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Don't Throw It, Grow It!: 68 Windowsill Plants From Kitchen Scraps
Don’t throw out your kitchen scraps — grow them! Discover how you can transform leftover pomegranate seeds, mango pits, and dried bits of gingerroot into thriving plants. From the common carrot to the exotic cherimoya, you’ll be amazed at the gardening possibilities hidden in the foods you eat.
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2008
63 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 12, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
With grocery prices having risen to a ridiculous price, I know more people are looking to grow their own food again. I had looked at seed packets last year and couldn't believe how much they were charging for them. This book goes through all of the different fruits, vegetables and herbs, and it tells you how to grow them without having to buy a seed packet. Like how to take a carrot or potato that you already have to turn it into a new plant.
I would definitely recommend this book.
With grocery prices having risen to a ridiculous price, I know more people are looking to grow their own food again. I had looked at seed packets last year and couldn't believe how much they were charging for them. This book goes through all of the different fruits, vegetables and herbs, and it tells you how to grow them without having to buy a seed packet. Like how to take a carrot or potato that you already have to turn it into a new plant.
I would definitely recommend this book.
May 19, 2009
My dad always grew a series of avocado plants from the pit in water in the windowsill of our kitchen. I've always been the type to buy seeds and starts at a greenhouse or nursery, but when I saw this book, I thought I should give it a chance.
I had a difficult time reading this book because, for some reason outside the realm of human understanding, my kitten fell in love with me suddenly while I was reading this. I read a lot, so it was definitely not the normal "cat thing" of trying to sleep on your book. She was literally throwing her body into my arms, purring wildly, and kneading my arm with her razor sharp claws. Has anyone else experienced temporary demonic possession in their cat while reading this book? Just curious.
Separate from the cat issue, this little book is so entrancing. Certainly, some of the items are geared toward producing decorative ornamentals, not food producing, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a fair number of suggestions for plants that would produce real food. The instructions are clear, the illustrations are darling. Starting plants from food scraps is kind of a hit-or-miss method, so you need to be a little relaxed and open to the adventure to figure it out. The authors cover plenty of familiar food-to-houseplant items, but there are also a ton of more exotic and exciting suggestions. There are 68 plants (as per the title), but at least half were totally novel to me.
Here's a list of things I am excited to grow after reading this book, even though I should have read it several months ago so I could have integrated it into my 2009 garden. I'm trying not to be bitter about the lost opportunity & just be glad I didn't miss the 2010 growing season as well.
-peanuts
-lemongrass
=chickpeas
-meyer lemons
-sesame
-dill
-sugar cane
-ginger
-fennel
-prickley pear
-garlic (no idea why i wasn't excited about this before, but i really wasn't)
I had a difficult time reading this book because, for some reason outside the realm of human understanding, my kitten fell in love with me suddenly while I was reading this. I read a lot, so it was definitely not the normal "cat thing" of trying to sleep on your book. She was literally throwing her body into my arms, purring wildly, and kneading my arm with her razor sharp claws. Has anyone else experienced temporary demonic possession in their cat while reading this book? Just curious.
Separate from the cat issue, this little book is so entrancing. Certainly, some of the items are geared toward producing decorative ornamentals, not food producing, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a fair number of suggestions for plants that would produce real food. The instructions are clear, the illustrations are darling. Starting plants from food scraps is kind of a hit-or-miss method, so you need to be a little relaxed and open to the adventure to figure it out. The authors cover plenty of familiar food-to-houseplant items, but there are also a ton of more exotic and exciting suggestions. There are 68 plants (as per the title), but at least half were totally novel to me.
Here's a list of things I am excited to grow after reading this book, even though I should have read it several months ago so I could have integrated it into my 2009 garden. I'm trying not to be bitter about the lost opportunity & just be glad I didn't miss the 2010 growing season as well.
