Spinach ‘Matador’ Organic Seeds

Spinach ‘Matador’ (Spinacia oleracea), a premier European heirloom renowned for its high yield, robust health, and rich, buttery-mild flavor. Featuring lush, semi-savoyed (crinkled) dark green leaves, this heritage variety is prized by market gardeners and homesteaders alike for its exceptional physical endurance through cool weather and frost.

Engineered by nature for reliability, 'Matador' is notably slow to bolt during warm spring spells, allowing for an extended harvest window compared to standard varieties. Rich in iron, vitamins A and C, and essential minerals, the tender young leaves are ideal for fresh salad mixes, while mature leaves hold their texture beautifully when sautéed, steamed, baked into savory pastries, or blended into morning smoothies.

Features:

• Certified Organic Heirloom: Grown sustainably without synthetic chemicals, preserving authentic heirloom genetics.

• Slow to Bolt: Superior heat tolerance extends harvest windows into late spring and early summer.

• Frost Hardy Powerhouse: Thrives in winter cold and frost, producing sweet, dark green leaves throughout the chilly months.

• High Nutrient Density: Packed with iron, antioxidants, and vitamins for healthy homestead dining.

• Cut-and-Come-Again Harvests: Fast-growing leaves bounce back quickly after picking for continuous harvests.

Growing Information (Australia):

• Scientific Name: Spinacia oleracea 'Matador'

• Plant Type: Cool-season Annual

• Growth Habit: Compact rosette (Non-vining/Bushy leafy greens)

• Sowing Season:

  • Temperate/Cool (e.g., Victoria, Tasmania): Autumn to Early Spring (sow successionally every 3 weeks for non-stop greens).

  • Subtropical: Late Autumn through Winter.

  • Tropical: Late Autumn to Mid-Winter (grow in cooler, shaded positions).

• Sun Position: Full Sun to Partial Shade (appreciates light afternoon shade during warmer shoulder seasons).

• Sowing Depth: 10mm–15mm deep.

• Plant Spacing: 20cm–30cm apart between plants (thin baby leaf crops to 10cm).

• Plant Height: 25cm–35cm tall.

• Germination Temp: 10°C–20°C (germination drops significantly in soil temps above 24°C).

• Germination Time: 7–14 days.

• Seed to Bloom/Harvest Time: 40–50 days (harvest outer baby leaves from 30 days).

• Gardener’s Tip: Direct sow seeds into rich, nitrogen-rich soil amended with well-rotted compost. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent stress bolting. Harvest outer leaves individually to allow the central crown to continue producing fresh growth throughout the season.

30 seeds per pack