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
