We often think of food scraps, as, well, scraps. We toss them, or hopefully compost, and never think twice about them. The truth is, these scraps are very much valuable; many kinds can be grown into fruits and vegetables once again with the proper care and attention.
Here’s some types:
Leafy vegetables are the easiest scraps to regrow. From romaine lettuce to bok choy to celery, leafy scraps can be placed in any sunny environment; with regular watering, your greenies will be ready to harvest.
Bulbous veggies are another category of scraps common in the kitchen. Green onions, fennel, and lemongrass all root quite easily; placing young roots in water and more mature roots directly into soil will produce a new batch of delicious vegetables.
Root crops are eaten for the root, and the leaves are readily discarded; these parts of root crops, however, regrow to become good components for salads and sautés. Take some of your beets or turnips, cut off the top, and place it in water. Soon, fresh greens will begin to emerge.
Fruits are no exception to food scrap gardening. Citrus fruits, such as limes or oranges, grow well from the seeds we often dispose of. You won’t immediately get a fruit tree, but one day it will grow to become a valuable member of your backyard. In the meantime, they serve as fragrant houseplants. Avocados are another example, where the seed may be taken and propagated in water; with regular watering, the seed and its roots can eventually be transplanted to soil where it will transform into an avocado tree.
After you have successfully moved your rooted scraps to the garden, they will need the same care you give to any one of your other plants. Regular water, fertilizer, and pest control are a few of the necessities in ensuring that your fruits and vegetables grow healthily. We recommend the Integrated Pest Management system. For those who don’t have garden space, scraps can be grown in jars inside the home, soon to be available for use in the kitchen once again. All in all, growing fruits and veggies from food scraps is an additional step that is easy and sustainable. For tips on growing avocados in Contra Costa, check here and here.
Make it a challenge. The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge is encouraging action that promotes the well-being of the planet and of humanity. Take the opportunity to measure your carbon footprint, become aware, and commit to learning a sustainable lifestyle.
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