Spinacia Oleracea Matador

500 seeds

🗓️ When to Sow

• Spring Crop: Sow as soon as the soil can be worked — 2–4 weeks before the last frost.

• Fall Crop: Sow in late summer to early autumn, about 6–8 weeks before the first frost.

• Spinach grows best in cool weather (optimum 10–18°C / 50–65°F).

🌱 How to Sow

1. Prepare the Soil

   • Choose a site with full sun to partial shade.

   • Loosen soil and enrich with compost if needed.

   • Ideal pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly alkaline is okay).

2. Sow the Seeds

   • Sow directly into the ground.

   • Depth: ½ inch (1–1.5 cm) deep.

   • Spacing:

     • Rows: 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart.

     • Plants: Thin to 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) apart once seedlings emerge.

3. Watering

   • Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.

   • Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

4. Germination

   • Time: 7–14 days.

   • Best germination occurs at cool temperatures (10–16°C / 50–60°F).

🌿 After Germination

• Thin seedlings once they have 1–2 true leaves.

• Use thinned seedlings as baby greens if desired.

• Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

🌾 Growing Tips

• Water regularly, especially during dry spells.

• Harvest outer leaves when they’re large enough, or cut whole rosettes.

• For continuous harvest, succession sow every 2–3 weeks.

• In hot weather, plants may bolt (flower prematurely); provide partial shade or choose cooler sowing times.