Botanical Interests Matador Spinach Seeds

Spinacia oleracea Dark green, smooth, oval-shaped leaves are a versatile addition to the kitchen! 'Matador' has great, sweet flavor as a mature plant, can also be enjoyed as a baby green in salad mixes, and has the perfect texture for cooked dishes, such as risotto. Productive plants yield smooth, easy-to-clean leaves. Grows especially well when sown for fall harvest. About Features FamilyAmaranthaceae NativeSouthwest Asia Life Cycle Annual Plant HeightShort (Under 12") About Matador Spinach Seeds Spinacia oleracea Dark green, oval-shaped leaves. 'Matador' is cold hardy with sweet flavor; and slow to bolt in warm weather. Further Information Plant Characteristics Good for Containers Growing Conditions Frost TolerantHeat Tolerant Planting Info Planting Spinach Days to Maturity28–48 days Plant SpacingA group of 3 seeds 6" Light Required Full sun to part shade Plant HeightShort (Under 12") Planting Depth½" Coverage & Planting Details Coverage This packet sows up to 36 feet. Row Spacing 12" Seed Depth ½" Seed Spacing A group of 3 seeds 6" Thinning When 2" tall thin to 1 every 6" Germination 5–10 days Start Indoors Not recommended; roots sensitive to disturbance. Direct Sow RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is above 40°F; ideally 50°–75°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 weeks before your average first fall frost date. If mulched, spinach can overwinter in sub–zero temperatures. Soil temperatures above 85°F halt germination. Growing & Harvesting Pick individual leaves from outer edges of plant as they become big enough to use or cut the whole plant 1" above the ground; new leaves will be produced. When picking individual leaves, also removing the leaf stem at the same time is best; this reduces vulnerability to disease during die-back and conserves plant energy. Harvest before the plant sends up a flower stalk (bolting). Just prior to bolting, leaves take on an "arrowhead" shape, adding small keel shapes to the base of the leaf.