-peanuts
-lemongrass
=chickpeas
-meyer lemons
-sesame
-dill
-sugar cane
-ginger
-fennel
-prickley pear
-garlic (no idea why i wasn't excited about this before, but i really wasn't)
September 3, 2008
This cute little book is packed with good info and its funky design and layout make it that much more appealing. I have yet to experiment with any of the seeds/pits/roots they discuss, but the authors' simple instructions made me ready to go. The opening section of the book describes the propagation methods and materials/set-ups needed and it is all presented in the most unintimidating way possible (i.e. any idiot can do this...at least this idiot hopes so!). Then each vegetable/spice/fruit that can be grown is given its own section in which detailed instructions and descriptions of the resulting plant are given. I especially appreciated that the authors noted which ones are easy to grow and maintain as well as the life span of the plants (some like avocados last years, some like lentils last only a few weeks or months). By far, the most impressive thing about this book is the sheer diversity of foods covered - there are many Latin American and Asian fruits and vegetables covered that I have never even heard of, but that, assuming I could find them in the stores, would make exceptional houseplants. As an apartment gardener, this DIY type of plant alchemy is very appealing, let's just hope it's all as easy as the authors' say.
October 29, 2017
Sadly, this book did not fulfill how to grow your own vegetables and herbs from existing foods/plants. It's more for growing your own decorative plants and less about anything harvestable. Total disappointment. That said, it's well written, and does offer good advice for what it is. Just don't misunderstand its purpose like I did.
July 30, 2022
Different than I'd hoped, but that was my fault for not reading the description carefully. This is mostly about growing decorative house plants green a variety of food items, and doesn't get deep into propagation for food production like I'd hoped.
August 12, 2016
This was okay.
It did make me want to experiment with all sorts of fruits and vegetables I have in my kitchen, but they would mostly not fit on my kitchen window sill and would take a lot more effort than I want to give. And they mostly don't bear any sort of fruit in the end, so it's not actually growing food. But, on the other hand, it is growing interesting kinds of houseplants for free, so there's that.
It did make me want to experiment with all sorts of fruits and vegetables I have in my kitchen, but they would mostly not fit on my kitchen window sill and would take a lot more effort than I want to give. And they mostly don't bear any sort of fruit in the end, so it's not actually growing food. But, on the other hand, it is growing interesting kinds of houseplants for free, so there's that.
December 4, 2012
This book would be infinitely more useful if they indicated which plants can be grown just for fun (that avocado seed will not grow into a avocado producing plant) and those that actually produce food you can eat.
June 14, 2015
I felt like this book promised more than it delivered. I thought it would have more pointers for regrowing foods from kitchen scraps, but it was mostly about how to grow exotic fruits and vegetables for ornamental purposes. That's not really "kitchen magic" in my opinion.
February 20, 2021
If you’re a planting newbie this book is for you.
If you’re trying to be self sufficient and realize the power of propagation, this book is for you.
If you like to explore foods from all over the globe, this book is for you.
I really enjoyed this read. It’s concise and straight to the point. If you have space, some pots and soil then you should give this book a go and try out growing exotic fruits and vegetables!
I made note on my favourite plants and will experiment in the future. I’ve already started the prickly pear... still waiting.
What’s lovely about this book is not only the 70s drawings that they layout next to the description but the way they layout the information about the specific species. For example:
BLACK SAPOTE
Diospyros digyna
EBENACEAE
-plant type: evergreen tree
-growth rate: slow-growing
-method: from seed
-light: bright sun
What it looks like: ....
Image of tree and of fruit and seeds (drawings always)
How to grow it:...
Time to taste:...
And a little box explaining it’s origin and an interesting fact either historical or contemporary.
•••
So that’s the layout of every entry for each plant. I find that it’s easy to read and understand.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I was yearning actual images of the plants because some are so new to me and different that I can’t believe they look how they are described! Also, nothing can beat nature’s real beauty no matter how talented you are at illustrating.
I understand it was the aesthetic they were abiding by, when the book was made cameras were only for the very rich and expensive to use. But I mean, if you’re going as far as to publish a book I would’ve added photographs perhaps at the end of the book if you would’ve wanted to maintain the artistic flow.
If you’re trying to be self sufficient and realize the power of propagation, this book is for you.
If you like to explore foods from all over the globe, this book is for you.
I really enjoyed this read. It’s concise and straight to the point. If you have space, some pots and soil then you should give this book a go and try out growing exotic fruits and vegetables!
I made note on my favourite plants and will experiment in the future. I’ve already started the prickly pear... still waiting.
