Bloomsdale Spinach Seeds: Complete Growing Guide

Bloomsdale spinach seeds produce a classic, dark green, savoyed (crinkled) leaf spinach variety known for its excellent flavor, cold tolerance, and disease resistance. This heirloom variety matures in 40-50 days, thrives in cool weather, and performs exceptionally well in both spring and fall gardens when planted in well-drained soil with consistent moisture.

Why Gardeners Choose Bloomsdale Spinach Seeds

For over a century, Bloomsdale spinach has been a garden favorite for good reason. This open-pollinated heirloom variety offers superior cold tolerance compared to modern hybrids, making it ideal for early spring and late fall planting. Its deeply crinkled, dark green leaves provide that classic spinach flavor home gardeners love—earthy, slightly sweet, and perfect for both raw salads and cooked dishes.

Understanding Bloomsdale Spinach Characteristics

Before planting, understanding what makes Bloomsdale unique helps maximize your harvest. Unlike many modern varieties developed primarily for commercial harvesting, Bloomsdale was bred for flavor and garden performance. Its upright growth habit and thick leaves resist bolting longer than many alternatives when temperatures rise.

Spinach Variety	Leaf Type	Days to Maturity	Cold Tolerance	Disease Resistance
Bloomsdale Long Standing	Savoyed (crinkled)	48-50	Excellent	Fusarium, downy mildew
Cat's Tongue	Semi-savoyed	40-45	Good	Moderate
Space (Hybrid)	Semi-savoyed	35-40	Fair	Excellent
Indian Summer	Savoyed	45-50	Very Good	Good

Comparison of popular spinach varieties showing why Bloomsdale excels in home gardens

Planting Bloomsdale Spinach Seeds Successfully

Timing makes all the difference with this cool-season crop. For spring planting, sow seeds as soon as soil can be worked—typically 6 weeks before your last expected frost. The University of California Cooperative Extension confirms spinach seeds germinate best in soil temperatures between 45-75°F (7-24°C), with optimal germination at 70°F (21°C).

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

1. Prepare soil with 2-3 inches of compost worked into the top 6 inches
2. Plant seeds ½ inch deep, spacing 2-3 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart
3. Water gently but thoroughly after planting
4. Maintain consistent moisture—spinach needs 1-1.5 inches of water weekly
5. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart when first true leaves appear

Historical Evolution of Bloomsdale Spinach

Bloomsdale spinach has an interesting history that explains its enduring popularity. Developed in the late 19th century, this variety became widely available through seed catalogs by the 1890s. According to historical records from the USDA National Agricultural Library, Bloomsdale gained prominence during World War I when victory gardens encouraged home food production.

The "Long Standing" designation emerged in the 1940s to distinguish improved versions with greater resistance to bolting. This characteristic remains Bloomsdale's most valued trait today—its ability to maintain quality longer as temperatures rise compared to standard varieties. While commercial growers have shifted toward smoother-leaf varieties for mechanical harvesting, home gardeners continue to prize Bloomsdale for its superior flavor and garden performance.

Climate and Growing Conditions

Bloomsdale performs best in specific conditions. Understanding these context boundaries prevents common planting mistakes:

• Ideal USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 3-9 as a cool-season crop
• Temperature Limits: Germinates in soil as cold as 35°F (2°C), but stops growing above 85°F (29°C)
• Soil Requirements: Prefers slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5) with good drainage
• Sun Exposure: Full sun in spring/fall, partial shade in warmer climates

Gardeners in warmer zones (7-9) should plant in late fall for winter harvests, as spring plantings often bolt quickly when temperatures rise. The Cornell University Gardeners' Resource Guide notes that mulching helps maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature, critical for preventing premature bolting.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Proper care ensures healthy plants and maximum yield:

• Water consistently—allowing soil to dry out causes bitterness and bolting
• Fertilize with balanced organic fertilizer when plants have 4-6 leaves
• Monitor for aphids and leaf miners, which commonly affect spinach
• Apply floating row covers to protect young plants from pests
• Weed carefully to avoid damaging shallow roots

