Growing green onions has become one of my favorite hobbies—it’s a simple yet satisfying way to add a touch of greenery to my home and reduce food waste. There’s something incredibly rewarding about regrowing green onion scraps in water, watching them sprout new growth, and then using them in my cooking. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly practice that aligns with my values of sustainability and mindful living. Let’s take a look at how to grow green onions at home.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can grow green onions at home using the water method:
Step 1: Trim the Green Onions Start by trimming the green tops of the scallions for use in your dishes, leaving behind the root end and white bulb and stalk. This ensures that you’re using the edible parts of the green onions while preserving the part that you’ll be regrowing.
Step 2: Place the Root Ends in Water Repurpose a glass, jar, or small bowl to hold the root ends of the green onions. Stand the white parts of the green onions with the wispy root ends facing downward in the container. Make sure to choose a container that can hold the onions upright—a small glass, cup, or ramekin works well.
Step 3: Add Water Fill the container with water, making sure to cover the roots and leave a little bit of extra water on top. This provides the green onions with the moisture they need to thrive and encourages root growth.
Step 4: Place in a Sunny Spot Find a sunny spot near a window where your green onions can receive plenty of sunlight. Sunlight is essential for photosynthesis and helps the green onions grow healthy and strong.
Step 5: Change the Water Regularly To keep the water fresh and prevent the growth of bacteria, change the water every one to two days. This ensures that your green onions have access to clean water and helps maintain their overall health.
Step 6: Maintain and Harvest Within a few days, you’ll start to see new growth emerging from the root ends of the green onions. As the green tops grow taller, you can snip off the greens as needed for use in your cooking. Be sure to leave the root ends in the water to continue regrowing.
Tips on How To Grow Green Onions
- Start with fresh green onion bulbs, ensuring they have healthy white roots attached.
- Trim the green tops of the scallions, leaving behind the root end and white bulb.
- Place the root ends in a container filled with water, making sure to cover the roots and leave a bit of extra water on top.
- Choose a sunny spot near a window where the green onions can receive plenty of sunlight.
- Change the water every one to two days to keep it fresh and prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Watch for new growth to emerge from the root ends within a few days.
- Harvest the green tops as needed for use in your cooking, leaving the root ends in the water to continue regrowing.
- Consider planting green onions in soil if you prefer, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and water.
- Experiment with different containers and growing methods to find what works best for you and your space.
- Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own fresh green onions and reducing food waste in the process!
Recycled Container Ideas for Growing Green Onions
- Cleaned-out glass jars, such as salsa jars or mason jars
- Small ceramic bowls or ramekins
- Empty tin cans, such as those from canned beans or tomatoes
- Plastic cups or small drinking glasses
- Repurposed yogurt containers
- Empty spice jars or condiment bottles
- Small ceramic or terracotta pots
- Paper cups or biodegradable seedling pots
These recycled containers can be easily repurposed to hold the root ends of your green onions as they regrow, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly way to cultivate fresh produce at home. Get creative with your container choices and use what you have on hand to reduce waste and promote sustainability in your gardening practices!
While the water method works well for regrowing green onions, you can also plant them in soil if you prefer. Experiment with both methods to see which one works best for you and your growing space.
Regrowing green onions at home is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s also a sustainable way to reduce food waste and enjoy fresh produce from your kitchen. So why not give it a try? Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything else you’d like to learn about growing your own food at home. Happy growing!
Have you ever regrown green onions? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let me know what I should try to regrow next!
Your Wandering VA, Tina 🙂
