Kitchen Scraps to Grow New Plants – A How To
How to Reuse Kitchen Scraps to New Grow New Plants (Fruits, Veggies, and Succulents + MORE!)
While under self-isolation or spending more time at home, try to save money by learning how to reuse kitchen scraps to grow new plants! This is not only fun, but it also is a cool, easy hobby to do indoors or in your own backyard. And, if it works, it can save you money on grocery prices; while, also, avoiding crowds.
While it may take some time, my suggestion is to use some things that you would otherwise throw away – or that can be easily reused (such as flower pots, tupperware or take-out containers if you wash them out). So, yes you can reuse kitchen scraps to grow new ones (or other types of plants, such as succulents!).
1. Tomatoes
Now, for the tomatoes steps to regrow using kitchen scraps for new tomato plants:
- Here I began by slicing a few cherry tomatoes that were probably close to inedible. But, make sure you should a few slices with plenty of seeds!
- Then, I put them in an old Tupperware container with some soil underneath and a little bit above.
- If you look at the pictures below, you will note that this container is not deep. And they will need to be moved as they grow more.
- But for the re-growing effort, it worked out well and using supplies I had.
- So, there is soil underneath the tomato slices, and then I put soil of about a quarter-inch over them.
- Next, I took some plastic wrap from paper towels I had bought to recycle it.
- And wrapped that over the Tupperware, along with punching a few holes in the plastic for breathability.
- This provides a humidity effect.
- Pay attention to the dewdrops on the plastic to see if they may be under or overwatered. Do not over-water them!!
Now the Wait
For me, I watered 1-2 days depending on how much sun there was coming in. So, if it was pretty sunny, and they were on a window sill inside, then the soil may dry a bit faster.
And in about 1-2 weeks they began to sprout. YAY!
I also added an old banana peel for fertilization.
2. Green Onions
Now, for a beginner’s how-to on how to reuse kitchen scraps to grow new plants – green onions work fantastic. And are super quick!
How to Reuse Kitchen Scraps to Regrow New Plants with Green Onions EASILY
- For these, I cut off the root part at the end (which you would likely cut off anyways) and just about half an inch at most.
- Then I stuck four of these end roots in the soil in a potted plant, but I did not have them fully covered in soil. Also, I did not add plastic on top of them.
A good soil to use is found here:
Now for how these have been done, here are a few pictures! For now, they are just in another tupperware container that I had around from previously buying groceries (washed of course).
Pictures of them!
And they are looking quite well under 2 weeks!
3. Succulents
While not a plant you find in your kitchen per se, succulent leaves need to be pruned and can regrow into brand new succulents pretty well!
Simply place the leaves on top of the soil and perhaps put a little bit of soil on top of the end part of the leaf you plucked off. Also, know not all of them will regrow, so be patient!
Picture
Now the middle one in this picture used to be just one leaf cut from another succulent. Once it grew roots and more leaves, I moved it!
I have a few others I am working on, and keep working on! So this is a fun way to try regrowing things.
And, I like this soil for succulents and cacti:
4. Garlic
Another great option to reuse kitchen scraps to grow new plants is garlic as a DIY gardener or hobby is garlic!
Steps
- For this one, you can either take a single clove or cut off the top part with the roots.
- Then, you put it in a pot (or container) with some high-quality dirt underneath and over it.
- So, I did not cover this one with plastic and will update when it grows! Since as you can see in my pictures, it is a bit slower!
- But it is also new.
- Keep it watered, but not too watered, and keep it by the sun.
- For me, I like to check a little into the soil to see if it is damp down were the roots are.
Picture
Since this one is newer, you cannot see sprouts much yet. But I will update!
5. Reuse Kitchen Scraps to Grow New Plants – More Ideas
Here are a few more ideas to try out if you want to regrow kitchen scraps for new plants:
- Lettuce
- White onion
- Potatoes
- Herbs (which I have done with seeds – see below!)
- Fruit
- Peppers (using seeds from dried out ones usually, and note that they take longer to sprout)
- And more
Now, here are a few other gardening efforts….
Pictures
Rosemary with seeds:
I placed plastic over it (Suran wrap) for humidity and only watered every few days. It will need to be moved but grew faster than the Thyme. About a week versus 2+.
Painting Pots – Another Fun Hobby & Personal Touch to Add to Your Planting!
So one cool other hobby is to paint pots which works great with acrylic paint, terra cotta pots, and ink, such as this one:
But there are many options. While I will post more soon, I suggest checking out my Pinterest board too! Also, I post a lot of my inspirations under Apartment>Indoor Garden and Crafts. But look forward to an upcoming post on more crafts and fun!
For an acrylic paint option of a set of colors, check out this reasonably priced one:
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And for some Terra Cotta plant pots with saucers for draining, see here:
And for some ways how I used my home grown food, see here!
Final thoughts
So I believe trying out new things and ways to save money is a fun and easy activity to do. If you have the materials already, then it is worth the try! Also, a great way to save money.
For more, see these posts:
- Save Money and Time Posts – Master List
- Money Making Master List of Ways to Make Money
- Master List of Referral Codes
P.S.
If you are interested in instructions on how to make these or a painted plant pot/craft of your own, or just have questions, contact me!