What’s lovely about this book is not only the 70s drawings that they layout next to the description but the way they layout the information about the specific species. For example:
BLACK SAPOTE
Diospyros digyna
EBENACEAE
-plant type: evergreen tree
-growth rate: slow-growing
-method: from seed
-light: bright sun
What it looks like: ....
Image of tree and of fruit and seeds (drawings always)
How to grow it:...
Time to taste:...
And a little box explaining it’s origin and an interesting fact either historical or contemporary.
•••
So that’s the layout of every entry for each plant. I find that it’s easy to read and understand.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I was yearning actual images of the plants because some are so new to me and different that I can’t believe they look how they are described! Also, nothing can beat nature’s real beauty no matter how talented you are at illustrating.
I understand it was the aesthetic they were abiding by, when the book was made cameras were only for the very rich and expensive to use. But I mean, if you’re going as far as to publish a book I would’ve added photographs perhaps at the end of the book if you would’ve wanted to maintain the artistic flow.
March 26, 2023
For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle
An okay read on how to grow your own plants from the items you buy at the grocery store. I'll admit, I didn't look at this too hard before getting into it, so I didn't realize it mainly focuses on growing houseplants rather than producing food. Fine for those looking to add some greenery to their house or yard.
The book opens with some basic growing techniques including how to start, care for plants, and deal with pests. It then goes through a variety of entries of plants that can be grown from the seeds, corms, tuber, and other parts of store-bought produce.
Each entry contains of the scientific name, plant type, growth rate, method, light level needed, what it looks like, how to grow it, and where it originates along with an illustration of the seed and full plant. There is also a designation of plants that a deemed easy to grow.
The 2008 edition is a republishing of the 1977 version. Though some information has been revised, it doesn't appear the tone has changed much. The focus is quite white-centric and assumes the reader is white as well. The authors "discovered" these growing techniques by going on excursions to a "particular ethnic neighborhood" to search for "unusual fruit or vegetable". They encourage readers to look for "unusual goodies" in Asian shops and enjoy the "exotic odors" of Middle Eastern markets, despite the fact their antics at times alarmed and irritated grocers.
The organization was a little confusing to me. It is broken down into basic sections of vegetables; fruits and nuts; and herbs and spices. Then there are separate sections on plants from Latin America and Asia. This seemed like an unnecessary distinction since some of the foods found in these sections are available in modern mainstream grocery stores (jicama, ginger, persimmons) and many of the plants featured in the first three sections also originate in Asia or Latin America (star apple, feijoa, kiwi). This may have made sense in the original version but doesn't really fit for the revised edition.
At its base, it's a fine book at presenting the information it has to share. It is a useful little reference guide on cultivating scraps. However, the tone was out-of-date and made it difficult to fully enjoy.
An okay read on how to grow your own plants from the items you buy at the grocery store. I'll admit, I didn't look at this too hard before getting into it, so I didn't realize it mainly focuses on growing houseplants rather than producing food. Fine for those looking to add some greenery to their house or yard.
The book opens with some basic growing techniques including how to start, care for plants, and deal with pests. It then goes through a variety of entries of plants that can be grown from the seeds, corms, tuber, and other parts of store-bought produce.
Each entry contains of the scientific name, plant type, growth rate, method, light level needed, what it looks like, how to grow it, and where it originates along with an illustration of the seed and full plant. There is also a designation of plants that a deemed easy to grow.
The 2008 edition is a republishing of the 1977 version. Though some information has been revised, it doesn't appear the tone has changed much. The focus is quite white-centric and assumes the reader is white as well. The authors "discovered" these growing techniques by going on excursions to a "particular ethnic neighborhood" to search for "unusual fruit or vegetable". They encourage readers to look for "unusual goodies" in Asian shops and enjoy the "exotic odors" of Middle Eastern markets, despite the fact their antics at times alarmed and irritated grocers.
The organization was a little confusing to me. It is broken down into basic sections of vegetables; fruits and nuts; and herbs and spices. Then there are separate sections on plants from Latin America and Asia. This seemed like an unnecessary distinction since some of the foods found in these sections are available in modern mainstream grocery stores (jicama, ginger, persimmons) and many of the plants featured in the first three sections also originate in Asia or Latin America (star apple, feijoa, kiwi). This may have made sense in the original version but doesn't really fit for the revised edition.
At its base, it's a fine book at presenting the information it has to share. It is a useful little reference guide on cultivating scraps. However, the tone was out-of-date and made it difficult to fully enjoy.
November 26, 2012
Fun! This is largely about how to grow ornamental houseplants from weird fruits and veggies you find in specialty markets, not how to actually grow food from supermarket food (often impossible because it's irradiated... mmm... irradiated...), but some of the plants will yield useable items, and beautiful foliage or flowers from something you'd otherwise toss (if you don't compost) is pretty rad. I got this one from the library but it seems like it would be a useful manual to keep in one's handbag while checking out farmer's or ethnic markets, to check the easiness/hardiness/light requirements/zone of each. Seems like most you can grow inside no problem, but several will have to be put out in summer to bloom, some in the fridge (not gonna work in my apartment-sized one...) so worth owning as a reference- I will be looking out for it. I like plants and I especially like free plants.
January 19, 2013
Some good ideas and basic guidelines/encouragement to experiment with all kinds of fruits, nuts, and legumes out of local and ethnic groceries in indoor pots. I'm going to try lentils, almonds, peanuts, coriander, sesame, and chickpeas. I've had poor luck with fruiting plants in my north-facing windows (avocados! ah!), but it'll be a good late winter inspiration to sprout random dry goods around the house, and to get some legumes going in the pots, green manure for veggies in the summer.
I've been thinking about sweet potatoes and ginger since reading Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World last winter, so maybe I'll try those too.
I've been thinking about sweet potatoes and ginger since reading Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World last winter, so maybe I'll try those too.
June 23, 2018
Little book with brief information for most of the items - sometimes too brief, and at times confusing. I know nothing about cooking Prickly Pear and the instructions were incomplete. (What are pads? Is the flesh that you scoop out edible?) For the Jerusalem Artichoke, the author never tells us how or even what to harvest to eat! Several plants were very short-lived ornamentals, which I found discouraging for the effort. Some things will eventually become productive but many will not! It would be nice to have an indication of all that at the beginning of the planting description. I found this book alternately frustrating and interesting. No photos, poorly organized. This could have been a much better book if it had a more standard format, but an interesting idea.
November 25, 2014
I was not so much disappointed in the book by how apparently difficult it is to grow plants from kitchen scraps.
Really you have to buy a whole second plant to grow and on top of that, most of these plants will not flower or fruit inside, or in the climate of my house, or if you don't already have a good base of gardening knowledge. Definitely a better for book for those interested in doing a bit more intensive gardening or growing more exotic plants.
Really you have to buy a whole second plant to grow and on top of that, most of these plants will not flower or fruit inside, or in the climate of my house, or if you don't already have a good base of gardening knowledge. Definitely a better for book for those interested in doing a bit more intensive gardening or growing more exotic plants.
March 28, 2012
I frankly expected more from this plant book. Sure, it has a unique spin in that all of these plants can be grown from kitchen scraps on your windowsill. However, there are no photographs and each entry only comes with the bare minimum of information. More hints and growing tips, photos, and information about the plants would have made this so-so book an excellent reference.
April 28, 2014
As many others have said, this book didn't live up to the expectation I had for it, mainly that I would learn how to grow edible things from previously edible things. I didn't finish it, and just skimmed through after I realized this, but the author barely touches on harvesting any actual food and merely comments on what type of (decorative) houseplant the food scrap will make.
March 13, 2017
"Scraps" isn't quite the right word here. Sure, some of the things are legitimately scraps, but others you have to buy one if you want to grow it--you can't grow it from what's left over after you cook it/prepare it. Even so, it's an interesting book and I learned quite a bit about growing things like avocados and dates from leftover seeds.
April 10, 2019
Aww man, not what I thought. I guess I should have read the title better. This is a great how to on growing unique houseplants from scraps. If that is your desire, then read this one!
August 19, 2019
This book was helpful, but disorganized - it would have helped to have the items you can grow alphabetized so you're able to quickly find the items you want to grow.
November 9, 2025
Don’t Throw It, Grow It (2nd Edition) by Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam sounds like the perfect book for anyone who’s ever stuck an avocado pit in water and hoped for leafy glory. My daughter and I love little growing experiments on the windowsill, so I was excited to see what new treasures this book might bring. Unfortunately, it left me a bit underwhelmed.
