Take money saving to a whole new level by checking your trash can or compost bin for carrot tops. Many people see food scraps as waste or future fertilizers, but you can still use them in order to regrow many of its kind. Carrot tops, sometimes called carrot greens, still mostly taste like carrots but with a subtle hint of parsley. If you regrow them the right way, you might not have to buy carrots again very soon. Aside from not costing a thing, regrowing scraps helps reduce waste, requires no special equipment, and is also totally doable that you can even involve your kids in the process! They would sure love seeing the results in a matter of days and this might also encourage them to love and eat their veggies. Now, I will tell you what’s up doc as you read on and learn how to regrow carrots.
Can You Get Carrots from Carrot Tops?
The confusion is understandable. Articles around the internet like this one might give you different ideas, but really, can you get carrots from carrot tops?
This is an age-old question many home garden beginners ask themselves and might quickly want an answer to. Not to burst your bubble, but the answer is no. When we say growing carrots from carrot tops, we mean that they will flower and bear seeds but not the root vegetable itself. The orange vegetable is actually a taproot that would not regrow anymore once removed from the plant. Be sure to explain this to your kids before starting the project if you do not want to end up disappointing them. Without further ado, here are the different methods you can explore as you familiarize yourself with learning how to regrow carrots.
Regrowing Carrot Tops
Water Method
Prepare an old glass or bowl for this method. First, place an inch (2.5 cm) of carrot top in a bowl with its cut side down. Then pour an inch of water in the dish until the top is halfway covered. Place the bowl in an area with filtered sunlight and make sure to change the water everyday.
You’ll see that the tops will eventually grow shoots. When that happens, plant them in the soil and be careful not to cover the sprouts when you do so.
Pie Plate Method
You are going to need a ceramic pie plate and some marbles for this method. Put a single layer of marbles on the plate and then set the 1 inch (2.5 cm) veggie stub right on top of it. This way, the kids will witness the process more easily and having the tops sprout in one pie plate also makes for an aesthetic display.
Newspaper Method
You can now pull your old newspapers out of the storage and put them to good use, along with a plate. Set the newspaper on the bottom of the plate and soak it without any standing water. Place your carrot tops on the newspaper and wait for a couple of days for the roots to spread. Make sure to always keep the newspaper wet. Once the plants have rooted well, you and your kids can now enjoy planting them together on the soil.
Growing Carrot Tops in Soil
Carrots need a location that receives full sunlight but they can thrive in a space that’s a little shaded, too. They should also be planted in a loose and sandy soil. Proper soil preparation is very important for carrots as it greatly affects their shape. Here’s how you can start growing carrot tops in soil:
- Plant the carrot seeds in a ¼ inch deep hole, with a spacing of 2-3 inches in rows 1 foot apart.
- Maintain the soil’s moisture with frequent but moderate watering. The ground should be moist but not wet to the touch. In order for the seeds to germinate, keep the top of the soil from the possibility of forming a hard crust.
- Do not panic if you do not immediately see your seeds germinating. It might take them a whole 2-3 weeks before they start going through the germination process.
Bit of a reminder: please do not expect your carrots to look straight and firm just like those you see in the supermarket. But don’t worry, no matter what shape they are in, they would definitely taste good. Meanwhile, let’s try and explore another question gardeners tend to be curious about:
Will Carrots Still Grow Without Tops?
Carrots have stood the test of time. They have never failed in proving that they are resilient at all times. They can withstand frost and even dry conditions and are easy to grow. This is why many gardeners prefer to have them in their backyard. All in all, they are amazing vegetables to have around. But, will carrots still grow without carrot tops? The short answer is no. Carrots will not be able to grow without the tops. They tend to have their precious time when germinating as it usually takes them 2-3 weeks to show their leaves, and that’s with the tops attached.
Carrots have been around since time immemorial and any gardener would agree that these vegetables will always have a space in their garden, no matter what kind of garden they have. Carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables around, and they can also enhance the taste of any salad or cooked dishes. Learning how to regrow carrots is a good project you might also like for you and your children to get into. It’s not only a pastime, but it can also be an opportunity to get the kids to love these vegetables and be informed of their health benefits. Carrots are crunchy and nutritious, and have always been known to aid weight loss and improve eye health. Begin planting carrots in your own garden now and reap these promising benefits. All you need is the commitment and you can be a potential best friend to this orange wonder.
