---
title: Long Island Brussels Sprouts
created: 2026-05-24
updated: 2026-05-25
type: entity
tags: [brassicas, heirloom, open-pollinated, animal-friendly]
sources: [raw/articles/seedvault-home-page.md]
---
# Long Island Brussels Sprouts
## Overview
Most common and widely adapted open-pollinated Brussels Sprout variety for home gardens. Compact heads with tender, sweet sprouts.
- **Category:** Brassicas
- **Price:** $3.12
- **Tags:** Chicken Friendly
- **Variety Type:** Open-pollinated heirloom
- **Days to Harvest:** 90-110 days from transplant
- **Germination:** 7-10 days at 50-85°F
- **Plant Height:** 24" tall
- **Sprout Size:** Average 1.5" diameter
## Growing Instructions
- **Sowing:** Plant late May or early June for fall harvest. Start 1/2" in soil. When 6" tall, transplant 2ft apart.
- **Care:** Compress soil around seed, keep moist. pH 6.0-7.0. Stake if windy.
- **Harvest:** Twist off stem from bottom up. 1" sprouts most tender.
## Soil & Conditions
- **pH:** 6.0-7.5, well-drained, rich compost. Heavy feeder. Long season.
## Seed Storage
- **Viability:** 3-4 years cool/dry. Store below 40°F.
- **Pre-treatment:** None required. Start indoors or direct sow early spring/fall.
## Yield
- **Per Plant:** 1-2 lbs per plant (20-40 sprouts)
- **Harvest Season:** Late fall through early winter
- **Note:** Sweetens after first frost
Biennial. Bolts year 2 with tall raceme stalk. Bag to prevent brassica cross-pollination. Harvest when seed pods brown.
## Pest & Disease
Cabbage worms (Bt, row covers), cabbage loopers, flea beetles, clubroot (raise pH, rotate 4 years), aphids.
## Harvest & Preservation
Pick from bottom up as sprouts mature. Sweetens after frost. Store refrigerated 2-3 weeks. Blanch and freeze. Roast or steam.
## Companion Planting
### Good Companions
- **[[long-island-brussels-sprouts]] family** — Same family benefits, shared pest management
### Avoid Growing With
- **Tomatoes** — Compete for nutrients, attract shared pests
## Related
- [[seedvault-market]]
- [[grow-guides]]
- [[seed-catalog]]