How to Regrow Some of Your Favorite Green Vegetables

There is no doubt that organic and non-GMO vegetables are better quality produce. Organic vegetables are grown without using synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms and must be processed and packaged without additives, artificial colors or preservatives. Therefore, the end product is of better quality and is healthier for us to consume. For this, we often pay a higher price for the best possible food we could eat but it is worth the investment for good health.

It can be a financial struggle to buy the best quality food for our families so if there is a way for us to make our groceries last we should do everything we can to do so. Many people do not realize that they can easily regrow vegetables that they get from the grocery store or farmers market. You can also save the seeds of foods and replant them in your own gardens, planters, etc. This is highly recommended if you are buying organic and non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

The first time I tried to regrow a vegetable I tried green onions. I remember my mom used to do this trick when I was a kid and thought I would give it a try. If you cut off the green top part of the onion and put the white part with the roots still intact in a glass of water by a sunny window (all you need is about an inch of the white part with the roots). In a couple of days, the bulbs of the onions will start to sprout more greens. You can transplant them into soil or allow them to grow in the glass of water. Be sure to change the water daily, it will have a bad odor if you do not. Green onions are also referred to as spring onions or scallions.

Lettuce (romaine is popular), leeks, bok choy, cabbage, celery, and fennel can all be regrown from the root stump waste that you would typically throw away from the vegetable you buy from the supermarket. When you cut the stump off the vegetable you are going to use from the grocery store, cut about 1 to 2 inches from the root of the vegetable to leave a 1 to 2 inch stump to use to regrow. Remember to buy organic whenever possible! Place the stumps in a bowl or glass that has enough water to cover the stem/root of the vegetable. Do not allow the entire stump to get submerged in water. Place the bowl in a sunny window. Change the water every day and rinse the stump every day as well to help prevent mold growth. You can also peel away some of the outer layers of the vegetable to help prevent mold growth. After a week or two the vegetable should start to sprout new leaves or stalks and will be ready to be transplanted into a garden or planter.

Re-growing your store bought vegetables is a great way to get more out of your money. It's a fun science project for kids and a great way to teach them to grow their own food.