SPINACH

Bloomsdale Long Standing

45 days. Heavy, glossy, dark green leaves are heavily savoyed and crumpled. Slow to bolt.

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Packet. Avg. 1.3 gm. App. 100 seeds. $3.00

CULTIVATION: Spinach grows in a wide range of soils if moist and fertile, but is sensitive to acidity. pH should be at least 6.0, preferably 6.5-7.5.

SOWING DATES: Spinach germinates best in cool soil. Begin sowing in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Summer sowing in soil over 85°F (30°C) risks low or erratic germination! Sow late in July into September for the fall crop. Spinach can also be planted from September until freeze-up for an early harvest the following spring; floating row covers offer effective winter protection.

PLANTING AND HARVEST: For bunching and full size: Sow about 9-10 seeds/ft., 1/2″ deep, rows 12-18″ apart. Harvest spinach full size but before bolting, cutting just below root attachment for “rooted spinach”, or cut higher for “clipped spinach”. For baby leaf: Sow in a 2-4″ wide band, 3/4″ apart, about 40 seeds/ft. Clip small leaves in 3-5 weeks, depending on time of year and speed of growth. Triple-rinse leaves, sort out cut and broken leaves, and package. For a continuous supply, sow every 7 days.

STORAGE: Store at 32°F (0°C) and 95% humidity 10-14 days.

AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE:  40 seeds/ft. in rows 18″ apart.