Don’t Throw it, Grow it!

mtraub

Story by mtraub

Published on July 17, 2009 in Read

Photo by honeyandjamphotos

Moving back to Brooklyn after spending four years in the Bay Area has left me wistful for public composting bins, local produce year-round, and community-supported agriculture sans waiting lists. Fortunately, when in need of consolation, I can turn to such rich resources as Don’t Throw it, Grow it! by Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam. This portable little book is chock-full of instructions for growing windowsill plants from kitchen scraps — perfect for self-reliant urban gardening! Check out these tips for cultivating your own lemongrass, one of my favorite herbs.

You can start new plants by using various different parts of a parent plant, such as roots, tubers, bulbs, seeds, or cuttings. Different parts of the plant require different growing methods. Start large tubers or seeds and bulbs in water, over pebbles, in soil, or in a sphagnum bag. Small seeds require just one method: soil or peat. In many cases, after you have started your plants, you will transfer the sprouted plants to containers with soil. Some plants, however, are best left in pebbles with water.

Starting Plants in Water. Large tubers, pits, or roots, such as sweet potatoes, daikon, arrowhead, and water chestnuts, can be started in water. Suspend the tuber, pit, or root in water by piercing the flesh or pit with bamboo skewers. (Toothpicks are too weak to hold these plants as they start to grow.) Plants started in water should be transplanted to soil when they have 4 inches of roots. The roots are quite brittle and should be handled with care.

Arrowhead and water chestnuts can be floated in bowls of water until they develop roots that are 4 inches long. Be sure to add charcoal to their water. Use one part “activated charcoal” to four parts water. This helps to keep the water sweet. The charcoal can be purchased in garden or pet centers.

What it Looks Like. Lemongrass in an ornamental plant with long, thin, bright green leaves. The stalks are stiff and hard. It is available year-round in Asian markets and some larger supermarkets.

How to Grow it. Nothing could be simpler. Lemongrass stalks, including bulbs and the leaves, are sold in bunches. Be sure to buy a bunch that has some of the grass blades showing. Place in a tall glass with enough water to cover the bulbous end of the stalk. Put a tablespoon of activated charcoal in the water. The roots will start to grow within a week. When the stalks have 2- to 3-inch long roots, it is time to transplant them.

The supersaturated roots are brittle and should be handled carefully. Cut off the top half of each stalk; the roots are not strong enough to support the full length. Use 6-inch pots filled with very moist potting soil. Make a hole in the soil that is large and deep enough to hold the roots and bulbous end, and plant one stalk in each pot. Keep the plant moist at all times. If you have a garden, transplant the lemongrass as soon as the weather is warm. If you live in the Northern latitudes, you must bring the plant in for the winter.

Time to Taste. You can eat the entire plant. Steep finely chopped leaves to make tea. Crush the bulbous root, much as you would a garlic clove, and add to Asian and Caribbean dishes. Lemongrass is said to relieve headaches and muscle cramps, and aid digestion.

Thanks to Deborah Peterson, Millicent Selsam, and all the folks at Storey Publishing for sharing this inspiring project with us. Looking for more Craftivism posts? Check out our archive here.

Earth Tones Series | Gardening and Horticulture Gift Guide 

Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Plants and Edibles Category

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  • VintageEye

    VintageEye says:

    i love my local produce stand! that's as close as i get to gardening!

    2 years ago

  • ParadiseBodyShop

    ParadiseBodyShop says:

    We have done this with a bunch of stuff over the years... right now, it's scallions (green onions) and mint!

    2 years ago

  • ButtensBoutique

    ButtensBoutique says:

    *LoveLoveLove* This <3

    2 years ago

  • HibouCards

    HibouCards says:

    Thanks for the tip :)

    2 years ago

  • breadandroses

    breadandroses says:

    Windowsill and container gardening can green up any abode! Just listed more eco friendly kids'& adult aprons. Perfect for gardening & kitchen: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27882895 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=27880652 Free shipping through July too!

    2 years ago

  • spacejam

    spacejam says:

    cool!!

    2 years ago

  • tldgrainwear

    tldgrainwear says:

    Very interesting post and great picks as usual! Thanks for all this info, cheers!

