Starting a Zero-Waste Garden

With April being Earth Month, it’s a bummer that many of us are stuck indoors instead of getting out to enjoy nature. However, there’s still plenty of ways to be more environmentally friendly at home, and with the extra time on your hands, maybe now is the time to bring nature into your space with a small produce garden. Even if you live in an apartment or have little yard space, there are ways to start gardening at home. Here are a few simple ways to do so.

Growing from Produce Scraps

Several vegetables are able to regenerate even after slicing off the stems, meaning you’ll be able to re-grow food from the regularly discarded ends. For example, celery, romaine lettuce, bok choy, or scallions are easy vegetables to re-grow from their scraps. Simply cut these vegetables 2 inches from the base, place into a shallow bowl of water, and keep it in a well lit area. Within a few days, you’ll notice your vegetables start to sprout from the middle of the base. Make sure the water stays fresh, and once a healthy root system emerges, you are ready to transfer your plant into potting soil!

If you ever notice that your potatoes or garlic bulbs are sprouting, there’s no need to throw them out. For potatoes, plant a piece of the sprouting potato in the ground or large pot with at least three inches of soil. Green shoots will emerge in a few weeks, and in a few months, the potato plant will develop and grow new spuds. For garlic, simply place cloves in a pot with dirt with the sprout pointing up, cover with soil, and allow the greens to grow. You can use these greens as you would use chives or scallions on any dish!

Harvesting Seeds

In the case you aren’t able to get to a local garden supply store, you can save the seeds from the fresh vegetables already in your kitchen. Simply select the most ripe, delicious veggies & fruits that you have and scoop out the seeds. Let them dry in a bright space for a few days on a dry towel, then pack them away into paper envelopes for planting on a later date, or start planting if it’s the right season. Always be sure to do your research regarding local climate and planting times, as this will help you determine when to plant certain seeds.

You can grow your seedlings with potting soil in egg cartons, then transfer them to a larger potting area over time. Make sure not to overwater the seeds just after planting them, too much water can wash the seeds away from where you planted them. Seedlings grow well on a windowsill, and can be a fun science project for children too!

Propagating Herbs

Several plants have the amazing ability to grow from propagation, the process of growing new plants from cuttings of the parent plant. A variety of herbs are also great for propagation, so if you have some fresh herbs from the market, or a neighbor with herbs to spare, you might be able to utilize some of the cuttings to start planting your own herb garden.

The cuttings must be 4-6 inches long, and cut underneath a leaf node - this is where the leaves sprout out from the stem. Put the cutting in any jar or container, and fill it with water about 1-2 inches high. Place in a bright area, and over time, make sure that the container has enough water and change it on a regular basis to make sure it’s clean. The roots will appear in a matter of days or weeks, depending on your local climate. Try it out with some mint, rosemary, lavender, basil, or oregano! Once they start growing and producing more, you can easily dry the herbs yourself to make them last longer!

Using Homemade Compost

Gardening is a great way to utilize your homemade compost, as it fertilizes the soil of your newly planted garden! Just mix your finished compost in with your potting soil into your container (1/3 compost to 2/3 soil), plant your sprouted produce, cuttings, or seeds, and give them some water. In no time you should have a healthy plant growing. And by using homemade compost, you can ensure that there aren’t any chemicals from fertilizers seeping into you new plants.

Additional Sustainable Ideas

If you have some extra time, there are other great eco-conscious activities to do at home beyond starting a produce garden. Try keeping your food waste at a minimum with some tips to reduce food waste, making some of Simple Ecology’s recipes, or trying some plant-based meals! You can even turn the rest of your vegetable scraps into delicious homemade vegetable broth, completely zero-waste and practically free! Always remember that every action, whether it’s outside or inside your home, has an impact, and you can always put on a sustainable lens to determine what you can do to lighten your footprint.