Bloomsdale's disease resistance makes it less prone to common spinach issues, but proper spacing (6 inches between plants) ensures good air circulation that prevents fungal diseases. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends crop rotation—avoid planting spinach in the same spot more than once every three years to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Harvesting for Maximum Flavor

Timing your harvest affects both yield and flavor. Bloomsdale reaches maturity in 48-50 days from seeding. For continuous harvest:

• Begin harvesting when leaves reach 6-8 inches long
• Take outer leaves first, allowing inner leaves to continue growing
• Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture
• Never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once

For full plant harvest, cut stems 1-2 inches above soil line. Bloomsdale will often send up a second growth if conditions remain cool. The moment spinach begins to bolt (send up flower stalks), leaves become bitter—harvest immediately when you notice this change.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with proper care, challenges may arise. Here's how to address them:

• Yellowing leaves: Indicates nitrogen deficiency—apply compost tea or balanced fertilizer
• Bolting: Caused by warm temperatures or water stress—harvest immediately and replant in cooler weather
• Small, distorted leaves: Likely aphids—spray with insecticidal soap
• White spots on leaves: Indicates leaf miners—remove affected leaves and apply row covers
• Poor germination: Spinach seeds lose viability quickly—use fresh seeds each season

Remember that Bloomsdale's main advantage is its resistance to fusarium wilt and moderate resistance to downy mildew—common problems with other varieties. The University of Minnesota Extension reports that proper spacing and avoiding overhead watering significantly reduces disease pressure.

Storing and Using Your Harvest

For best flavor and nutrition, use spinach soon after harvest. If storing:

• Refrigerate unwashed in airtight container with paper towel for moisture control
• Will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator
• Freeze blanched leaves for longer storage (up to 10 months)
• Never wash until ready to use to prevent premature spoilage

Bloomsdale's crinkled leaves trap more dirt than smooth-leaf varieties, so wash carefully in multiple changes of cool water. The extra texture provides more surface area for dressings to cling to in salads, and holds up better when cooked than many modern varieties.

When is the best time to plant Bloomsdale spinach seeds?

Plant Bloomsdale spinach seeds 6 weeks before your last expected spring frost for a spring harvest, or 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost for a fall/winter harvest. The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 45-75°F (7-24°C). In warmer climates (zones 7-9), plant in late fall for winter harvests as spring plantings often bolt quickly when temperatures rise.

How deep should I plant Bloomsdale spinach seeds?

Plant Bloomsdale spinach seeds ½ inch deep in well-prepared soil. Space seeds 2-3 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart. After germination, thin seedlings to 6 inches apart to allow proper growth. Planting too deep can prevent germination, while planting too shallow may cause seeds to dry out before sprouting.

Why does my Bloomsdale spinach keep bolting?

Bolting (premature flowering) in Bloomsdale spinach typically occurs due to warm temperatures above 75°F (24°C), inconsistent watering, or day lengths exceeding 14 hours. While Bloomsdale Long Standing has improved bolting resistance, it's still a cool-season crop. To prevent bolting, maintain consistent soil moisture, provide afternoon shade in warmer climates, and harvest promptly when temperatures rise. Planting in spring as early as possible or in fall for winter harvests works best.

How do I prevent diseases in my Bloomsdale spinach plants?

Prevent diseases in Bloomsdale spinach by ensuring proper spacing (6 inches between plants) for air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, rotating crops (don't plant spinach in the same spot more than once every three years), and using disease-resistant varieties. Bloomsdale has natural resistance to fusarium wilt and moderate resistance to downy mildew. Remove affected leaves promptly and apply organic fungicides if necessary. The USDA recommends mulching to prevent soil splashing onto leaves, which spreads disease.

Can I grow Bloomsdale spinach in containers?

Yes, Bloomsdale spinach grows well in containers with proper care. Use a container at least 6-8 inches deep with drainage holes, filled with high-quality potting mix. Plant seeds ½ inch deep and thin to 4-6 inches apart. Container-grown spinach requires more frequent watering—check soil daily and water when the top inch feels dry. Place containers in full sun for spring/fall growing, with afternoon shade in warmer weather. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with balanced organic fertilizer for best results.