The book seems to be caught between audiences — half whimsical kid-friendly project guide, half a grown-up manual — but isn’t quite either. Some plants come with a bit of geographic background and snippets of origin lore and then others are just… there, without context. The selection itself feels a bit random too. The authors mention that they hunted through “exotic” shops for inspiration, yet the book swings from herbs like fennel and dill to cherimoyas and genip, skipping right over practical mainstays like tomatoes, cucumbers or strawberries. I enjoy growing from seed just for the fun of growing and seeing a few straggly shoots. Inclusion of a few more practical plants might however give some younger readers the joy of a successful harvest and not just the heartbreak of discovering that no amount of wishful thinking will give them a homegrown kiwis.
Structurally, the different sections feel don’t feel intuitive or logical to me. There’s overlap between the main vegetable and fruit section and regional chapters on Asia and Latin America. This and some of the more general gardening advice, make the book feel a bit outdated. Concepts like “sterile soil” and leaning on peat-based mixes without mentioning alternatives are a surprise in 2025. It’s a shame, because a fresh scientific perspective or thoughts around sustainability could have made this book feel genuinely updated.
That said, the book looks great. The design is tidy and bright, the illustrations are plentiful and charming. It’s visually delightful enough to flip through just for inspiration. Maybe it will spark curiosity in budding growers discovering the joys of plant life for the first time.
Thank you to Storey Publishing, NetGalley and the authors for an advance reading copy of this book.
The book seems to be caught between audiences — half whimsical kid-friendly project guide, half a grown-up manual — but isn’t quite either. Some plants come with a bit of geographic background and snippets of origin lore and then others are just… there, without context. The selection itself feels a bit random too. The authors mention that they hunted through “exotic” shops for inspiration, yet the book swings from herbs like fennel and dill to cherimoyas and genip, skipping right over practical mainstays like tomatoes, cucumbers or strawberries. I enjoy growing from seed just for the fun of growing and seeing a few straggly shoots. Inclusion of a few more practical plants might however give some younger readers the joy of a successful harvest and not just the heartbreak of discovering that no amount of wishful thinking will give them a homegrown kiwis.
Structurally, the different sections feel don’t feel intuitive or logical to me. There’s overlap between the main vegetable and fruit section and regional chapters on Asia and Latin America. This and some of the more general gardening advice, make the book feel a bit outdated. Concepts like “sterile soil” and leaning on peat-based mixes without mentioning alternatives are a surprise in 2025. It’s a shame, because a fresh scientific perspective or thoughts around sustainability could have made this book feel genuinely updated.
That said, the book looks great. The design is tidy and bright, the illustrations are plentiful and charming. It’s visually delightful enough to flip through just for inspiration. Maybe it will spark curiosity in budding growers discovering the joys of plant life for the first time.
Thank you to Storey Publishing, NetGalley and the authors for an advance reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Review: Don’t Throw It, Grow It by Millicent Selsam and Deborah Peterson
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely loved Don’t Throw It, Grow It! From the moment I picked it up, I was drawn in by its charming cover and vibrant illustrations. This book is a treasure trove for anyone curious about turning everyday kitchen scraps into thriving little plants right on your windowsill.
The concept is simple but brilliant: instead of tossing out pits, seeds, roots, and other bits of food scraps, why not grow them? The book guides you step-by-step on how to cultivate a wide variety of plants from things you’d probably just toss into the compost bin—think carrots, avocados, almonds, even spices like caraway seeds. It’s like giving new life to the leftovers from your meals. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners or anyone short on gardening space.
What really stood out to me was how fun and accessible the whole thing felt. The colorful graphics make the process inviting, and the layout keeps you engaged without feeling overwhelming. As someone who gardens in an apartment with very limited space, I found this DIY approach to growing plants super appealing. It’s a wonderful way to add some greenery indoors while getting creative with what you already have.
In short, Don’t Throw It, Grow It is an inspiring little guide packed with practical tips and delightful ideas. If you’re interested in gardening, sustainability, or just looking for a fun project to try at home, this book is definitely worth checking out. Five stars from me!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely loved Don’t Throw It, Grow It! From the moment I picked it up, I was drawn in by its charming cover and vibrant illustrations. This book is a treasure trove for anyone curious about turning everyday kitchen scraps into thriving little plants right on your windowsill.
