Kitchen scrap gardening is the perfect project for youth of all ages. It is a great way for youth to learn about recycling and reusing, vegetable gardening, and can even be used to teach about plant parts! The University of Illinois Extension will be offering Kitchen Scrap Gardening kits to any youth. Youth do not have to be in 4-H to participate. 

Some examples of fruits or vegetables that can be regrown include avocados, sweet potatoes, oranges, lemons, limes, pineapple, celery, lettuce, bok choy, cabbage, and greens of carrots, turnips, radishes, and beets. While all of these can be re-grown, it is important to note that some fruits and vegetables are easier to re-grow than others. Lettuce and celery are among the easiest to re-grow.

Each kit will include an information packet on kitchen scrap gardening complete with all the details you need to be successful. Participants will also receive romaine lettuce, a plastic cup, and a small bag of soil to get them started.  All you need after that is water, a pot to put the soil, and the re-grown scrap that you grow. So, skip the compost bucket or garbage can and get started re-growing some of those fruits and veggies that you enjoy.

Kits will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at your local Extension office in Jo Daviess, Stephenson or Winnebago county. Pre-registration is required. For more information on the kits call us at 815-858-2273.  The deadline to register for your kits is June 10.