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There are a number of reasons why people like to grow their own herbs and vegetables. Some do it because they want to save money; some do it because they enjoy it; some do it because they enjoy having full control over the produce they eat, and other people such as myself do it for all these reasons combined. Imagine being being able to regrow vegetables and herbs over and over again without having to do so much as purchase them one time!
I have never calculated how much money I save my family but I do know that it must be a fair amount. I love knowing where my food comes from, and I find it incredibly rewarding to plant stuff; watch it grow, and then finally see it on the dinner table. It’s even more rewarding when it comes to herbs and vegetables you can regrow. In the paragraphs that follow, I’m going to briefly discuss my top ten favorites veggies and herbs that are super easy to regrow indoor or out.
Just an fyi- if you have a large family that eats tons of veggies, you will want to make sure you grow enough to help out your budget. Regrowing is super rewarding but of course, takes some time. I plant my veggies every 2-3 weeks so I have a fresh supply to pick from after a few months. I love to put my veggies in these warm winter soup recipes (over 25 recipes!) for a healthy delicious meal on a chilly day!
1. Chili Peppers
I love cooking Thai food, and if you know anything about Thai cuisine, you’ll know that chili peppers are a staple ingredient in Thai recipes. Chili peppers have loads of seeds, and if you are using red chili peppers, all those seeds inside them can be grown with virtually no effort at all. Trust me; you can easily grow enough chili peppers to supply your entire neighborhood heat which is rich in vitamin C.
2. Lemon Grass
Lemon grass is another ingredient which is crucial in countless Thai recipes. While it might be a bit costly in your average supermarket, it is incredibly easy to regrow. Simply save the bottom inch or two on the root end, and then stand in water until new roots start forming. Once there are sufficient roots you can plant in soil. I recommend having a few plants in individual pots so that you can control their growth.
3. Basil
All types of basil are amazingly easy to grow, and trust me, once you have used fresh basil rather than dried basil, you will never go back to your old ways. To regrow your basil, simply allow some flowers to fully develop and then harvest the seeds. If basil is grown in beds and growing conditions are right, your plants will actually reseed without any help from you. Things don’t get any easier than that.
4. Ginger
Next time you buy some ginger root save a small one to two inch piece and plant it in your garden or greenhouse just below the soil surface. Soon you will have more fresh ginger than you could ever hope to use. Other types of ginger such as Galangal are just as easy to regrow.
5. Garlic
Forget about always having to buy garlic. Just take a few individual cloves from the next bulb of garlic you buy, and plant them in beds or in pots. If you can grow other warm climate plants, you can easily grow plenty of your own fresh garlic as well.
6. Potatoes
The faithful old potato has been a popular vegetable patch classic for centuries. I like to grow mine using old car tires. Plant a single potato, or even just a portion of one in the center of a tire. Once the emerging plant reaches a few inches, add more soil so just the last few leaves are still visible. Repeat this process over and over, adding even more tires if you really want a bumper yield.
7. Onions
Who could possibly live without onions? Fortunately, you can get your onions growing with hardly any effort at all. Next time you use onions, simply slice off about ¾ inch from the root side and then replant so that the moist cut surface is just above the soil line. Each one you plant will soon regrow into a full sized onion ready for your kitchen and for once again regrowing.
8. Tomatoes
Have you ever noticed how many seeds your average tomato has? Well, tomatoes are one of the best vegetables you can regrow. Just keep some seeds; wash then in clean water; allow them to dry out for a few days, and then plant in beds; pots or grow bags. You can even regrow tomatoes upside down using old suspended plastic buckets. I use these inexpensive felt bags from amazon and hang them on my patio- you can also make your felt bags if you are crafty!
9. Carrots
Carrots are packed full of vitamins and minerals; they can be eaten raw or cooked, and every carrot you eat can be grown over and over again. Just cut the tops off and replant, and before you know it they will be regrowing themselves. Results are quickly visible, so they are also a great choice for getting your kids involved in some gardening.
10. Green Onions
Green onions, including other similar produce like chives for example, can be grown in much the same way as lemon grass. Simply cut the onions about one to two inches above the root section, and then allow them to stand in a bit of water until new roots have formed. Once the new roots are about an inch in length, plant them in beds or pots.
Being able to regrow vegetables all the herbs mentioned in this article will depend on various things, including average temperatures; soil, and etc. If you are able to grow other produce in your garden or greenhouse, then all of the about shouldn’t be at all challenging. Enjoy your home grown recycled organic herbs and veg.
