Long Island Improved is a Brussels sprout cultivar that produces remarkably heavy yields of small, tight, dark green sprouts on 24-inch stalks. Each sprout measures about 1.5 inches round to oval, with a sweet and tender character that shines when steamed. Hardy across zones 2 through 10, this variety thrives in cool-season gardens and tolerates frost, making it a reliable choice for gardeners in diverse climates seeking dependable production.
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Moderate
2-10
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Moderate
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The defining trait here is pure productivity: 24-inch stalks loaded with uniformly sized, dark green sprouts that pack genuine sweetness and tenderness. Unlike some Brussels sprout varieties that yield sparse, oversized buttons, Long Island Improved clusters its sprouts densely along the stalk, delivering volume without sacrificing the tender texture that makes these sprouts worth eating. Home gardeners appreciate the consistent sizing and the fact that steaming brings out their inherent sweetness rather than the sulfurous bitterness associated with poorly grown or overcooked Brussels sprouts.
Long Island Improved sprouts are best enjoyed steamed, where their natural sweetness and tender texture come through without the harsh, cabbage-like bitterness that overcooking can create. The uniform sizing of the sprouts makes them ideal for even cooking, and their smaller 1.5-inch size means they cook through quickly and consistently. These sprouts also work well roasted, though steaming is where their particular variety characteristics truly shine.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your intended transplant date, keeping soil temperature at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for consistent germination. Seedlings should be hardened off before moving outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off, spacing plants 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. For fall harvest (the preferred season in most climates), transplant timing should allow plants to mature as autumn temperatures cool.
Harvest Long Island Improved sprouts when they reach full size (approximately 1.5 inches) and remain firm and tight. Sprouts are ready when they feel dense to the touch and have not begun to loosen or yellow. Begin harvesting from the bottom of the 24-inch stalk, working upward as sprouts mature, and continue harvesting as new sprouts develop higher on the plant. Sprouts are sweetest and most tender after a light frost, so delay full harvest until cool weather arrives if timing permits.
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