Spinach ‘Matador’ – a traditional, high-yielding variety with large, tender leaves.
This open-pollinated spinach variety is characterised by vigorous growth, large, fleshy leaves and a pleasantly mild, aromatic flavour. Its high leaf production and comparatively late bolting allow for abundant harvests over an extended period. It is particularly well suited to spring and autumn cultivation as well as overwintering.
Origin & History
‘Matador’ is a historic spinach variety that has been known in European and North American vegetable growing since at least the 1930s. One of the earliest references found to date comes from 1934, when it was offered in the American seed catalogue of Farmer Seed & Nursery Co. under the name ‘Matador or Giant Noble’. The catalogue described vigorous plants with large, smooth, thick-fleshed leaves, high yields and comparatively late development of flower stalks.
In the 1936 German seed catalogue of Carl Pabst, ‘Matador (Edel-Gaudry)’ appeared as a large-leaved, particularly winter-hardy and late-bolting variety. Haage & Schmidt also listed it in 1938 under the name ‘Matador (Edel Gaudry)’ as a fast-growing market variety. On 8 February 1940, the specialist journal Gartenbauwirtschaft explicitly recommended ‘Matador’ for spring sowing and highlighted its rapid growth, extended harvest period and breeding development. These historical records document a cultivation tradition spanning many decades and the variety’s importance in vegetable growing. ‘Matador’ continues to be preserved and propagated today as an open-pollinated variety.
Appearance & Characteristics
The plant develops a vigorous, spreading to semi-upright rosette of leaves and usually reaches a height of around 15–30 cm during the leaf-harvesting stage. Its rapid development and abundant leaf production contribute to its high yield. It is frost-hardy and suitable for overwintering cultivation; additional protection is recommended during severe or prolonged frost.
Leaf details:
Size: Large to very large and broad; young leaves can already be harvested at around 8–12 cm long
Shape: Oval to rounded, predominantly smooth, with at most a slightly blistered surface
Color: Rich medium to dark green
Texture: Tender, juicy and thick-fleshed
Flavor: Mild, pleasantly aromatic and characteristically spinach-like
Usage & Cultivation Highlights
The large, fleshy leaves of ‘Matador’ are suitable both for harvesting as young leaf spinach and for using fully developed leaves. When harvested young, they are an excellent addition to fresh salads, while larger leaves are particularly well suited to steaming, casseroles, fillings and other cooked vegetable dishes. Its abundant leaf production also makes the variety suitable for larger harvests and for preserving by blanching and freezing.
Its rapid growth, high yield and comparatively late bolting are particularly advantageous. Under suitable conditions, this allows ‘Matador’ to remain productive for leaf harvesting over an extended period. In addition to early spring sowings, the variety is also suitable for autumn crops that can be harvested into winter or in the following spring. In regions with hot summers, cultivation during the cooler part of the year is recommended, as high temperatures and long days can encourage premature bolting.
Compared with other spinach varieties, ‘Matador’ combines large, fleshy leaves and high yields with suitability for spring, autumn and overwintering cultivation. This combination makes this long-established, open-pollinated variety particularly well suited to home gardens and growing your own food.
