{"product_id":"long-island-improved-brussels-sprouts-seeds","title":"Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eLong Island Improved Brussels Sprouts — The 1890s Heirloom That Predates Catskill and Remains the Most Popular Variety\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginating around the 1890s, Long Island Improved (\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003egemmifera\u003c\/em\u003e) is the most popular Brussels sprouts variety ever developed — and still is today, even though it is sometimes mistaken for the Catskill strain developed by Arthur White of Arkport, NY in 1941. Long Island Improved is the older variety. Sturdy 30–36-inch stalks with 24–30-inch spread produce firm, light green sprouts 1–2 inches in diameter with a strong cruciferous cabbage flavor that sweetens beautifully after frost. Very tolerant of frost and cold climates. No staking required. Excellent for freezing. 80–100 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Long Island Improved?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe original — older than Catskill\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1890s heirloom, still the most popular Brussels sprouts variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost-tolerant and cold-hardy\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives in zones 2–10; flavor sweetens after frost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSturdy 30–36 inch stalks\u003c\/strong\u003e — no staking required; robust and decorative in the garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirm 1–2 inch sprouts\u003c\/strong\u003e — light green, tight, and prolific; strong cabbage flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBottom-up harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e — sprouts mature from the bottom of the stalk upward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForce-ripen trick\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut the top of the plant 3 weeks before desired harvest to force all sprouts to mature simultaneously\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExcellent for freezing\u003c\/strong\u003e — firm texture holds well through blanching and freezing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow or start indoors 6–8 weeks before last spring frost. Sow ½ inch deep, 4–6 inches apart; thin or transplant to 24–30 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart once true leaves establish. Germination takes 7–14 days. Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil with organic matter, pH 6.0–7.0. Full sun to partial shade. Water 1 inch per week; keep soil consistently moist — drought causes bitterness. Optimal growing temperature 45–75°F. Prune yellowing leaves and lower-half leaves as sprouts emerge for most robust production.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts mature bottom-up — harvest firm 1–2 inch sprouts from the bottom of the stalk first. Twist or cut to detach. To harvest all sprouts at once, cut the top of the plant 3 weeks before your target harvest date to force simultaneous maturity. Entire stalk can be cut at the base when all sprouts are firm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cabbage worms, flea beetles, thrips, slugs, and aphids. No serious diseases but monitor regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80–100 days from transplant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–14 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–36 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–30 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSprout Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–2 inches in diameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSprout Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight green, similar to cabbage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrong cruciferous cabbage notes; sweetens after frost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e½ inch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–30 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, organically fertilized, well-drained; pH 6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–75°F optimal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–10 (annual); 5–10 (biennial for seed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~1890s; predates Catskill (1941)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003egemmifera\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"2 g \/ ~250+ Seeds","offer_id":41712246587526,"sku":"72-622-2027","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7610582254_14p1.jpg?v=1770128934","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/long-island-improved-brussels-sprouts-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}