Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach – MIg

Description

Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach is a classic heirloom spinach variety valued for its dark green, crinkled leaves, rich flavor, and excellent texture. This vigorous variety is known for being slower to bolt than many traditional spinach types, making it a reliable choice for harvesting tender baby leaves or mature leaves over an extended period. The nutritious leaves are excellent for salads, smoothies, soups, sautés, omelets, curries, and cooked vegetable dishes. Its compact growth makes it suitable for raised beds, containers, and kitchen gardens. Bloomsdale Long Standing performs particularly well in the UAE during the cooler growing season.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Outdoors: Direct sow seeds from early October through December.
• Avoid: Peak summer planting, as extreme heat can cause rapid bolting, reduced germination, and bitter leaves.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Grow in full sun during the cooler months. Provide partial shade if temperatures begin to rise. Use fertile, loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost and organic matter.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 5–14 days under suitable conditions.
• Spacing: Space plants 10–15 cm apart, with 20–30 cm between rows. For baby-leaf production, plants can be grown more closely together.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular moisture helps produce tender, flavorful leaves and reduces stress.
• Feeding: Add compost before planting and apply a balanced organic fertilizer during active growth if needed. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Harvest: Baby leaves can be harvested approximately 25–35 days after sowing, while mature leaves are generally ready in around 40–55 days.
• Harvesting Tips: Pick the outer leaves as needed, leaving the center of the plant intact for continued growth. For a full harvest, cut the entire plant just above the soil surface.
• Succession Planting: For a continuous supply, sow small batches every 2–3 weeks during the suitable growing season.