Join the University of Illinois Extension in learning about Kitchen Scrap Gardening. This will be in the form of a kit that you can come to pick up at your local Extension Office that will include all of the materials needed for you to get started on your kitchen scrap garden. These kits will be $5 to cover the cost of supplies, and you must pre-register for them by June 9 to ensure we have enough materials. The kits will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth, IL 61028. To register or for more information on the kits call us at 815-858-2273 or visit us online at go.illinois.edu/jsw.

Kitchen scrap gardening is the perfect project for youth of all ages. It is a great way to teach about recycling and reusing, and can even be used to teach about plant parts! So, skip the compost bucket or garbage can and get started re-growing some of those fruits and veggies today. 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 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 with all the details you need to know to be successful, romaine lettuce to get your re-growing started, a plastic cup, a small bag of soil, and a pot for the next step. You will just have to add some water!