History
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach is one of the most beloved and enduring heirloom spinach varieties in American gardening history. Developed in the early 1800s near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it has been a staple of home gardens and seed catalogs for over two centuries. Its deeply crinkled, savoyed leaves and exceptional flavor made it the standard by which all other spinach varieties were measured. Prized for its slow-bolting habit — a rare trait that extends the harvest season well beyond most spinach varieties — Bloomsdale Long Standing remains the go-to choice for gardeners who want the most from their spring and fall plantings. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, every seed carries the same reliable genetics that American gardeners have saved and replanted for generations.
Plant Profile
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Days to Maturity: 48–60 days
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Plant Size: Compact rosette, 6–8 inches tall with a spreading habit — ideal for raised beds, containers, and intensive plantings
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Leaf Size: Medium to large, deeply crinkled (savoyed), thick and glossy dark green
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom
Flavor Profile
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach delivers a rich, earthy spinach flavor with a slightly sweet undertone that intensifies after light frost. Its thick, savoyed leaves have a satisfying texture — substantial enough to hold up in cooking while remaining tender enough for fresh salads. The flavor is noticeably more complex and robust than flat-leaf spinach varieties, making it a favorite for both raw and cooked applications. One of the most flavorful spinach varieties you can grow.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Bloomsdale Long Standing is a cut-and-come-again crop — harvest outer leaves continuously while the plant keeps producing from the center. Its slow-bolting habit is its defining advantage: where most spinach varieties rush to seed in warm weather, Bloomsdale holds on longer, giving you weeks of additional harvest. In cool climates it will produce prolifically through spring and into early summer, and again from fall through early winter. Expect a generous, sustained harvest from a plant that earns its place in every cool-season garden.
Disease Resistance
- Good tolerance to downy mildew — one of the most common spinach diseases
- Slow-bolting habit reduces stress-related disease pressure during warm spells
- Performs best in cool, moist conditions with good air circulation
- Tip: Avoid overhead watering in humid conditions to minimize fungal disease pressure
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: 4–6 inches between plants, rows 12–18 inches apart (or broadcast sow and thin)
- Sow depth: ½ inch deep
- Germination: 7–14 days at soil temps of 35–75°F (optimal 50–65°F)
- Full sun to partial shade — partial shade extends the harvest in warmer weather
- Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and a slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.0)
- Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring — spinach tolerates frost
- Water consistently — drought stress accelerates bolting
When to Plant
Direct sow 4–6 weeks before your last frost date for a spring crop — spinach tolerates frost and can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall crop, direct sow 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost. Spinach does not transplant well — direct sow is strongly preferred. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Strawberries — a classic companion; spinach acts as a living mulch beneath strawberry plants
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Radishes — fast-maturing companion that loosens soil and marks rows; harvest before spinach fills in
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Garlic & Onions — repel aphids and other common spinach pests
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Peas — fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting spinach planted nearby
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Avoid planting near: fennel — allelopathic and inhibits growth of most vegetables including spinach
How to Enjoy
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Raw: Baby leaves make an exceptional salad base — rich flavor stands up to bold dressings
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Sautéed: Wilt with garlic and olive oil for a simple, nutritious side dish
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Soups & Stews: Stir into soups, lentils, or pasta dishes in the last few minutes of cooking
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Smoothies & Juicing: Blend with fruit for a nutrient-dense green smoothie
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Quiche & Eggs: A natural pairing — fold into frittatas, quiches, and scrambled eggs
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Freezing: Blanch and freeze for year-round use in cooked dishes
Why Gardeners Love Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
- Slow-bolting habit extends the harvest season well beyond ordinary spinach varieties
- Rich, complex flavor — noticeably better than flat-leaf types
- Thick, savoyed leaves hold up beautifully in cooking and salads
- One of the earliest crops you can plant — goes in the ground before most vegetables
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year
- A true American heirloom with over 200 years of proven garden performance
Harvest Tips
- Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants reach 4–6 inches tall — never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at once
- Always harvest from the outside in, leaving the central growing point intact
- Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and moisture content is highest
- Once plants begin to bolt (send up a flower stalk), harvest the entire plant immediately for best flavor
- Store harvested leaves in a damp paper towel inside a sealed bag in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days
Order Today
Add Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach Seeds to your garden this season and grow one of America's most celebrated heirloom greens. Whether you're planting a spring crop or stocking your fall garden, Bloomsdale delivers season after season. Choose your pack size below and start growing today.
