SPINACH ‘Bloomsdale’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea
Bloomsdale is a much-loved heirloom spinach variety producing thick, dark green, crinkled leaves with excellent flavour and nutrition. A quick-growing and frost-tolerant crop, it can be harvested young as baby spinach or left to mature for full-sized leaves. Ideal for cool-season growing in home gardens, raised beds, or containers. Bloomsdale performs best in consistently moist, well-drained soil and can be picked continuously to extend your harvest window.
Why Grow Bloomsdale Spinach?
- Classic crinkled spinach with excellent flavour and texture
- Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and iron—nutrient-packed leafy green
- Fast-growing and productive in cool seasons
- Tolerates frost and light shade—ideal for early or late crops
- Great for fresh salads, smoothies, soups, and sautéing
Growing Instructions
- Sow direct into garden beds or containers 1 cm deep.
- Choose a sunny to part-shade position with fertile, well-drained soil.
- Keep soil consistently moist—mulch to reduce water loss and weeds.
- Harvest regularly to promote new leaf growth and delay bolting.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Annual leafy green, grows 20–30 cm tall
Sowing Information:
- Germination: 7 – 14 days
- Depth: Sow seeds 1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sow Where: Direct sow in beds, pots, or containers
- Soil Type: Moist, fertile, well-drained (pH 6.0–7.5)
- Spacing: 15–20 cm between plants, 30–40 cm between rows
When to Sow Bloomsdale Spinach in New Zealand:
| NZ Region | Sowing Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Island – Upper (e.g. Auckland, Bay of Plenty) | March – September | Best grown during cooler months. Provide shade if planting late in season. |
| North Island – Lower (e.g. Wellington, Taranaki) | March – October | Thrives in spring and autumn. Water regularly to prevent bolting. |
| South Island – Northern (e.g. Nelson, Marlborough) | February – April August – October |
Ideal for early spring or late summer sowing. Protect from wind. |
| South Island – Central & Southern (e.g. Canterbury, Otago) | February – April September – November |
Very frost-tolerant. Sow as soon as soil can be worked in spring. |
Growing Tips for New Zealand Gardeners:
- Sow every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply of baby or mature leaves.
- Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
- Mulch well to keep soil cool and moist, especially during dry periods.
- Ideal for interplanting with slower crops in early spring or autumn beds.
Harvest:
Harvest baby leaves in 30–40 days or wait 50–60 days for mature growth. Pick frequently to extend the season and avoid bolting.
