Lettuce Regrow
Lettuce Regrow!
Did you know you can regrow your lettuce and cabbage from the scraps with minimal effort? Chances are you probably thinking whether or not it is worth it. Who doesn't want to get more out of their groceries? Plus, it's an eco- and budget-friendly way to add a few extra greens to your diet and can also be an interesting family activity.
Step 1
Procure a head of lettuce.
Step 2
Go Sweeney Todd on your victim.
Er, I mean vegetable.
Step 3
Choose a pot or planter for your decapitated stump that doesn't have drainage. You can even place the stump in a shallow bowl. My choice was shallow glass cups and some clear “crystals” to jazz it up. Don’t have time to make it look pretty? Cut a plastic cup down to size or use an ashtray.
Note: This is where kids can incorporate playtime. Allow them to make their own scenery for their vegetable or root stump. They can use shells, marbles, stones, and sand to beautify the plant container. If you're using something other than glass, like terracotta or plastic, break out the paint and Sharpies.
Step 4
After arranging the stump however you’d like then add just enough water to cover the bottom of the stump. Do not drown it.
Another reason I chose the crystals was to control how much water the lettuce stump sits in. If using sand or something than gets saturated, be careful of over-zealously watering.
Step 5, the Final Step
Place the lettuce or other root vegetable in the sun (or partial shade) and let it grow. That's all there is to it.
In conclusion
The heads I regrow usually take about 2-3 weeks depending on the type of lettuce or cabbage it is. If you get several heads growing at different intervals, the potential for endless salads is attainable. Plus, it's kind of exciting to watch the vegetables magically reappear.
And as a side note, you can do this with any type of lettuce. Red leaf or romaine works best for me. With a little extra effort, you can also regrow spinach, sprouts, carrot and radish greens (not the root, sadly), endive, green onions, leeks, and garlic.
Have fun! If you've tried this veggie recycling method already, feel free to comment and let me know what you've regrown.