    2 years ago

  • stitchface

    stitchface says:

    Definitely going to check this book out- I'm growing my first little garden on my city porch this year and would love to try out some of these tips! Thanks for posting this :D

    2 years ago

  • TeenAngsterAdmin

    TeenAngster says:

    Great ideas! I want to put my fledgling green thumb to the test and get more herbs and vegetables growing.

    2 years ago

  • babook

    babook says:

    Perfect pick of all : ) i think that i should to clean my plant !

    2 years ago

  • sewlola

    sewlola says:

    i love lemongrass tea! i am going to try if it grows inside my apartment. great article!

    2 years ago

  • beautifulbridget

    beautifulbridget says:

    Awesome!!

    2 years ago

  • BululuStudio

    BululuStudio says:

    Nice!!!

    2 years ago

  • Greenbriar

    Greenbriar says:

    It reminds me when I lived in the city and had a balcony where I grew basil, pineapple mint, and catnip. I love this topic! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27446063

    2 years ago

  • peaseblossomstudio

    peaseblossomstudio says:

    Thanks! I live rurally now, and can grow almost anything, but will keep this little book in mind in case I ever go urban again. :-)

    2 years ago

  • Greenbriar

    Greenbriar says:

    I love the Gardener's Soap! It is so pretty!

    2 years ago

  • ArtBoxDesigns

    ArtBoxDesigns says:

    I always have a herb garden what a difference it makes when using fresh! I love the garden shirt! So CUTE

    2 years ago

  • evihan

    evihan says:

    soo useful..thank you for sharinggg:-)

    2 years ago

  • Radness

    Radness says:

    I've saved some dough by planting an herb garden. Everything tastes fresher too! Great picks!

    2 years ago

  • zwzzy

    zwzzy says:

    mmmm lemongrass!! I wish my thumb was at least pale green! :P

    2 years ago

  • littlemoandfriends

    littlemoandfriends says:

    the seed cards are so sweet! i love the idea!

    2 years ago

  • thestapeliacompany

    thestapeliacompany says:

    That woodblock piece is amazing! I love it.

    2 years ago

  • VintageJamie

    VintageJamie says:

    Oh, that's lemonthyme! I love lemonthyme~

    2 years ago

  • PrimaryRedux

    PrimaryRedux says:

    Thanks for this article-its a nice break from everything to think about green things and the wonderful senses of the garden. I've been wanting to try growing lemongrass.

    2 years ago

  • travellingcircus

    travellingcircus says:

    Fantastic article! Lemongrass is super when used in making Malay style curries:)

    2 years ago

  • steinschmuckdesign

    steinschmuckdesign says:

    I love gardening, Thank you for the choices!

    2 years ago

  • codesign

    codesign says:

    Lemongrass sounds easy enough to grow. Will try it out. Thanks so much for sharing!

    2 years ago

  • nowvintage

    nowvintage says:

    Great! I have never heard of the charcoal part.. Love the picks, especially the v neck top! I found a list of plants that can be grown from cuttings here; http://www.healthrecipes.com/plant_cuttings.htm

    2 years ago

  • VixVintage

    VixVintage says:

    My dad had the green thumb, unfortunately I didn't inherit it. Thanks for sharing!

    2 years ago

  • nomadcraftsetc

    nomadcraftsetc says:

    We have lemongrass along with a bunch of other Window sill herbs. We also have a big garden that we use compost in. Great post! Love it!

    2 years ago

  • Mymothersgarden

    Mymothersgarden says:

    Absolutely wonderful post full of good gardening tips! Stop by my shop to see lots of garden decor items and garden inspired ceramics. Happy gardening to all!

    2 years ago

  • BlackStar

    BlackStar says:

    kitchen scraps are fun to grow. the avocado that we started, grew into a beautiful tree (small) and flowered even.

    2 years ago

  • lovelygifts

    lovelygifts says:

    Thanks for the tips!

    2 years ago

  • aBreathofFrenchair

    aBreathofFrenchair says:

    I love to garden! I use my recycled containers (milk jugs, cottage cheese tubs) to make mini greenhouses and winter sow my seeds!

