HAPPY SCRAPS

DON'T TOSS THE VEGIE BITS YOU DON'T EAT - GROW MORE OF THE SAME OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT ALTOGETHER!

IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE FERNY FOLIAGE OF CARROTS TO GROW.

THERE'S ENOUGH ENERGY IN THE ROOT REMNANTS TO PRODUCE BEET LEAVES!

There's still life left in some of those vegie scraps you toss in the bin or compost, from the tops of carrots and beetroots to the roots of spring onions and leeks and even the stubs of celery. These scraps have the ability to reproduce more vegies - over and over again! Here's how.

GROW CARROT AND BEETROOT SALADS

You've already eaten the roots of these root vegies, meaning they won't grow more of the same. So look up, not down - they'll still grow foliage. Toss beet leaves through salads or blend carrot leaves (yes, the leaves!) into pesto. Once you've chopped off the tops, sit them in a tray or dish of water. Place in bright light, but away from direct sunlight, and then change the water every 1-2 days to avoid slime build-up. You can leave in the dish or plant out, and harvest in a week or so.

GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED

As well as being a budget buster, these projects are also a great way to help kids fall in love with gardening. It lets them get their hands dirty while developing a hands-on appreciation of where plants - and food - come from.

REGROW SPRING ONIONS AND LEEKS