Vegetable
Long Island Improved
A tier
Long Island Improved is the classic American open-pollinated Brussels sprout—medium buttons up a sturdy stalk, reliable for home gardens, and the heirloom flavour baseline. Frost sweetens; summer heat makes them stronger. Spacing and stripping lower leaves traditionally helped button size. Roast, boil carefully (don’t overboil), or shred. Historic OP yields less uniform buttons than modern hybrids but satisfies garden nostalgia. Harvest from bottom up as buttons firm.
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History
Long Island Improved sprouts were selected in New York growing districts.
Long Island Improved became the US garden standard sprout.
Hybrids began replacing OP Long Island in commercial fields.
Seed savers kept Long Island Improved for heirloom gardens.