11 Kitchen Scrap Gardening Ideas That Actually Work in Winter

Winter may seem like a time for your garden to take a break, but with a little creativity, you can keep things growing. Kitchen scraps are a fantastic way to start new plants while reducing waste. From carrot tops to avocado pits, there are plenty of items that can be repurposed for your winter garden. You will be amazed at what can sprout with just a little attention.

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Regrow Green Onions from Scraps

Green onions are an easy winter gardening project. Simply place the white root ends in a glass of water, leaving the tops above the waterline. Keep the glass near a window with plenty of light, and within days, you will see fresh green shoots begin to grow. Change the water every few days to keep the roots healthy, and you can enjoy a steady supply of green onions throughout the winter.

This method works well in small spaces, making it perfect for apartment dwellers. Green onions regrow quickly, so you will always have fresh garnish on hand for soups, salads, and stir-fries. It is a rewarding and low-maintenance way to use scraps while growing something useful in your kitchen. Plus, it requires very little effort to maintain.

Grow Carrot Greens from Tops

Carrot tops can be repurposed into a lovely indoor garden. Simply cut off the top of a carrot, leaving about 2 inches of the root, and place it in a shallow dish with water. Place it in a spot with indirect sunlight, and within a week, you should see green shoots appear. You can use the greens as an herb in salads or as a garnish for other dishes.

While you will not get full-sized carrots from this method, the greens make an excellent addition to your kitchen scraps garden. This is a great way to start small gardening projects that are perfect for the winter months. The tops also grow quickly, giving you a fresh supply of greens that are perfect for cooking or adding to smoothies. Keep the water fresh and change it regularly for best results.

Regrow Celery from the Base

You can regrow celery easily in a bowl of water. Cut off the base of the celery stalk, leaving about 2 inches. Place it in a shallow dish with the cut end submerged in water and place it on a windowsill. After a few weeks, new leaves and stalks will start to grow, and you will have a steady supply of fresh celery.

The best part of this method is that it requires very little space, making it great for small indoor gardens. Over time, the new stalks will grow stronger, and you can even transfer them to soil if you want to keep them growing long-term. The process is simple, and celery is a versatile plant to grow in the winter. You can use it in soups, stews, and salads.

Grow Lettuce from Scraps

Lettuce is another vegetable that can be regrown from scraps, making it an ideal winter gardening project. Cut off the base of a head of lettuce, leaving about 2 inches of the stem. Place the base in a shallow dish with water, making sure the bottom is submerged. In a few days, small leaves will start to grow, and you can continue to harvest fresh lettuce.

Lettuce thrives in cool conditions, making it perfect for indoor gardens during the winter months. This method is quick and easy, and you can use the fresh leaves in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It does not require a lot of space, so you can grow it in small containers or even on your kitchen windowsill. Just make sure to change the water regularly for the best results.

Grow Ginger from a Root

Growing ginger from kitchen scraps is a fun way to try a new plant in the winter. Start with a piece of fresh ginger root that has visible “eyes” or buds. Place the root in a shallow container with water, ensuring that the root is just partially submerged. After a few weeks, you will begin to see small shoots growing.

Once the shoots have grown enough, you can plant the ginger in soil for long-term growth. Ginger thrives in warm and humid conditions, so keep it in a spot with indirect sunlight. It can take a few months for the ginger to fully mature, but you will eventually have fresh ginger available for cooking and teas. This method is a great way to grow ginger without needing a garden.

Regrow Avocado Pits

You may have tossed avocado pits without thinking, but these seeds can be used to grow a beautiful indoor plant. Wash the seed thoroughly and insert toothpicks into it, placing it over a glass of water so that the bottom of the pit is submerged. After several weeks, roots will form, and a stem will begin to grow. Once the stem gets tall enough, you can transfer it to soil.

Though growing avocado trees from pits does not usually yield fruit indoors, the plants can make stunning houseplants. They are easy to care for and do well in sunny spots with occasional watering. Keep in mind that growing an avocado tree from a pit can take a long time, but it is a fun and sustainable project to try during the winter months. The tree’s glossy leaves will bring some greenery to your space.

Regrow Leeks from Scraps

Leeks can be regrown using the same technique as green onions. Simply cut off the root ends of leeks and place them in a shallow dish of water. Within a week, you will notice green shoots growing from the top. Change the water every few days, and the leeks will continue to grow, providing fresh greens to add to your meals.

This method works well for indoor gardening, especially during the colder months. Leeks are a great addition to soups, stews, and savory dishes, and regrowing them from scraps is an easy way to reduce waste while enjoying fresh produce. Keep them in a sunny spot for best results, and be sure to change the water regularly. These homegrown leeks will add a fresh touch to any dish.

Grow Herbs from Scraps

Many herbs can be regrown from scraps, such as basil, mint, and parsley. Simply place the cuttings from your herbs in a glass of water and place them in a spot with good sunlight. Within days, roots will begin to form, and new growth will start to emerge. When the roots are strong enough, transfer the herbs to soil.

Growing herbs from scraps is a fantastic way to add fresh flavors to your cooking while reducing waste. Most herbs do well in small containers and can thrive indoors during the winter months. This method is quick and easy, and you can have fresh herbs on hand whenever you need them for seasoning your meals. It’s a perfect project for winter gardening.

Regrow Sweet Potatoes from Slips

Sweet potatoes can be regrown by starting slips from the potato itself. Place a sweet potato in a jar of water, submerging part of the potato while keeping the top above the waterline. After a few weeks, you will see slips (shoots) growing from the potato. When the slips are large enough, remove them and place them in water until roots develop.

Sweet potatoes grow well in warm, sunny conditions, so make sure to place them near a bright window. After the roots have developed, transfer the slips to soil, and they will begin to grow. Though it can take several months to fully harvest sweet potatoes, this method allows you to start growing your own food indoors during the winter months. It is a great way to reuse kitchen scraps and grow something that will produce food later on.

Regrow Tomato Plants from Scrap

If you have leftover tomato scraps, you can easily regrow them indoors. Save a few seeds from ripe tomatoes and dry them out for a couple of days. Once they are dry, plant them in small pots with soil. Keep the pots in a sunny area, and the seeds will eventually sprout into new tomato plants.

Growing tomatoes indoors during the winter can be a challenge, but it is possible with the right conditions. You can start small with a few plants and give them the proper care, such as regular watering and enough sunlight. Eventually, you may even get a small crop of tomatoes to harvest. This is a fun way to extend the growing season into the winter months.

Grow Chives from Scraps

Chives can be regrown easily from the roots. Cut off the green tops of chives, leaving a few inches of the root behind. Place the roots in a glass of water, and they will quickly start growing new shoots. You can then transplant the chives into a small container with soil for continued growth.

Chives are a hardy herb that grows well in cool conditions, making them perfect for winter gardens. They require very little maintenance and can be used in a variety of dishes. By regrowing chives from scraps, you can enjoy fresh herbs year-round without spending money on store-bought ones. Just keep them in a sunny spot, and they will continue to thrive indoors.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.