Fresh produce can cost a pretty penny to keep in your home. Did you know that you can actually re-grow some of the same produce you buy for a second time? Most of the time, it doesn’t even require any special skills or a warm time of year! Here are some fruits and vegetables you can re-grow for a second harvest to stretch your budget even further!
7 Fruits and Vegetables you can Re-Grow for a Second Harvest
Re-grow Green Onion In Water (Scallions)
This is one of the easiest to start with and just about anyone can do this little re-growing trick. Plus, these beauties grow really fast! In less than a week, you will have a whole new harvest!
Just take the root part (the white area with the small roots) and stick it in about 2 inches of water. You will be amazed that in just a day or two, you will have a couple inches of regrowth!
Related: Save Money & Grow Your Own Organic Veggies
Romaine Lettuce Regrowth
This one is a little difficult as you need to first buy a head of romaine (not just the heart) that has a good base. Just like the green onions, stick it in some water and watch it grow. It takes a little longer than the scallions, but you should be able to get at least one more harvest out of it.
Re-grow Store Bought Basil Herb
You can create new growth for a new plant from cuttings off of a basil plant. You will need fresh basil picked right off the plant for this one. Just submerge the stems in water and new rots will start to form. Carefully plant the roots in a pot and you will have a basil plant in no time.
Bok Choy
Just like with the romaine lettuce, Bok Choy can be grown in a similar fashion. It also is a slower growing process, but you should see results in a week or two of it starting to form.
Re-grow Leeks From Roots
Leeks are very similar to scallions, so they can be re-grown in a similar fashion. Just dunk the roots in water and leave them there. In a very short time (think a week, to a week-and-a-half), you should have enough to use again.
Pineapple
This one requires quite a commitment as it can take a long time to do, even a year or two. Just take the top of a healthy pineapple and place it in water. Watch for signs of rooting taking place. When that happens, place it in good soil (even in a pot).
Re-growing Mushrooms at Home
If you have a family that is a fan of mushrooms, you are going to love this. Mushrooms can regenerate with nothing more than a couple single caps. Growing mushrooms takes a special environment however, so be sure you can keep your growth limited to a dark, moist area that is cool. A basement would probably be best. Just take a cap and place it in rich soil. You need to cover the cap’s top most of the way with just a little bit peeking out. Keep the area damp. In a short time, you will have some mushrooms of your own!
Melanie says
Stopping by from Thrifty Thursday – I didn’t know about some of these. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
The pineapple was a surprise for me! 🙂
Jules says
I’m a fan after reading this post! There are too many bloggers giving “tips” for saving money that are basically useless, no-brainers, and/or tired. Your posts are actually informative and helpful, which is a very refreshing discovery for me. I had no idea that I could re-plant so many veggies and fruit! wow! I’m inspired to find even more since I live in a warm climate. THANK YOU Sarah. You rock.
Sarah Titus says
So glad you like it Jules. 🙂
Mary Lou Beyreis says
You forgot one of the easier ones – potatoes – just take a potato that has an “eye” sprouting. Cut some of the potato off with the eye and plant it so that just the eye is sticking out of the soil. I started some in a big planter pot filled with gravel, sand and potting soil (I layered these). You can harvest new potatoes in about 2 months or just leave them until the foliage turns yellow to harvest bigger potatoes. Also you can root sweet potatoes to make lovely vines – if you do this in soil, eventually over the summer, you will have a crop of sweet potatoes to harvest.