How to Grow Brussels Sprouts from Scraps

Cutting up brussels sprouts (sometimes mistakenly written as brussel sprouts as well) for dinner can be a great way to enjoy a healthy, delicious meal. But did you know that you can also use the scraps to grow your own brussels sprouts in the comfort of your own home? Growing brussels sprouts from scraps is an easy way to start gardening for beginners and a fun way to reduce food waste as well. Let’s look at how it’s done.

Brussels Sprouts Nutrition Facts

Brussels sprout, with its bitter taste, is a member of the cabbage family, and it contains a good amount of dietary fiber, and vitamins A and C. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants which can help reduce inflammation in the body. One cup of cooked brussels sprouts will provide you with approximately 3 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbohydrates and 0.5 gram fat.

Brussels sprouts are also low in calories, so they make an excellent addition to any healthy diet. One cup of cooked brussels sprouts contains only around 40 calories. However, they are high in sodium so be sure to watch your intake.

Regrowing Brussels Sprouts from Scraps — The Basics

The first step is to save some of the outer leaves and stems of brussels sprouts that were recently harvested. Place them in a glass container with a few inches of water. Place the container in an area where it will receive plenty of sunlight, such as near a window or on a balcony, in room temperature. Change out the water every few days to keep it fresh. After about a week, you should start to see new roots developing at the bottom of each stem.

Once you have established roots, transplant your brussels sprout cuttings into the soil. Make sure to choose an area with well-drained soil and full sun for maximum growth potential. Use scissors or pruning shears to trim any overly long stems before planting them in the soil. Be sure not to overcrowd your plants; give each cutting at least four inches of space so that they have room to grow and expand their roots.

Water your plants regularly and provide plenty of light for optimal growth conditions. Once your brussels sprout plants have grown to be about four inches tall, you can begin harvesting the edible sprouts.

Gathering Your Supplies

To get started, you will need brussels sprout scraps (with some of the stem still attached), a container with drainage holes, potting soil, and water. You don’t need anything fancy; any plastic or ceramic container will do. It should be large enough to accommodate the entire stem once it has rooted and begun growing leaves.

Planting Your Brussels Sprout Scraps

Now it’s time to plant your scraps! Fill the container with potting soil until it’s about halfway full, then place each scrap inside the soil so that only the stem is buried in the dirt. Make sure there is enough space between each scrap so that they don’t crowd each other out as they grow bigger.

Once all of your scraps are planted, give them a good watering and set them somewhere where they can get plenty of sunlight. If you’re planting indoors, a windowsill is the perfect spot.

Caring for Your Brussels Sprouts

Your brussels sprouts will need a lot of light to grow and develop properly. Make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Water them regularly (at least once per week) to keep the soil moist and provide essential nutrients. As your plants grow, you may need to thin them out or move them to larger containers for more space.

Harvesting Your Sprouts

It may take several months before your plants are ready to harvest—but when they are, you will have plenty of fresh, organic brussels sprouts right at home!

After several weeks of growth, you should notice that your brussels sprouts are beginning to form small heads at the top of each plant. You can begin harvesting these when they reach one inch in diameter or larger — simply twist off each head with your fingers or use scissors for larger ones! Continue harvesting as needed until all heads have been harvested; this process should take several weeks until all heads are ripe and ready for enjoyment!

Preserving Your Vegetable

If you would love to enjoy your homegrown brussels sprouts all year long, you can also freeze them for later. Start by blanching the sprouts in boiling water for two to three minutes before plunging them into a bowl of ice water. This will help preserve their flavor and texture. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet or tray and place in the freezer for several hours until frozen. Finally, transfer them to an airtight container or bag and store in the freezer for up to one year!

Conclusion

Growing brussels sprouts from scraps is a fun and easy way for beginner gardeners (and experienced gardeners alike!) to extend their harvest season while saving money on buying new seedlings! If you have young kids, growing these mini cabbages is also a great way to show them how their food is grown, get them excited about gardening, and encourage them to eat more veggies! With a little patience and care, you’ll be enjoying your homegrown brussels sprouts in no time. So why not give it a try today? You won’t regret it!