The concept is simple but brilliant: instead of tossing out pits, seeds, roots, and other bits of food scraps, why not grow them? The book guides you step-by-step on how to cultivate a wide variety of plants from things you’d probably just toss into the compost bin—think carrots, avocados, almonds, even spices like caraway seeds. It’s like giving new life to the leftovers from your meals. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners or anyone short on gardening space.
What really stood out to me was how fun and accessible the whole thing felt. The colorful graphics make the process inviting, and the layout keeps you engaged without feeling overwhelming. As someone who gardens in an apartment with very limited space, I found this DIY approach to growing plants super appealing. It’s a wonderful way to add some greenery indoors while getting creative with what you already have.
In short, Don’t Throw It, Grow It is an inspiring little guide packed with practical tips and delightful ideas. If you’re interested in gardening, sustainability, or just looking for a fun project to try at home, this book is definitely worth checking out. Five stars from me!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
February 9, 2026
What a wonderful book! As a gardener who is passionate about learning new things, I fell in love with the concept of propagating plants indoors for food (or unique/pretty foliage) from kitchen bits and seeds from vegetables, nuts, legumes, herbs, and fruits.
The 68 types of plants featured are incredibly varied. Each includes information such as species name, plant type, growth rate, growing method (soil, pebbles, seed), light and water requirements, historical bits, and tips. The colourful illustrations are charming and useful.
I grow a handful of vegetables from the root bits such as green onions, radishes, celery, and garlic but this book is a game changer. My next experiments will be chickpea, ginger, almond, peanut, fig, lemongrass, and sesame. As I live in the Mediterranean, access to fascinating plants is easy but anyone, whether a beginner or expert, can do this in almost any climate. When living in northern Canada I grew a few plants using these methods. Super fun and satisfying.
Another aspect to enjoy about this book is that unusual plants are included (cherimoya, caraway, genip, malaga, jujubes) and some which would be a great challenge such as carob.
The story of this author team is charming...and successful! The upbeat theme continues throughout the book. I can't wait to dig in!
The 68 types of plants featured are incredibly varied. Each includes information such as species name, plant type, growth rate, growing method (soil, pebbles, seed), light and water requirements, historical bits, and tips. The colourful illustrations are charming and useful.
I grow a handful of vegetables from the root bits such as green onions, radishes, celery, and garlic but this book is a game changer. My next experiments will be chickpea, ginger, almond, peanut, fig, lemongrass, and sesame. As I live in the Mediterranean, access to fascinating plants is easy but anyone, whether a beginner or expert, can do this in almost any climate. When living in northern Canada I grew a few plants using these methods. Super fun and satisfying.
Another aspect to enjoy about this book is that unusual plants are included (cherimoya, caraway, genip, malaga, jujubes) and some which would be a great challenge such as carob.
The story of this author team is charming...and successful! The upbeat theme continues throughout the book. I can't wait to dig in!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was excited to receive an e-ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review the second edition of this book.
While I haven't read the first edition of the book, Don't Throw It, Grow it is a great resource for people who: 1. Want to try plant propagation at home 2. Decrease food waste 3. Easily turn seeds and tubers into wonderful household plants!
The illustrations are colorful and helpfully depict the plant and process for propagation. The plants are divided up into sections (relating to their type, such as seed, nut, fruit, and also by geographic location). Finally, there is a thorough index in the back of the book in case there is something you want to find without reading the whole book front to back.
I plan to buy a copy for myself and can't wait to start using it to successfully grow plants from seeds at home. I enjoyed the e-book copy, but think I'll look for a physical copy that I can put post-it notes in to quickly jump to certain pages and plants again and again.
While I haven't read the first edition of the book, Don't Throw It, Grow it is a great resource for people who: 1. Want to try plant propagation at home 2. Decrease food waste 3. Easily turn seeds and tubers into wonderful household plants!
The illustrations are colorful and helpfully depict the plant and process for propagation. The plants are divided up into sections (relating to their type, such as seed, nut, fruit, and also by geographic location). Finally, there is a thorough index in the back of the book in case there is something you want to find without reading the whole book front to back.
