Spinach Matador Seeds: Spinacia oleracea

Spinach Matador Seeds

Spinach Matador Seeds (Spinacia oleracea) is a robust, fast-growing heirloom. Known for its cold tolerance and slow-bolting habit, it produces smooth, dark green leaves with excellent flavor and texture. Perfect for baby spinach or mature harvests, ‘Matador’ performs well in gardens, containers, or raised beds. Its adaptability to cool weather makes it ideal for spring, late summer and even winter crops.

Pack Size: Approximately 700 seeds per packet

Botanical Information Spinacia oleracea

• Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea
• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Origin: Southwest Asia
• Plant Type: Hardy annual
• Dimensions: 6–8 inches tall; semi-erect rosettes
• Leaves: Dark green, smooth, oval-shaped, with long petioles
• Growth Habit: Fast-growing; dense, high-yielding foliage
• Days to Maturity: 28 days (baby greens), 48 days (full-sized)
• Traits: Cold hardy, slow to bolt, heat tolerant

Cultivation Details Spinach ‘Matador’

• Sowing: Direct sow from early spring to late summer or fall; suitable for overwintering in mild climates
• Sowing Depth: ½ inch (1 cm)
• Spacing: Sow seeds 1 inch apart; thin to 4–6 inches; space rows 12–18 inches apart
• Sunlight: Full sun preferred; tolerates partial shade
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-draining; slightly acidic to neutral pH
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, avoid waterlogging
• Fertilizing: Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer; side-dress during growing season
• Pests/Disease: Watch for slugs, aphids, and downy mildew; ensure good air circulation
• Successive Sowing: Sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest
• Shade in Summer: Protect from heat to reduce bolting
• Companion Plants: Lettuce, radishes, strawberries

Harvesting

• Harvest young leaves as baby spinach or allow full leaf development
• Pick individual leaves or cut entire plant 1 inch above ground for regrowth
• Harvest before bolting for best flavor

Culinary Uses

• Raw: Delicious in salads, especially as tender baby greens
• Cooked: Great for risottos, pastas, soups, stews, quiches, lasagna, and cannelloni
• Preservation: Ideal for freezing and canning

Nutritional Value

• Rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K
• Good source of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and folate (B9)
• High in dietary fiber for digestive health
• Low in calories — approx. 7 calories per cup of raw spinach