{"product_id":"long-island-improved-brussels-sprouts-seeds","title":"Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong Island Improved Brussels Sprouts is one of the oldest and most storied heirloom Brussels sprouts varieties in American gardening — a variety so well-suited to the cool, maritime climate of Long Island, New York that it became synonymous with the region’s market gardening tradition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Long Island was once the commercial Brussels sprouts capital of the East Coast, and this variety was the backbone of that industry. Developed through careful open-pollinated selection for uniform, tightly packed sprouts with exceptional flavor, Long Island Improved became the standard by which all other Brussels sprouts were measured. Today it remains a beloved heirloom for home gardeners who want a proven, time-tested variety with deep roots in American agricultural history. Open-pollinated and non-GMO.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78–90 days (from transplant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright plants 24–36 inches tall with a strong central stalk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSprout Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uniform, firm, tightly packed sprouts 1–1½ inches in diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong Island Improved delivers the classic Brussels sprouts flavor profile — rich, nutty, and savory with a pleasant bitterness that transforms into deep sweetness after exposure to fall frost. The sprouts are dense and firm with a satisfying texture that caramelizes beautifully when roasted and holds up well to braising and steaming. This is the variety that defined what Brussels sprouts should taste like for generations of American home cooks — bold, hearty, and deeply satisfying from garden to table.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong Island Improved is a vigorous, upright cool-season crop that produces abundant, uniform sprouts along a strong central stalk over a long fall harvest window. Sprouts develop from the bottom of the stalk upward, allowing for continuous harvest over several weeks. A single well-grown plant can yield 50–100 sprouts per season. The variety performs best when planted for fall maturity, with cool temperatures and light frosts bringing out its best flavor and tightest sprout formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood tolerance to clubroot and downy mildew — well-adapted to cool, moist growing conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerforms best in cool fall weather — heat causes loose, bitter sprouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSusceptible to cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles — monitor regularly and use row covers if needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTip: Rotate brassica crops annually and maintain soil pH above 6.5 to minimize clubroot pressure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing: 18–24 inches between plants, rows 24–30 inches apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSow depth: ¼–½ inch deep indoors; transplant when seedlings are 4–6 weeks old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermination: 7–10 days at soil temps of 65–75°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefers rich, firm, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5–7.0 — firm soil produces tighter, better-formed sprouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStake plants in exposed locations — tall stalks can topple in wind or under the weight of a heavy crop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove yellowing lower leaves throughout the season to improve air circulation and direct energy to sprout development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date for a fall crop — Brussels sprouts are best grown as a fall crop, maturing in cool weather and after light frosts for peak flavor and tight sprout formation. Transplant outdoors in midsummer so plants mature as temperatures cool in fall. In mild climates, can also be grown as a spring crop — start indoors in late winter and transplant early. Brussels sprouts do not direct sow well outdoors. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\"\u003eUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNasturtiums\u003c\/strong\u003e — act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from Brussels sprouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDill \u0026amp; Chamomile\u003c\/strong\u003e — attract beneficial wasps and hoverflies that prey on cabbage worms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnions \u0026amp; Garlic\u003c\/strong\u003e — deter aphids and cabbage moths with their strong scent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCelery\u003c\/strong\u003e — repels cabbage white butterflies that lay eggs on brassica leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid planting near:\u003c\/strong\u003e tomatoes and strawberries — inhibit Brussels sprouts growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasted:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve sprouts, toss with olive oil and sea salt, roast at 425°F until deeply caramelized — the definitive preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBacon \u0026amp; Brussels:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sauté with crispy bacon and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a classic fall side dish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaved Raw:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thinly slice raw sprouts for a hearty salad with lemon, parmesan, and toasted pine nuts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBraised:\u003c\/strong\u003e Braise in chicken stock with butter and thyme for a rich, tender preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStir-Fried:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve and stir-fry with garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce for a quick, flavorful weeknight side\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA true American heirloom with deep roots in Long Island’s market gardening tradition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUniform, firm, tightly packed sprouts with classic rich Brussels sprouts flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlavor sweetens dramatically after frost — the ultimate fall garden reward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong harvest window — pick lower sprouts continuously as upper ones develop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA natural companion to cauliflower, broccoli, and kale in the Brassicas bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBegin harvesting lower sprouts when they reach 1–1½ inches in diameter and feel firm when squeezed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest from the bottom of the stalk upward — lower sprouts mature first\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSnap or cut sprouts cleanly from the stalk — don’t pull or twist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave upper sprouts to continue developing after lower ones are harvested\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter a light frost, flavor sweetens dramatically — patience pays off at harvest time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStore harvested sprouts unwashed in the refrigerator for up to 1 week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdd Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts Seeds to your garden this season and grow the historic heirloom variety that defined American Brussels sprouts for generations. Choose your pack size and begin to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 15 seeds","offer_id":53860466327866,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 50 seeds - 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":53860466360634,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/long-island-improved-brussels-sprouts-harvest-basket.png?v=1786061182","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/long-island-improved-brussels-sprouts-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}