Spinach Bloomsdale

Spinach Bloomsdale is a classic variety of spinach known for its tender, dark green leaves and excellent flavor. It's a nutritious addition to salads, sandwiches, and cooked dishes, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Growing Spinach Bloomsdale at home ensures a fresh and bountiful supply of this versatile leafy green.

Preparing for Growing:

• Selecting a planting location: Choose a planting location with partial shade to full sun. Spinach prefers cooler temperatures, especially during the growing season.
• Soil preparation: Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter such as compost or aged manure. Spinach thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If growing in containers, choose pots with adequate drainage holes and fill them with a quality potting mix.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

• Seed preparation: No special preparation is required for Spinach Bloomsdale seeds.
• Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use seedling trays or small pots filled with seed starting mix.
• Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide adequate light, such as a sunny windowsill or under grow lights.
• Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Once seedlings develop true leaves, transplant them into larger containers or outdoors if weather conditions permit.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

• Soil preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and remove debris. Incorporate organic matter to improve soil fertility.
• Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Directly sow Spinach Bloomsdale seeds outdoors in early spring or late summer. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.
• Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate, typically within 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

• Selecting suitable plants for containers: Spinach Bloomsdale is suitable for container gardening.
• Container and soil preparation: Choose containers with good drainage and fill them with potting mix enriched with compost.
• Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, following spacing recommendations on the seed packet.
• Caring for container plants: Place containers in a location with partial shade to full sun and water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.

Transplanting to Garden:

• Soil and planting site preparation: Prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil and incorporating compost. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
• Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once they develop several true leaves, spacing them 4-6 inches apart.
• Post-transplant care: Water transplanted seedlings thoroughly and provide shade if needed to prevent wilting.

Plant Care:

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Water at the base of the plants to prevent fungal diseases.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer according to package instructions once seedlings establish themselves.
• Weeding: Keep the garden bed or containers free from weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture.
• Pest and disease management: Monitor plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Handpick pests like aphids and caterpillars, and treat fungal diseases with appropriate fungicides if necessary.

Harvesting:

• Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest Spinach Bloomsdale leaves when they reach the desired size, typically around 4-6 weeks after planting. Harvest individual leaves as needed or cut the entire plant back to 1 inch above the soil.
• Harvesting and storage guidelines: Harvest leaves in the morning when they are crisp. Store harvested leaves in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels for up to one week.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• Spinach Bloomsdale seeds can be started indoors or sown directly outdoors based on your USDA plant hardiness zone. In colder climates (zones 1-6), start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. In warmer climates (zones 7-11), sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for a fall crop.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in the soil.
• Seed spacing: Plant seeds 2-4 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.
• Plant spacing: Space transplanted seedlings 4-6 inches apart.
• Number of seeds per pot/container: Plant 2-3 seeds per pot or container and thin to the strongest seedling.
• Water preferences: Keep soil consistently moist, watering at the base of the plants.
• Sun preferences: Partial shade to full sun, with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporate compost for added fertility.
• Companion Planting: Spinach grows well with plants like radishes, carrots, and peas. Avoid planting near members of the cabbage family.