Winter Bloomsdale

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Winter Bloomsdale spinach brings a velvety, savoyed leaf texture that feels almost plush to the eye—deep green and richly crinkled, with a clean, sweet spinach flavor that holds its charm in cool weather.

At about 40 days, plants form sturdy rosettes of tender leaves that stay flavorful without turning tough, making them a reliable winter favorite. Grow Winter Bloomsdale for fresh salads when the season is crisp, and for hearty greens in sauces and braises when you want a dependable, garden-fresh green.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Winter Bloomsdale

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 11th
Harvest Begins	May 21st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Winter Bloomsdale’s crinkled, plush leaves wilt fast but stay tender, so you get that silky mouthfeel without turning chalky or stringy. It’s sweet and clean even in cold weather, making it ideal for quick heat—think butter-lemon wilt or a creamy dairy sauce that coats the leaf evenly.

Best Uses

quick-tossed warm salads where the leaves stay tender
wilted spinach with butter and a squeeze of lemon
blend into a smooth, silk-thick pasta or gnocchi sauce
braised greens as a base under rich meats, beans, or eggs

Flavor Profile

sweet spinach flavor velvety savoyed leaf texture clean, not-bitter finish tender greens that won’t go tough fast in cool weather

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon Parmesan cream or crème fraîche eggs nutty mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease in Spinacia oleracea (winter spinach) and how can I prevent it?

Watch for downy mildew (often seen as pale yellow patches on leaves with a gray-purple growth underneath), which is promoted by cool, wet conditions. Water at the soil level and avoid wetting the foliage, then improve airflow by spacing plants and removing badly infected leaves early. If it appears, remove affected plants and switch to a biocontrol or labeled fungicide appropriate for edible greens, following the product directions and pre-harvest interval.

How often should I water Winter Bloomsdale spinach during the main growth period?

During the ~40-day growth period, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent stress that can lead to bolting. In cool weather, this is typically about 1 inch of water per week total (from rainfall and irrigation), adjusted to container size and rainfall. Check soil daily during dry spells—if the surface dries out and plants look dull or slow, water immediately and deeply.

How do I tell when Spinacia oleracea is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are tender and reach about 4–6 inches long, typically around 35–45 days after sowing. You can take outer leaves first for a longer harvest window, cutting or pinching leaves close to the base without damaging the center growth. If leaves become noticeably thicker or the plant starts sending up a flowering stalk (bolting), harvest promptly and shift to quick leaf use or re-sow for the next batch.