Me too, me too. I just read that exact same thing last night and am heading off to the grocery store today to buy some and try it. I do know that where I read, it suggested leaving it out on your counter for a week or so in case it was refrigerated. Good luck with yours and I'll keep ya posted on mine. Oh, also try lemon grass if you can find some with tiny bits of roots on the bottom.

coriander
celery
cloves
apples, oranges & other fruit
fritos
caraway
chiles
walnuts & various other nuts

Poppy seed
dill
Anise
Cumin
parsley seed

fritos? :)

Susan

Just seeing if you were paying attention. ;o)

Al

Always...(well, usually).

Susan

Thanks for the replies :-) Already have some hot chilies planted. Maybe I will try the cloves and cumin..(and fritos lol)

You can also the following grow very easily:
Fenugreek (very good for your health, especially diabetes)
Ajwain (Carum copticum)
Black Peppercorns
Tumeric Root

Theoretically you should also be able to grow mustard seeds and cardamom pods. Basically, most whole spices in your cupboard are in fact seeds that can be grown in the right temperatures and soil conditions.
-Esperanza

Thank you! Can I also ask which of the above listed produce nice foliage or flowers so that it could work as an ornamental plant too? I have most of the above spices so I will try one at a time.

I've tried growing ginger from store-bought root before, but haven't had much luck. After trying 3-4 times, the closest I got was one small shoot that withered away after a while. Anyone have any tips on increasing my chances of success?

What I read about growing ginger said leave it on the counter for about two weeks. Then fill pot 3/4 full of rich soil, set up to drain well, but kept moist. Cover so that after you water, one inch of soil will remain over the top of the ginger. Likes a lot of indirect sunlight. Also, be particular about the roots that you buy to try growing. They should be the shiniest and least wrinkled. Also choose the one(s) with the most green showing around the buds (or whatever they're called, eyes if they were potatoes). At about .70 cents each, it's one experiment I think I can afford.

Dazed,
You are asking for ornamental plants. Unhulled, untoasted sesame seed purchased from a health food store germinates in a few days growing into an annual, about 4' shrub type bush with soft pink/white blossoms which keep hummers happy. A very pretty neutral background plant that does not seem to attract insect/disease problems. It thrives in heat. Blossoms early and doesn't quit.

These are not from the cupboard but how about avocado seeds? I chunked some in my compost pile along with the peels and now they are about a foot tall. I don't believe they will produce fruit in my area but they are pretty plants. Like small trees.

tapla, how did you sprout cloves?

I grow some really great garlic each year from the "grocery store." I try to grow varieties that have the thinner stalks that dry well. Have had good luck with a variety that they claim grows from "The Garlic Capital of the World!!"

Also sweet potatoes are a natural for this sort of thing. I prefer the dark red yams (actually) but both can be "started" this way.

One way is to let the yam produce sprouts, or put a piece in water until sprouts form. Cut the sprout from the tuber taking a bit of the flesh, allow the cut to dry, then plant in some potting soil. When the shoots appear to be "taking" replant in the garden in a warm spot. (sweet potatoes like heat to grow).

For the garlic, I just take some likely looking garlic, separate the cloves, punch a finger-sized hole in the ground (I have planter boxes - so along the sides), and drop in a clove. My planting times are late fall/winter - but others may have to wait for spring. I have had some good yields for the past 4 years or so. The best dried garlics are saved, those that have thicker necks are made into garlic salt.

P.S. more than you really wanted to know - I'm sure.

Bejay

How do you grow cloves? The cloves used in the kitchen are dried flower buds. Do they sprout?
Just wondering,
Vaishali

I recommend this funny, well-written book with nutritional and technical information about sprouting:
Mark Braunstein, THE SPROUT GARDEN
http://www.naturalzing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=552&osCsid=b330e1024fefcdcd6844fe...