Take a look inside your compost bin
I came across an amazing book this past weekend, and I just couldn’t resist buying it. It’s called Don’t Throw It, Grow It: 68 Windowsill Plants from Kitchen Scraps. This book shows you how to grow plants from the roots, seeds and pits of various fruits and vegetables you'd usually just toss into the compost bin without much thought. Authors Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam explain that almost every unprocessed fruit or veggie can be grown into beautiful houseplant.
The book tells you how to plant the usual stuff (peas, beans, carrots and potatoes) and how to grow houseplants out of some of the less common stuff too (almonds, pineapples, water chesnuts, jicamas and papayas). Plus, with Peterson and Selsam’s help you’ll be able to grow a complete herb garden containing anise, fennel and sesame - and much more.
Who knew that planting tiny lentils would produce a plant with small, bluish flowers – growing almost a foot in height? Did you know that a chickpea plant is perfect for a hanging basket?
My first venture will be trying to plant some ginger. I love the taste, and apparently the plant grows pretty, fragrant flowers. It can also grow up to three feet in less than six weeks. I can’t wait to walk to my windowsill and slice of a little piece to add to my tea or stir-fry.
Think of the all the delectable treats you can grow and the how much less kitchen waste you'll produce.
Have you ever tried to grow anything from kitchen scraps?
Read more:
How to start your own compost pile
Canadian Living guide to greener living
July 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I love this idea, and am planning to search out this book! One time I successfully planted both lemon and orange seeds that I'd gotten from, well obviously - lemons and oranges! It took ages, but after a while they grew into little plants with these gorgeous dark green, glossy leaves.
The idea of planting something like almonds is incredible! Thanks for the heads-up on what sounds like a really useful and unique resource.
Take care,
Christina
July 11th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
No problem. I think it should be fairly easy to find the book. Let us know what you plant and how it turns out!