Brussels Sprouts 'Long Island Improved'
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera 'Long Island Improved'
A reliable heirloom Brussels sprouts variety that produces abundant harvests of sweet, compact sprouts along tall, sturdy stalks. This cold-hardy variety actually improves in flavor after frost, developing a nutty sweetness that makes it perfect for roasting. An excellent choice for gardeners wanting to grow their own fresh Brussels sprouts without the bitterness often found in store-bought varieties.
Harvest
100-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Brussels Sprouts 'Long Island Improved' in USDA Zone 7
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Brussels Sprouts 'Long Island Improved' · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | May – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Long Island Improved sprouts store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer, unwashed and loosely wrapped in perforated plastic bags. They'll maintain peak quality for 2-3 weeks when stored at 32-35°F with high humidity. Don't wash until ready to use, as excess moisture accelerates decay.
For longer storage, blanch whole sprouts in boiling water for 3-4 minutes depending on size, then immediately plunge into ice water. Once cooled and drained, freeze in airtight containers for up to 12 months. The post-frost sweetness of this variety makes frozen sprouts far superior to most store-bought options.
Fermenting is another excellent preservation method – quarter the sprouts and ferment like sauerkraut for 3-4 weeks. The natural sugars developed after frost create particularly flavorful fermented sprouts. You can also dehydrate halved sprouts at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create crispy chips that retain much of their nutty flavor.
History & Origin
Long Island Improved Brussels sprouts emerged in the late 1800s from the fertile market gardens of Long Island, New York, where immigrant Dutch and German farmers adapted European Brussels sprouts varieties to American growing conditions. The variety was specifically selected for its ability to withstand the harsh northeastern winters and produce consistently large harvests for the growing New York City market.
This heirloom represents generations of careful seed saving by Long Island truck farmers who selected plants that produced the most uniform, flavorful sprouts while maintaining cold hardiness. The 'Improved' designation reflects decades of selection for larger sprout size, better stalk strength, and enhanced cold tolerance compared to the original European varieties.
By the early 1900s, Long Island Improved had become the standard commercial variety for northeastern growers and remained dominant until hybrid varieties were introduced in the 1960s. Today, it's cherished by home gardeners and small-scale farmers who prize its reliable performance and exceptional flavor development after frost – qualities that made Long Island a Brussels sprouts powerhouse for nearly a century.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, repels cucumber beetles
Thyme
Repels cabbage worms and whiteflies, attracts beneficial insects
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
Onions
Repels cabbage root flies, aphids, and other brassica pests
Marigolds
Deters nematodes and general garden pests, attracts beneficial insects
Carrots
Loosens soil around Brussels sprouts roots, doesn't compete for nutrients
Celery
Natural pest deterrent that repels cabbage worms and aphids
Beets
Different root depth prevents competition, may improve soil structure
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, tomatoes may stunt brassica growth
Strawberries
Inhibits Brussels sprouts growth and development through root competition
Mustard
Same family (Brassicaceae) attracts identical pests and diseases, depletes soil nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2685575)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good tolerance to clubroot and black rot
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew