10 ways to grow food on a budget

It is spring now, the perfect time to plant those crops, for homegrown, organic, non GMO and pesticide-free food. Gardening can be done anywhere, even sprouts on the kitchen counter. Growing your own food does not have to be expensive. In fact, you can re-grow plants from scraps of fruits and veggies in your kitchen.

Plants you can regrow from kitchen scraps
Potatoes. Plant those sorted potatoes right in the dirt and watch them grow into many potatoes.

Garlic. Take the garlic bulb apart into cloves. Plant each clove in the ground and water. It’s that easy. One garlic bulb can make 10 or more new garlic bulbs.

Ginger. Ginger can be grown in the ground or in pots. Take a piece of ginger root and plant it straight in the ground. Watered regularly the ginger will be ready to harvest in about six months.

Pineapple. Pineapple is one of the most unique fruit usually grown in tropical environments. However it is possible to grow pineapples in more temperate environments too. Firstly, obtain a pineapple, one that has an inside crown. Pull the entire top of the pineapple off and put in a cup of water. Once roots appear, plant the top in dirt. It two months you should see the plant established. The original top will slowly brown and fall. Continue letting the pineapple grow making sure it is not subject to cold temperatures. Water weekly.

Dry beans and legumes. Dry beans and legumes such as garbanzo, lentils, bush beans, etc. are so easy to grow at home. They are an excellent source of major nutrients including protein and fiber. Just plant them in the soil and water regularly.

Sunflower seeds. Throw a few in the garden. They will turn into gorgeous sunflowers!

Onion. Onions can be planted whole or part of the onion that has the root mass on the bottom. Once planted in the dirt and watered regularly, the roots at the bottom of the onion will begin to grow. Green onions will form at the top. Onions can also be re-grown in water with roots submerged in water, top stick out and placed in front of a window. You can also grow green onions in a cup of water and cut off the tops as you need them. They will continue to grow.

Basil. Growing basil couldn’t be easier. Take a stalk of basil and simply put it in a jar of water. Roots will begin to grow out the bottom in about a week. Transplant into the soil. You will never have to buy basil again! You can also do this with other herbs.

Celery. Every time you buy a celery stalk replant the bottom and watch an entire new celery plant grow. Plant the celery base straight in the soil or begin the re growth process in a bowl of water, changing the water daily and planting once the celery begins growing which happens in about a week. The same can be down with romaine lettuce. Just cut off the base and plant again!

Avocado. Avocado trees can be grown from the pit of the avocado. The pit will re grow if you put it in the soil and water regularly. However, many prefer to start the avocado sprouting indoors. To do this you place toothpicks (4) in the sides of the avocado pointy side up and rest in a glass of water, keeping the bottom half below the tooth picks wet. Put by a window. In about three weeks the pit will split open. About two weeks later, the stem should sprout and then leaves will begin to sprout from there. This takes about three months. When the tree is about eight inches pinch the top leaves off and plant in the soil.

Sources:

www.naturalnews.com

www.earthiemama.com

www.organicgardening.com

About the author:
Alex is a TRUE Earthie Mama, helping others tune into their most natural state while bringing harmony and balance into all areas of their lives in order to THRIVE. Alex has a well known blog on health, wellness, conscious parenting, green living and getting off the grid to self sustainability. www.earthiemama.com