How to Grow Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
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Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Spinacia oleracea 'Bloomsdale Long Standing'
vegetableBloomsdale Long Standing is a classic heirloom spinach variety known for its deeply crinkled, dark green leaves and exceptional bolt resistance, making it ideal for gardeners in warm climates. This productive cultivar produces abundant harvests and has been a favorite since the 1920s for its reliability and superior cold hardiness. The savoyed (crinkled) leaves add texture and visual appeal to salads and cooked dishes.
When should you plant Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach in your zone?
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Example Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; exceptional cold hardiness makes it perfect for spring and fall cultivation in cooler regions
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Get my Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-10 daysSeeds sprout with two cotyledons (seed leaves) appearing above soil within 7-10 days at optimal temperatures of 50-70°F
Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Maintain cool conditions—high heat can delay or prevent germination. Provide indirect light once sprouted
Seedling
10-14 daysTrue leaves emerge and develop the characteristic savoyed texture; plants grow rapidly with increasing leaf production
Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Reduce watering slightly to encourage root development. Begin gentle air circulation to strengthen stems
Vegetative Growth
20-35 daysRapid leaf production with deepening green color and increasing savoyed texture; plant becomes bushy with numerous harvestable leaves
Provide consistent moisture and balanced nitrogen nutrition. Monitor for pests. Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 6-8 true leaves. Keep soil cool with mulch in warm weather
Maturity & Harvest
5-14 daysPlant reaches full size with abundant, dark green, deeply crinkled leaves ready for harvest; the 'Long Standing' trait shows its resistance to bolting
Harvest outer leaves continuously to extend production and delay bolting. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Water consistently to prevent stress that triggers bolting
Senescence/Bolting
Begins around 50-70 days; accelerates in heatIf conditions trigger bolting, a flowering stem emerges from the center; leaves may yellow and become bitter
Once bolting begins, plant quality declines rapidly. Remove bolt immediately if desired, but harvest is generally complete at this point. Pull plant and compost or remove from garden
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants; remove infested leaves immediately; encourage beneficial parasitoid wasps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs or lacewings; avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer
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Use floating row covers; apply kaolin clay spray; use neem oil; encourage ground beetles by maintaining mulch
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Increase humidity and water misting; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce predatory mites in greenhouse settings
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide or sulfur at first sign; remove infected leaves; choose resistant varieties
Uses
Salads & Fresh Eating
CulinaryThe tender, deeply savoyed leaves are perfect for raw salads, adding visual appeal and a slightly sweet spinach flavor. Baby leaf spinach is particularly tender and delicate. [source]
Cooked Dishes & Pesto
CulinaryMature leaves cook down beautifully for soups, curries, pasta dishes, and spinach pesto. The savoyed texture helps trap sauces and flavors. [source]
Nutritional & Iron Content
MedicinalSpinach is renowned for its high iron, calcium, magnesium, and folate content, along with vitamins A, C, and K, making it a nutritional powerhouse for health-conscious diets. [source]
Lutein & Eye Health
MedicinalRich in lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that support eye health and reduce macular degeneration risk. These antioxidants accumulate in the retina and protect against UV damage. [source]
Natural Dye & Pigments
HouseholdThe chlorophyll-rich leaves can be used to create natural green dyes for fabrics and crafts, and the plant material is excellent for composting and soil amendment. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 6-8 true leaves (baby leaf stage at 30-40 days), or wait until plant reaches full size (50-70 days) for full head harvest. For continuous harvest, pinch or cut outer leaves from the bottom of the plant, allowing inner leaves to continue growing. Harvest in early morning for best texture and nutritional content. Avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time. The 'Long Standing' variety's bolt resistance means you can harvest over a longer period than standard spinach varieties. In cool seasons, plants may continue producing for 2-3 weeks or more with regular harvesting
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bloomsdale Long Standing was introduced in the 1920s and named after Bloomsdale Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where it was developed. It remains one of the most reliable and bolt-resistant spinach varieties over a century later.
- 🌱 The 'Long Standing' designation specifically refers to the variety's exceptional resistance to bolting (flowering prematurely), making it superior to other heirloom spinach for warmer seasons and longer harvest windows.
- 🌱 The savoyed (wrinkled) leaves of Bloomsdale spinach aren't just for looks—the texture traps and holds moisture and nutrients, making the leaves more flavorful and nutrient-dense than smooth-leafed spinach varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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