Before tossing leftover fruit and vegetables into the trash, Oklahoma State University Extension encourages families to take a second look. Those scraps can be a fun science experiment for the family.

Growing plants from food scraps gives children an opportunity to learn about plant science with hands-on experiences. With household items such as water, cups, toothpicks, bowls and potting soil, families can grow food using what they already have in their kitchen.

“Watching something grow again can be just as fascinating as watching a seed sprout,” said Dr. Shelley Mitchell, Oklahoma State University Extension 4-H Youth Development horticulture specialist.

Plants can reproduce in a variety of ways. While many plants grow from seeds, some can grow from a piece cut from a growing plant, such as a stem or leaf. This is called vegetative propagation. Instead of starting from a seed, a new plant can be grown from a portion of another plant known as a parent plant. In addition, children don’t have to wait months for a seedling to sprout, as the growth can be seen in just a few days.

Families can save food scraps and observe the changes over time. Children will learn new things by measuring new growth, looking for roots and leaves and recording observations in a notebook. Parents can encourage children by asking questions and engaging them with the process.

This at-home activity also provides an opportunity for children to learn how plants reproduce and appreciate what goes into the process. Save those kitchen scraps, and with a little bit of water, sunlight and time, families can grow their own science experiment and garden.

Gardening can be more than kids getting dirt under their fingernails; it’s a great lesson in science.

“Science is an action more than a subject,” Mitchell said. “Science involves problem-solving and creative thinking, and some kids thrive on challenges.”

For more information about growing plants and the reproduction process, visit OSU Extension's Plants in the Classroom: Growing from Food Scraps fact sheet.

Story By: Taylor Yount | taylor.yount@okstate.edu