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Ever thought of growing lettuce from scraps?
It’s easier than you think!
With just a few simple steps, you can turn kitchen waste into fresh greens.
Here are 7 tactics to get you started.
Let’s grow some lettuce!
Start with Fresh Lettuce Stumps
First things first, save the bottom part of your lettuce. We’re talking about the little stump that we usually toss out.
Rinse it well to get rid of any dirt. You’ll want to make sure it’s fresh because the fresher it is, the better the chance it will sprout those new leaves you’re dreaming of.
Place in Water
Grab a small bowl or dish and add just enough water to submerge the bottom of the stump. Put the lettuce stump downside in the water.
Make sure it’s not drowning—about half an inch of water is perfect. Change the water every day to keep it fresh and free of bacteria.
Find a Sunny Spot
To get these baby leaves rolling, put your water bowl on a sunny windowsill. Lettuce loves light, so the sunniest spot you have is the best place for your new plant friend.
You’ll start seeing tiny leaves sprouting from the center in just a few days.
Watch It Grow
Within a week, you should see the sprouts really taking off. Keep an eye on the water level, and don’t forget to keep changing it daily.
The tiny leaves will continue to grow, looking more like the lettuce you’re familiar with.
Transfer to Soil
When you see roots popping out, it’s time to move the lettuce to some soil. Grab a pot, add some soil, and make a little hole for the stump.
Plop it in, roots down. Give it a nice drink of water, and place it back in the sunny spot.
Keep Up the Care
Now that your lettuce is in soil, make sure it’s always a bit moist but not soaking wet. A light misting with a spray bottle every day should do the trick.
And don’t forget to ensure it’s still getting plenty of sunshine.
Harvest Time
After a few weeks of tender loving care, your lettuce should be ready to harvest. When the leaves reach about 3-4 inches tall, go ahead and snip them off.
Enjoy fresh, home-grown lettuce that you started from scraps!