Properties of Matador spinach:
Spinach is a short, 38-40 day old, spring or autumn crop, suitable as a pre- or post-plant. When planted as a pre-sowing crop, it can be replaced by short-season carrots, parsley, cucumbers, beets and winter radishes.It is normally a biennial but is typically harvested in its first year, when it reaches its mature size of approximately 45-50 cm. The leaves are rounded, uniform, thin-textured, medium green to dark green in colour.
Why eat spinach?
A variety with a large leaf mass. It has a distinctive flavour, making it a divisive plant, but its high protein, mineral and vitamin content makes it worth eating.
Environmental requirements of Matador spinach:
Soil requirements:
Soil rich in organic matter and humus, well-drained and loose textured soil is ideal for it, but it also grows well in normal garden soil that has been fertilized the previous year.
Light requirements:
A medium light demanding plant, semi-shade is ideal for late sowing or planting.
Water requirements:
Medium water demand. It requires less water when sown in situ or more water when planted in seedlings.
Temperature requirements:
Low heat requirements, optimum temperature between 15-16 °C, but can survive mild frosts
Nutrient requirements:
Among nutrients, it requires more nitrogen than other leafy greens as it has a direct effect on leaf yield.
How do we care for Matador spinach?
For a low maintenance plant, the most important tasks are weeding, watering and head-dressing for an abundant yield. After planting the seedlings, water the plants several times in small doses. Harvesting can be started when the plant has at least 5 to 6 lobed leaves.
What to look out for?
Spinach peronospora can appear during dry periods
Growing tips:
Seed sowing time:
Spring sowing:
Sow seeds from March to April for spring production.
For autumn sowing:
Sowing from August to September.
From spring to autumn, sow from spring to autumn:
30-40 cm x 8-10 cm row and stubble spacing.
Harvesting:
For spring sowing:
April to June.
Autumn sowing:
From September to the end of October.