I plan to buy a copy for myself and can't wait to start using it to successfully grow plants from seeds at home. I enjoyed the e-book copy, but think I'll look for a physical copy that I can put post-it notes in to quickly jump to certain pages and plants again and again.
November 11, 2025
Are you a plant enthusiast? This book teaches you how to grow new plants from the seeds of everyday items you already use! The author provides clear, detailed growing instructions, including information on growth rate (for example, whether it’s a slow or fast grower) and light requirements for each plant. I appreciated the multiple illustrations for each plant—they make the process so much easier to visualize!
I also liked how the author labeled some of the growing instructions as “easy,” which is perfect for beginners. The book balances the factual information with little anecdotes about the different species, making it both informative and enjoyable to read.
This book would make a perfect gift for any plant lover!
Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing me with this ARC!
March 16, 2020
An intriguing guide to for those who like to foster unusual houseplants, but don't want to pay expensive shipping costs to have tropical greenery sent to their homes. This book is fun for both the avid gardener and the curious house plant enthusiast alike. In addition, there is a valuable introductory section on starting some of the more challenging plants by varied methods. This book is also sort of a work in memoriam of Deborah's Peterson's partner in adventurous plant cultivation Millicent Selsam. Ms. Peterson includes short asides about their experiences shopping the ethnic markets and groceries of New York City that simply add charm and kindly understanding of the desire to create one's own domestic Eden.
November 8, 2025
With the price of food going up more every day, it only makes sense to grow your own, especially when you can grow fresh foods from table scraps. My family has grown tomatoes and peppers from the compost pile for years, but this book takes the practice several steps past an occasional tomato. The practical guide to what can be grown and how best to utilize space and resources made this an excellent book for the beginner and expert gardeners on my gift lists this year. Everyone I know is excited to grow their own food, and this book makes it much easier. I'd recommend it to every gardener on your list, and don't forget a copy for yourself.
November 21, 2025
A very simple how to for growing and yielding plants from home! As someone who has a garden out here in the middle of nowhere, sometimes I need some advice or suggestions of what to plant and when to yield my best supply. With the way inflation has taken over and the recent food stamps crisis, some people are having trouble affording food and something simple like good wholesome veggies. I find that this guide could come in handy for such an event like this or for someone who wants to take up gardening and don't know where to begin.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A good starting point if you’re interested in cultivating food sources. It starts with some basics on different ways to start them off, then lists 68 items ranging from fruit, nuts, herbs and vegetables with a brief description on each and which method is best to try. You will find information on carrots, ginger, peanuts, persimmon, black sapote, dates, taro, etc.
It’s a quick read that points one in the right direction, not a complete detailed resource. I would recommend for anyone interested in experimenting with kind of a “give it a try” attitude.
Thank you Deborah Peterson, Millicent Selsam and Storey Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley
It’s a quick read that points one in the right direction, not a complete detailed resource. I would recommend for anyone interested in experimenting with kind of a “give it a try” attitude.
Thank you Deborah Peterson, Millicent Selsam and Storey Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley
February 24, 2026
This book wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would help me learn to regrow more kitchen scraps, like the chives I grow from onion tops by the kitchen sink and the herbs I root into new plants to harvest all winter. Instead, it is mostly about growing houseplants from things you can buy at grocery stores, especially international ones. The book was first printed in the 1970s and one of the original authors has died. My house is filled with houseplants and I love gardening, but I didn’t feel particularly inspired. It’s an interesting book but it was a bit of a miss for me.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
November 11, 2025
This is a simplified intro for growing your own produce without much prior knowledge. There's an easy to read layout. My kid was really excited to try some of the ones stamped 'easy' first, they love experiments.
Yet, I wish there was more to it. It seemed like it's trying to be geared towards kids and adults but doesn't completely hit both marks. Plus it would have benefited with more visual aspects (I would have liked to see what stages could be expected), even if they were drawn and not photographs.
* NetGalley 2nd Edition review
Yet, I wish there was more to it. It seemed like it's trying to be geared towards kids and adults but doesn't completely hit both marks. Plus it would have benefited with more visual aspects (I would have liked to see what stages could be expected), even if they were drawn and not photographs.
* NetGalley 2nd Edition review
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