoes
Have you ever noticed your potatoes start sprouting if you’ve forgotten about them in the pantry? Next time, instead of throwing them out, try growing fresh new potatoes.
Peel potatoes making sure the sprouted “eyes” are still left on the skin
Allow peelings to dry overnight then simply bury about 4 inch deep in soil
Make sure the eyes are facing up when planting
In a few weeks your potatoes will begin to grow
6. Beans Sprouts
Bean sprouts are the perfect snack or addition to a salad. Check out the steps below to see how to grow your own bean sprouts.
In a container, soak 1 to 2 tablespoons of the beans you wish to sprout (mung beans work best)
Cover with shallow water and leave in the refrigerator overnight
In the morning, drain off the water and put the beans back into the container
Cover the container with a towel overnight and rinse the following morning
Continue this process until you notice the beans beginning to sprout
7. Pumpkins
Pumpkins are filled with seeds that we always dispose of without thinking. Here are the steps you need to grow pumpkins from your own backyard.
Next time you cut open a pumpkin, save a few fresh seeds for planting
Spread the seeds out in a sunny area and cover with soil
Keep the soil moist and water only when needed
The seeds will begin to sprout in only a couple of days
8. Lettuce
Lettuce is a salad staple in almost every household. Follow the steps below to grow a new head of lettuce from your kitchen bench.
In a large bowl filled 2 inches deep with water, place the base of the lettuce stalk facing upwards
Place the bowl into a sunlit area and sprinkle with water morning and evening for 4 to 5 days
Once roots and new leaves being to grow, transplant into your garden bed"
I do hope you've found this interesting ... but please bear in mind that some of the suggestions for growing these foods may not be suitable for you.
If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. Those who are diabetic often find that potatoes will raise blood sugar numbers, and are best avoided.
If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. Those who are diabetic often find that potatoes will raise blood sugar numbers, and are best avoided.
If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.
However, I wonder - will you be tempted to grow your own - or do you already?
All the best Jan
However, I wonder - will you be tempted to grow your own - or do you already?
All the best Jan
6 comments:
I'm going to try the celery. : )
Some good tips. I remember growing carrot tops when I was a child, obviously not to eat myself but my bunny rabbit certainly enjoyed them.
"Pumpkins"
We did this by accident once when I was a kid. Leftover pumpkin seeds and pulp went into a compost pile in the yard. The next Fall we had pumpkins!
Good suggestions. My brother grows a pineapples inside--they are not as sweet, but he get a lot of satisfaction from it.
Wow -- what good ideas! Now that we'll be at home for awhile, i need to try some of them!
Got to be worth a go if growing veg is your thing.
Lisa x
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