SPINACH - BLOOMSDALE LONG STANDING

Organic Spinach Bloomsdale Long Standing

          100 Seeds Pack    

 Bloomsdale spinach, introduced by farmer David Ladreth in 1826, is a variety known for its large, Kelly green leaves that are puckered at the base, creating a savoyed appearance. This spinach has a sweeter flavour and succulent texture, offering a more substantial, winter greens-like taste compared to standard spinach. Its medium to large leaves are oval to spade-shaped with blunt, curved ends and even edges, displaying deep grooves, wrinkles, and folds. The dark green, glossy leaves are thick, crisp, and chewy, with a prominent central midrib extending into a firm, light green, fibrous stem. The fibrous nature varies with maturity, and many consumers prefer removing the stems from larger leaves before cooking. Bloomsdale spinach boasts a robust, earthy, nutty, and vegetal flavour with a pronounced sweetness, making it richer in taste than other spinach varieties, with a slightly tangy aftertaste and no bitterness.

           PLANTING & GROWING

Spinach can be cultivated in plant containers on your balcony garden or indoors near a sunny window, making it a versatile option for gardeners without suitable garden spaces. Choose a container at least 8 inches wide with drainage holes to ensure proper water drainage. Since spinach has sensitive roots, it's best to plant seeds directly into the chosen container to avoid repotting. Soak the seeds for a few hours or overnight before planting, and disinfect any reused pots or trays to prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors.

Spinach seedlings are difficult to transplant, so for spring crops, start indoors only if your garden soil is too wet for direct sowing. Spinach thrives in moist, nitrogen-rich soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and tolerates slightly alkaline conditions but is sensitive to acidic soils. Ensure the plants receive about six hours of direct sunlight daily, thin them to at least 15 cm apart, and sow seeds successively every month for a continuous harvest. As a cool-season crop, spinach grows rapidly and features a deep taproot, requiring no additional support.

Companion planting is beneficial for spinach. Pair it with slower-maturing crops like tomatoes and peppers, allowing ample space once the spinach is harvested. Beans and peas are excellent companions, enriching the soil with nitrogen and providing shade to prevent bolting. Other compatible crops include cabbage, cauliflower, chard, onion, and strawberries, while fennel and potatoes should be avoided

Spinach is wind-pollinated and can cross-pollinate between varieties but not with other beet family members like beets and chard. To prevent cross-pollination, separate spinach varieties by at least half a mile or use wind-proof bags to enclose at least 10 plants under the same bag for effective pollination. Shake the bagged plants frequently to ensure proper pollination.