    2 years ago

  • BelleMereBelleFille

    BelleMereBelleFille says:

    Lemongrass tea reminds me of my trip to Bali in 2003. Tolong tanpa gula!

    2 years ago

  • FrouFrouFido

    FrouFrouFido says:

    oooohemmmgeee! I just love these type of storque articles with green gardening items=). AWESOME ITEMS!!!

    2 years ago

  • TheCraftyRagamuffin

    TheCraftyRagamuffin says:

    I am a farming geek and I love your articles about these topics. Thanks for sharing! Rosemary is another easy to grow herb -just clip a bit off an existing plant or use a 4-5" stem purchased fresh from a farmer's market. After pulling off the lower leaves (and using them!) set the stem in a small glass of water and place on a windowsill. It will begin to root in a few days and then you can pot it up soon after!

    2 years ago

  • mudpuppy

    mudpuppy says:

    So fantastic! Thank you for including my baby head planter in such a great article!

    2 years ago

  • BeadinBabe

    BeadinBabe says:

    Thank you for the great tips! :)

    2 years ago

  • lilworkerb

    lilworkerb says:

    Gardening is always fun!

    2 years ago

  • odiliafu

    odiliafu says:

    Great tips! Hope my beloved feline friends don't eat all my herbs.

    2 years ago

  • PipocaHandmade

    PipocaHandmade says:

    This book sounds great! Thanks for sharing. I especially love the little water pot...it's adorable and herb-sized!

    2 years ago

  • vantiani

    vantiani says:

    Inspiring!

    2 years ago

  • LaLah

    LaLah says:

    the modern baby head planters!!!! i like!

    2 years ago

  • LaLah

    LaLah says:

    and the water pot- love white!

    2 years ago

  • GimCarry

    GimCarry says:

    Thank you for lovely article (* v *) Happy with Gardening, Toa

    2 years ago

  • BabbidgePatch

    BabbidgePatch says:

    great plant ~ lemongrass!

    2 years ago

  • pandawithcookie

    pandawithcookie says:

    You need a worm bin from the LES ecology club! I now have seed bomb stuck in my head to the tune of sex bomb. Oh good.

    2 years ago

  • themefragrance

    themefragrance says:

    growing things are good! currently taming my bamboo in bkyln... use your coffee grounds on your acidic loving plants! plants like epsom salts and beer!

    2 years ago

  • LilBlossoms

    LilBlossoms says:

    cant wait to check out more of this! im not a green thumb at all but always looking for tips.

    2 years ago

  • monkeyandsquirrel

    monkeyandsquirrel says:

    those modern baby head chia pets are amazing!

    2 years ago

  • Morado

    Morado says:

    I use lemongrass in my tea and it taste delicious!! It's a quick home remedy for a cold or that under the weather feeling. http://twitter.com/MoradoShop

    2 years ago

  • cynthiacallan

    cynthiacallan says:

    Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • discomedusa

    discomedusa says:

    added to my wish list- thanks!

    2 years ago

  • greenstreetfolkart

    greenstreetfolkart says:

    Great finds! I especially love the water pot!

    2 years ago

  • RetroHouse

    RetroHouse says:

    Lemongrass tea sounds so good!

    2 years ago

  • jewelrybyjackie

    jewelrybyjackie says:

    Great tips! I have a "brown" thumb unfortunately, but maybe with the guidance above I can finally have an indoor herb garden!! Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • brun

    brun says:

    nice photography by honeyandjamphotos

    2 years ago

  • paramountvintage

    paramountvintage says:

    i love gardening and i love the related items!

    2 years ago

  • GemmaBeads

    GemmaBeads says:

    Not much of a gardener but I do love to grow chives, tarragon, lavender, thyme and rosemary. I add a sprig of rosemary to my lemonade for a very refreshing and wonderfully summery drink. I highly recommend it!

    2 years ago

  • Tina669

    Tina669 says:

    I love the Gardener's Soap!

