Can you regrow carrots from kitchen scraps?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Suggestions on how to grow carrots using kitchen scraps evoke intrigue and excitement, but the grim fact is contrary to this. The carrot top will send green shoots from its base, but those sprouts will never produce a carrot taproot that you can eat or grow. I have even tried jars on sunny kitchen windowsills, but only carrots with feathery greens will emerge. To grow a good carrot, you have to use seeds.
Carrot Tops in Water
- Produces greens for garnish or pesto within 2 weeks
- Change water daily to prevent rot
- No root development occurs
Seed Germination Basics
- Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in loose soil
- Germinates in 14-21 days at 55-75°F
- Requires consistent moisture and thinning
For edible roots, plant seeds into soil that has been amended with compost and is free of stones. I sift beds using a ½ inch mesh screen, stones and clumps of soil can cause the plant to fork. Pelleted seeds help when you want more even spacing. When seedlings reach 3 inches tall, thin excess seedlings are approximately 2 inches apart.
Utilize carrot tops in stocks or salads, as their bitter tang boosts flavor. My grandmother taught me to sauté them with garlic. Carrot roots can be stored in damp sand at 35-40 degrees F. When properly stored, roots will remain crisp for months, while greens placed in water will wilt in a couple of days.
Read the full article: How to Grow Carrots: Complete Guide for Beginners
