Spinach Seeds - Bloomsdale Long Standing

The Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach is a classic heirloom variety known for its exceptional flavor and hardy growth. With deep, crinkled leaves, this spinach produces high-quality greens that are rich in nutrients and flavor. It’s called “Long Standing” because it’s more resistant to bolting in warmer weather compared to other spinach varieties, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to extend their growing season.

Key Benefits

• Heat Tolerance: Bloomsdale Long Standing is known for its ability to resist bolting in warmer weather, allowing for a longer harvest period.
• Nutritious: Packed with vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium, it provides excellent nutritional value for a healthy diet.
• High Yield: This variety produces large, dark green, wrinkled leaves, ensuring a generous harvest for fresh use or freezing.
• Versatile: Ideal for both fresh eating in salads and cooking in a variety of dishes like soups, stews, and sautés.

Variety Features

• Appearance: Dark green, crinkled, and savoyed (wrinkled) leaves with a deep texture.
• Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet with a hint of earthiness, perfect for fresh and cooked applications.
• Maturity: Ready to harvest in about 45-50 days from sowing.
• Size: Produces large, robust leaves that can grow up to 6 inches long.

Planting Instructions

Best Planting Season

• Spring/Fall: Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach thrives in cooler temperatures and is best planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. It’s a cold-tolerant variety that can handle light frosts, making it perfect for cooler seasons.

Planting Details

• Sowing Depth: Plant seeds about ½ inch deep.
• Spacing: Space seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows, with rows 12-18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to allow 4-6 inches of space between each plant.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Adding compost or organic matter will improve soil fertility and drainage.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. Spinach prefers consistent moisture, but the soil should be well-draining to prevent root rot. Water deeply but avoid wetting the leaves to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.

Light

• Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach prefers full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, some afternoon shade may help prevent the plant from bolting prematurely.

Temperature

• Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach grows best in temperatures between 50°F and 60°F (10°C–15°C). It can tolerate light frost, making it ideal for early spring or late fall planting.

Harvesting

When to Harvest

• Spinach leaves can be harvested as early as 45 days after planting. Pick the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. For the best flavor, harvest the leaves before the plant bolts (goes to seed).

How to Harvest

• Use scissors or garden shears to cut the outer leaves of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to keep growing. This will allow the plant to produce new leaves for extended harvesting.

Storage

• Short-Term: Fresh spinach should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or container for up to 5-7 days.
• Long-Term: To store spinach for longer periods, blanch it and freeze it. This will help preserve its flavor and nutrients.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: The tender leaves of Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach are perfect for fresh salads, adding a mild and slightly sweet flavor.
• Cooking: This variety is excellent for sautéing, steaming, and adding to soups, stews, and pasta dishes.
• Smoothies: Add spinach to smoothies for a nutritional boost.
• Freezing: Blanch and freeze the spinach to preserve it for future use in cooked dishes.

Conclusion

Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach is an excellent choice for home gardeners who want a reliable, flavorful spinach variety that can thrive in cooler temperatures. Its ability to withstand heat and resist bolting ensures a longer harvest season, making it ideal for spring and fall gardening. With its high nutritional value and versatility in the kitchen, Bloomsdale Long Standing spinach is perfect for both fresh and cooked dishes. Whether you're enjoying it in salads or preserving it for later use, this spinach variety is a must-have in any vegetable garden.