    2 years ago

  • RiverBazaar

    RiverBazaar says:

    At this very moment I believe the sweet potato is sending out more lovely vines where it sits on my kitchen windowsill in water. It sprouted while waiting for me to eat it- so now I have it as a houseplant and if I want to grow sweet pototoes I can just pull off a leafed out vine and plant it or plant the whole thing if it gets too unwieldly on my windowsill...which is happening rapidly...

    2 years ago

  • rakubuttons

    rakubuttons says:

    3 cheers for fresh !

    2 years ago

  • 1AEON

    1AEON says:

    nice opening photo honeyandjamphotos!! would make a great album cover!!!!

    2 years ago

  • zeropumpkin

    zeropumpkin says:

    :D i love this

    2 years ago

  • sandali

    sandali says:

    AWESOME article ~~ I love the fact that we can create so much from so little !! It's the small wonders of the world that creates these trigger happy days ;)

    2 years ago

  • thebestvintage

    thebestvintage says:

    Thanks... love the instructions!

    2 years ago

  • beachhouseblues

    beachhouseblues says:

    It's great to find new projects that don't cost a lot of money!

    2 years ago

  • carvelcountrysoaps

    carvelcountrysoaps says:

    Great article!

    2 years ago

  • emmarts

    emmarts says:

    I LOVE cooking with lemongrass! Thanks for the great description.

    2 years ago

  • girltuesdayjewelry

    girltuesdayjewelry says:

    Thank you for the ideas and wonderful featured items! Mudpuppy's white baby head planter is a scream! I love it!

    2 years ago

  • dogwoodflowerdesigns

    dogwoodflowerdesigns says:

    There is nothing like picking fresh herbs from your back yard and making something like Rosemary chicken on Sunday morning.

    2 years ago

  • Beadz2Pleaz

    Beadz2Pleaz says:

    A really lovely article. Thanks for sharing :)

    2 years ago

  • MentaEra

    MentaEra says:

    I'm glad to see all the positive responses to this. Gardening is wonderful and more people should do it!

    2 years ago

  • RonH

    RonH says:

    Everything from the home garden tastes better and you get to watch the plants grow.

    2 years ago

  • amoronia

    amoronia says:

    I LOVE growing my own plants!!!

    2 years ago

  • galanight

    galanight says:

    It's so much fun planting your own vegetables and herbs! Thanks for sharing!

    2 years ago

  • PawPawsWorkshop

    PawPawsWorkshop says:

    Great article

    2 years ago

  • heidiburton

    heidiburton says:

    love these items, and an informative article - great tips :) just polished off my dinner, fresh from the garden. nowt beats homegrown!

    2 years ago

  • amber84

    amber84 says:

    very cool stuff. I love love love growing things! My front porch looks like a jungle. :)

    2 years ago

  • adoreneko

    adoreneko says:

    Going to check and see if they have this wonderful book at the library. Thank you so much!

    2 years ago

  • xenya

    xenya says:

    Grow organic! http://greenthing.etsy.com

    2 years ago

  • clothpaperstitches

    clothpaperstitches says:

    Looking forward to checking this out!

    2 years ago

  • MamaKs

    MamaKs says:

    !Lemongrass! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27191582

    2 years ago

  • GreenTease

    GreenTease says:

    Go green. Recycle!!!! Yeah!

    2 years ago

  • 10eisha

    10eisha says:

    OOoh I love this idea. I started urban vermi-composting this year and also windowsill herbs and a mini rooftop garden. Ive never thought about starting from food scraps! Awesome.

    2 years ago

  • HortelaPimenta

    HortelaPimenta says:

    Tip: In Brazil we use to beat in the blender with lemon juice, or passionfruit juice, or pineaplle juice. It's the best for the hot season! Just be careful with the fiber os the plant, go the juice with a very fine sieve!! Enjoy it!!!

    2 years ago

  • orchardfarmsoap

    orchardfarmsoap says:

    we have a small acerage organic farm and grow a lot of medicinals that we use in our body care line. I have yet to grow lemongrass but will do next season. so happy to hear about people enjoyng growing their own.

    2 years ago

  • jesophi

    jesophi says:

    oh yes a great book that shows you tha basics and pretty easy to learn! :) loveit

    2 years ago

  • TheBeesWrists

    TheBeesWrists says:

    I love those seed cards!

