Regrow Vegetables From Scraps: Hara Pyaz, Lehsun, Aloo and Myths (Video)

Transcript

Ever wonder if that leftover spring onion can grow again? Let’s find out.

Ever wonder if that leftover spring onion can grow again? Let’s find out.

Regrow Kitchen Scraps

Ever wonder if that leftover spring onion can grow again? Let’s find out. In the next few minutes I’ll show you which scraps really bounce back, how to do it safely, and which ones are just garden lore.

At a glance

First, a quick snapshot. Some vegetables, spring onion roots, garlic cloves, potato eyes, lemongrass, mint, ginger and turmeric, can give you a full new crop. Others like lettuce, cabbage, celery and bok choy only give a single weak flush before they’re done. And remember the water rule: change it every day, and if it turns cloudy, slimy or smells bad, toss it out.

Which veggies can regrow?

The trick is simple. A scrap will only regrow if it still has a living point, a root plate, a bud, an eye, or a node. Leaves by themselves won’t sprout, and a cut root without a plate won’t either. Spring onions, garlic, potatoes, lemongrass, mint, ginger and turmeric all have those points, though ginger and turmeric are long-term projects that can take ten months or more.

Water-glass method, done safely

The easiest place to start is a short glass of water on a windowsill. Cut the scrap so three to five centimeters of the base stay attached, keeping any roots or a root plate intact. Place the base in just one or two centimeters of water, letting the cut top stay dry. Put the glass somewhere bright but out of harsh afternoon sun, and change the water every day, rinsing the roots and glass each time. If the water turns cloudy, gets slimy, or you see fuzzy mold, throw the whole thing away, those greens aren’t safe to eat and they can become mosquito breeding grounds.

Regrowing the winners

Spring onions are the fastest win. Keep about four centimeters of the white root end when you cut a bunch, and you’ll see fresh green shoots in two to three days. After a week you can snip the tops for cooking, and if you plant the bases two to three centimeters deep in a pot they’ll keep producing for months. Garlic works best when you plant the biggest, firmest cloves in a pot at least twenty to twenty-five centimeters deep, with drainage holes, during the cooler months of October and November. Push the cloves pointy side up about five centimeters deep and space them ten to twelve centimeters apart. In four to six weeks you can harvest a few green garlic leaves, but never take more than a third of each plant. Potatoes are a bit different, pick the eyes, place the whole tuber in a deep bucket or bag with plenty of water, and soon a new plant will emerge, eventually giving you fresh potatoes.

Myth: carrot tops grow carrots

A common myth is that the leafy top of a carrot will grow a new carrot. The truth is that the carrot you eat is a swollen taproot, and once you cut it off the plant has no way to produce another root. In water the top will sprout feathery leaves, which are fine to eat in a chutney or as a garnish, but you won’t get a new carrot. The same story applies to radish, beetroot and turnip tops, they’ll give you pretty foliage, not a fresh root.

Quick safety tips

A few safety reminders before you get too excited. Never eat greens that look slimy, smell bad, or have any mold, those should go straight to compost. Remember that potato leaves, stems, berries and any green spots on potatoes are toxic, so keep them away from children and pets and cut them off before cooking. Always wash regrown greens under running water before you eat them, and wash your hands with soap after handling soil. If you have any cuts, wear gloves to avoid irritation. Finally, don’t leave water-filled glasses or saucers standing for days; they become perfect breeding spots for mosquitoes, including those that can spread dengue.

Like, subscribe and comment

Found this helpful? A quick like tells us to make more like it. Subscribe, and drop a comment with your own question; we read them all.

Read the full guide

The complete article, with the full details and FAQs, is waiting for you on thecareonline.com, and there's plenty more to watch on our channel. Remember, this is general information, not medical advice; your own doctor knows your situation best.