    2 years ago

  • Piruli

    Piruli says:

    As you enjoy the borough I just left, please check out the Added Value program in Red Hook if you already have not: http://www.added-value.org/

    2 years ago

  • BunnyBelle

    BunnyBelle says:

    Great!I've grown up living the 'green' life as my Mum has always been 'green',so going out to the garden to pick up the salad was everyday routine for me.Now that I moved out and I live in the city I miss it so much.Great article!

    2 years ago

  • SuppliesHandcrafted

    SuppliesHandcrafted says:

    Wonderful, informative info!! Thanks! I've enjoyed growing my own herbs at our beach house this year, as well as benefitting from BIL's wonderful veggie garden!

    2 years ago

  • hmfromtheheart

    hmfromtheheart says:

    My husband and myself, along with our three children planted our first vegie garden this year. I can't believe how much it has produced! We have had to give so much of it away. It has been such a great experience; planting, tending, harvesting, and eating the vegies we have planted. My kids just love harvesting the garden, and it has givin them an appreciation for where our food comes from. I sure do give the farmers so much credit for all the labor and hard work they put into their farms, just so we have food to eat

    2 years ago

  • buddhanature

    buddhanature says:

    What a fun article! I love gardening! . . . One day I'll have a beautiful garden and all the whimisical gardening accessories . . . stepping stone tile paths . . . I imagine it to be beautiful there! Now I know where I can find everything I need to accomplish my gardening dreams! Beautiful work everyone!

    2 years ago

  • SheScreamsMyName

    SheScreamsMyName says:

    Love this! :D

    2 years ago

  • anadiazarte

    anadiazarte says:

    Oh,this is so nice!

    2 years ago

  • purpleandlime

    purpleandlime says:

    mmmm lemongrass tea

    2 years ago

  • IslaNewYork

    IslaNewYork says:

    haha how funny - my boyfriend was just reading this book this evening! it makes me want to move back to the bay area and settle down in a nice little house with a garden! instead im growing a 10ft tomato plant on my nyc studio's windowsill! haha, and no tomatoes :/

    2 years ago

  • icanspellit

    icanspellit says:

    So much CREATIVITY. I love it!!

    2 years ago

  • thinkoflaura

    thinkoflaura says:

    We all know that plants bring green color and a natural feel to the indoor environment, but plants possess many other proven benefits which help improve your quality of life as well as your bottom line! Plants improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants from the air. They improve comfort levels by stabilizing humidity levels. Plants have been proven to increase worker productivity and attendance as well as add to workplace satisfaction. Not to mention the positive effects they have on the aesthetic value of your property, occupancy and tenant retention.[http://www.essayontime.com Custom essay]

    2 years ago

  • theninestories

    theninestories says:

    You are one brilliant pebble!

    2 years ago

  • SalvagedExpression

    SalvagedExpression says:

    That book has been on my to buy list for years! Ever since I started growing my leftovers and dreaming of a real yard. Wonderful article!

    2 years ago

  • sparrowsalvage

    sparrowsalvage says:

    This is fantastic! When I was younger I was told that all supermarket food was made barren so people couldn't grow food from the seeds, but we got pumpkins and tomatoes from a share house compost heap, so I don't think that's true! If you really want to go guerrilla, you can get the seeds from vegetables reclaimed from the supermarket dumpster.

    2 years ago

  • ricerafferty

    ricerafferty says:

    I will definitely grow Lemongrass now! Thanks!

    2 years ago

  • divinalocura

    divinalocura says:

    I enjoy cultivating strawberries......it`s just great!! and then i share them with my family.....my mom thas the same thing with vegetables.....it`s really cool. Plus is really good for the soul....=) Kisses..1

    2 years ago

  • poprelique

    poprelique says:

    More helpful info from Etsy...I love this place :)

    2 years ago

  • chgraveur

    chgraveur says:

    i love this christine from France

    2 years ago

  • EmeraldCityEmporium

    EmeraldCityEmporium says:

    I am definitely going to get this book!

    2 years ago